How to EASILY Crate Train your Dog or Puppy! Episode 24, by Nate Schoemer on YouTube. 14 min 4 s.
- Video length
- 14 min 4 s
- Time to do it
- 15 minutes a day for 1 to 2 we
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 9
What you need
Steps
Choose a crate your dog can stand up in, turn around and lie down in. Too much extra space tempts a puppy to toilet in one corner and sleep in the other.
Teach a marker word such as yes, or charge a clicker, before you begin. Pair the marker with a small treat until your dog looks for the treat the moment it hears it.
Put the crate in a busy room and leave the door open. Toss a treat inside and let your dog wander in on its own, then mark and reward.
Feed meals inside the crate with the door open for a few days. This builds a good association without any pressure.
Once your dog walks in easily, close the door for a few seconds while it eats, then open it before any fussing starts.
Build time in small jumps: ten seconds, then thirty, then a minute. Reward calm behaviour and open the door while your dog is still quiet.
Add distance. Step one pace away, return, and reward. Then move two paces, then leave the room for a few seconds and come back.
Move the crate to your bedroom for nights. Take your dog out to toilet last thing, keep water limited an hour before bed, and settle it in with a treat.
Practise a short session every day and never use the crate as punishment. Let your dog out when it is calm, not while it is whining or scratching.
Tips and common mistakes
Remove collars, harnesses and dangling ID tags before crating so nothing can catch on the bars.
A tired dog settles far faster, so walk and toilet your puppy right before crate time.
Wait for a split second of quiet before you open the door, or whining gets rewarded.
As a rough guide, a puppy can hold its bladder about one hour per month of age, so plan toilet breaks.
Questions
How long does crate training take?
Most puppies accept the crate within one to two weeks of short daily sessions. Some take longer, so keep sessions calm and brief rather than forcing it.
Should I cover the crate with a blanket?
A light blanket over the top and sides can help a dog settle by blocking out distractions. Leave the front open for airflow and keep the room at a comfortable temperature.
What if my puppy cries at night?
Take it out for a quiet toilet break, then put it straight back with no play. Keep the crate beside your bed at first and slowly move it further away over a week or two.
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.
