If you acquired your puppy from someone who already acclimated it to a crate, you're ahead of the game. Crate training puppies can be a frustrating--and ear-splitting--experience. If the puppy is already used to sleeping in a bed, it may protest loudly at being put in a crate. Crate training puppies is important because it keeps them (and your belongings) safe when you can't watch what they're up to, and it makes potty-training easier. Making the crate a rewarding place for the puppy to be is easier than you think.
Instructions
1. Purchase a crate large enough for your puppy to stand up and turn around in. To use the same crate as he grows, buy one with a divider that can be adjusted for his size. If you give a young puppy too much room, she may potty on one end and sleep in the other.
2. Feed your puppy every meal in his crate. This gives you two or three opportunities per day to make a strong, positive association with being in the crate. If she's unwilling to go inside to eat at first, place the dish as close to the crate as you can and gradually move it into the crate.
3. Play games using the crate. Toss treats or toys in there for your pup. When he's in the crate, encourage him to stay there for a minute or so by tossing more tiny treats towards the back of the crate, and petting or playing with him inside the crate.
4. Leave him in the crate for several minutes while you're still home. Increase the time, and start leaving the room while he's in the crate. If he only gets put in the crate when you leave the house, he'll associate the crate with your absence and will probably resist.
5. Have a command for him to go into the crate and use it every time. When you let him in and out of the crate, be calm about it. Acting very excited when he's going in or being let out may raise his stress level, or overstimulate him, according to the Denver Dumb Friends League.
6. Make bedtime rewarding by giving your puppy a safe chew toy reserved only for bedtime crating. Set the crate by your bed. If she's used to sleeping in your bed, she'll be confused and unhappy if you start isolating her at night. Dogs are social animals, and your pup will want to be with her "pack," especially at night.
7. Wear ear plugs at night, if your puppy is vocal in her crate despite being conditioned to use it. If you give in and let her out and on to your bed, she will never learn to settle down in her crate. She'll learn that if she fusses long and loud enough, you will let her out.
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