Teach Your Puppy to LOVE Their Crate, by Diamond Dog Training on YouTube. 12 min 27 s.
- Video length
- 12 min 27 s
- Time to do it
- 2 weeks of short daily session
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 8
What you need
Steps
Place the crate in a busy room with the door open and never push your puppy inside. Let it sniff and walk in on its own.
Feed every meal with the bowl just inside the crate, door open. Move the bowl a little deeper each day as your puppy gets confident.
Play a crate game: toss a treat inside, let your puppy go in and eat it, then toss another outside. Repeat a few times so going in is fun.
With the door open, reward your puppy for staying in the crate a few seconds at a time. Build up slowly to longer stays.
Close the door for one second, feed a treat through the bars, then open it. Repeat and add a second or two each session.
Once the door closes calmly, step back a few paces and return before your puppy fusses. Slowly increase the distance and time.
Give a stuffed Kong in the crate with the door closed so your puppy settles and chews. Keep sessions short and end on a good note.
At night, put the crate near your bed so your puppy can see and smell you. Expect a few short wake-ups in the first weeks.
Tips and common mistakes
Never use the crate for punishment or push a scared puppy in, as this makes fear worse.
If your puppy already fears the crate, go back to feeding meals at the open door and start again slowly.
Do not leave a crying puppy to scream for long stretches; shorten sessions and return before panic sets in.
Keep sessions to a few minutes and stop while your puppy is still enjoying it.
Questions
How long does crate training take?
Most puppies accept the crate within one to two weeks of short daily sessions. Nighttime settling can take longer, so stay patient and consistent.
Should the crate be in my bedroom at night?
Yes, keeping the crate near your bed helps a young puppy feel safe and lets you hear when it needs to go out. Move it later once your puppy is settled.
What if my puppy cries with the door closed?
Go back a step and practise closing the door for just a second with treats. Build up slowly and never let your puppy panic.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
