3. Gradual introduction

Introduce the crate to your puppy in a slow, gradual fashion. For the first few sessions, I typically crate train my puppy for approx 15 minutes. Then I would begin to increase the confinement period bit-by-bit.

Many dog owners don’t get this part down pat. Some crate train their puppies for hours even the first time around! A puppy that has never been subjected to this form of training should not be kept in the crate for more than 30 minutes.

Confine your pup for too long and he’ll start to develop anxiety issues and other headache-inducing misbehaviors!

Also, puppies that have gotten accustomed to their crates should not be held in confinement for longer than 3 hours and before you place your puppy in the crate, be sure he gets a little exercise first.

4. The 5-star crate

Yes, you should try and turn that bland looking crate into a 5-star crate! Naaaahhh…just make it comfy enough J

A small bowl of water is a must of course, and in addition to that, also put his favorite toy and lay a soft, comfy blanket in there so he can nap soundly. Your puppy will take to liking the crate a lot faster if you have it equipped with the right items.

5. The crate treat method

I already know how to crate train my puppy thanks to this super effective method known as “the crate treat method”.

This is one of the most workable puppy crate training tips around. Very suitable for ‘crate-virgin’ puppies and it only takes around 10 -20 minutes per session.

Here’s how it’s done:

Step A:

Before you get the puppy into his crate, put a small delicious treat in there first.

Step B: 

He’ll enter the crate to eat the treat, allow him to do so and DO NOT close the crate door yet. Let him leave the crate. This step is just a warm-up. Do this twice, maybe 3 times, max. Praise him when he enters the crate. Ok, next step…

Step C: 

This time place another very small treat so that he’ll enter the crate once again. However this time, when he’s eating the treat, you close the crate door. Don’t open it for at least 20 - 30 seconds and all the while you should you praise him. Say something like, “oh you’re such a good dog, good boy, it’s okay” etc.

• The goal here is to get your puppy to associate the crate with positive stuff i.e. treat + wonderful praises.

• Use very small treats because you don’t want to over feed him and remember to shower him with praise each time he enters the crate to get the treat.

Step: D 

1. Once the 20 – 30 seconds are up, open crate door to let him out but DO NOT praise him. Just give him a pat – that’s all.
2. Now, Repeat Step C around 3 – 5 times. Increase the time length for each interval i.e. 1st interval 20 seconds, 2nd interval 30 seconds, 3rd interval 40 seconds, and so on.
3. Conduct this method twice a day – do more if you got the time. You may see positive results if you keep it at it for a week or so, on a twice per day session.
4. Soon, your pup will learn to go to the crate on his own, and you may give some more of those little treats + praises. Shut the crate door and walk away.
5. Wait for 2 – 3 minutes then come back to the crate, let him out then walk away again without making a sound. It’ll seem natural at this point and that’s when you know that your pup has been crate-trained successfully. Congrats! :)

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