How do I get my puppy to like his crate?

1. Start Slowly. …
2. Slip Him Treats. …
3. Add His Favorite Toy. …
4. Put a Blanket Over It. …
5. Use a Radio. …
6. Avoid Using It as Punishment. …
7. Always Leave It Open.

People claim that puppies “naturally love crates” or “They are den animals, so they will take right to it” all over the internet, so if our puppy dislikes their crate, we are left wondering what went wrong.

Crating can be controversial. However, I like to ensure that every dog that enters my house feels at ease in a crate.

They will then have had positive exposure to the crate if they ever need to travel or be hospitalized, making those stressful situations a little bit easier.

When a dog feels cold plastic on their paws or, worse, metal wire, they are not going to love their crate. Dogs prefer soft, firm spaces to rest. Your dog may be seen lying on your kitchen or hardwood floors, but it’s probably more for the coolness than the comfort. Having a soft place to rest can also assist in easing joint pain and preventing the development of elbow calluses. If you want the best support and comfort for your dog, think about PACK&DEN beds.

It will take some time for your dog to warm up to their crate. But given time, your dog will come to regard it as their personal home.

When your dog is in his crate after meals or whenever you can close the door, extend the time you leave it closed by a few seconds at a time until you reach a minute. While he’s there, gradually start to put some distance between you and the crate. Before closing the door, put a favorite toy inside if walking away upsets your dog. This may help divert him.

Remember that the crate is a nice, calm place. Therefore, do not force your dog to enter if he is not ready. Set a few treats inside. Let him walk past. Sniff. Be positive about any interaction he has with it. Your dog will quickly develop a love for their crate if you’re excited about it. Start moving the treats farther back so he has to go in a bit deeper if he only reaches them by going in as far as necessary. Eventually, he should become comfortable putting all four paws inside.

The process takes time, but it’s absolutely worth it. While using a crate may be convenient for you, your dog will actually benefit from having his own space to retreat to in times of stress or fear. Your dog will adore their crate and view it as a haven if it is used and introduced in the right way.

Clubs Offering:

Crate training isnt “imprisoning” your dog. It gives them their own space and can calm anxiety.

Create positive associations with the crate through the use of treats and games.

Be patient — crate training can take six months of consistent training.

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We all want a well-behaved dog that doesn’t tear things up and goes to the bathroom outside — and dog crate training is an important part of that. A crate creates a safe environment for your dog and a space that belongs to them.

Although many people think of crates as being “caged up,” dogs are naturally den animals, and the majority of them enjoy being in small, enclosed spaces. When taught to use them from an early age, crates can reduce anxiety because they give them a sense of security.

We talked to Anna Flayton, senior dog trainer for PUPS Pet Club in Chicago, for her advice on how to crate train your dog.

How to get your puppy to like their crate

Making a connection between the crate and the puppy’s favorite things is essential.

This one-minute video we made on crate training your puppy is available here:

Many people make the error of only using the crate when they are departing. Puppies are intelligent, and they will quickly understand that being in the crate means being by themselves.

Please read our article on how long you can leave your dog alone at home.

Once your puppy establishes that connection, they will object to being in the crate.

The same steps you would take for a puppy who has never seen a crate before apply to getting your puppy to like their crate once more.

If a puppy has decided they don’t like their crate, there will probably be more trepidation, so you must be persistent in your praise. It can also be a good idea to switch up the appearance of their crate by moving the mat, the toys inside, or even the location.

Changing up the toys can also be beneficial, and for this, we recommend Bark Box because you’ll receive a fresh box of entertaining toys and treats each month!

It’s vital you make positive associations with their crate.

Here is how:

Hide some treats in the crate.

Sit down near your puppy’s crate, and let your puppy sniff around.

If they sniff the crate (even on the outside) say, “yes!” and slip your puppy a treat.

If they step in the crate, even if it is just to get the treats inside of it, say “yes” and treat.

Do your best to ignore your puppy if they come out of the crate. All attention and treats happen in the crate during the training session.

If your puppy refuses to approach their crate, we must simplify the exercise. This is particularly helpful for a puppy that no longer enjoys its crate.

You can begin by rewarding your puppy when they look in the direction of the crate with a “yes!” and a treat.

See how the handler marks a behavior with a clicker rather than a “yes” in the brief video below. Be consistent with whatever signal you use so the puppy knows when they have earned a reward.

Along with the aforementioned shaping exercise, you can also feed your puppy inside the crate and place toys inside for them to play with.

Even better, you can delight your puppy by applying some peanut butter to the back of their crate.

Your puppy will be eager to enter the crate to see what they might discover if you hide treasures inside it throughout the day.

Eventually, you will put this behavior on a verbal cue. Use a cue like “crate” to direct your puppy toward the crate when he is on a treasure hunt. When your puppy places any feet inside the crate, reward him with “yes!” and treats.

Read our article: Puppy Outgrows Their Crate: (Crate too Small? When to Stop?) if your puppy dislikes their crate because it is too small for them.

Considering how much our dog adores his, I also want to add my two cents and suggest these lovely dog blankets.

You can get one here if you want one for your dog, too!

FAQ

What do I do if my puppy hates his crate?

Throw a few treats or toys inside at first to help him become accustomed to entering and exiting on his own without being enclosed. Feed meals inside the crate to help establish a good association. Close the door briefly while your dog is eating his meal or treat once he is confident entering and exiting on his own.

How do I get my puppy to stop crying in his crate?

1. Ignore the whining behavior. …
2. Pick the right-size crate. …
3. Get your puppy comfortable with the crate. …
4. Make sure to provide plenty of potty breaks. …
5. Make sure to consider crate placement. …
6. Give your puppy plenty of exercise.

Is it OK to force puppy into crate?

Your dog will become fearful and distressed if they are forced into the crate. When they’re pushed inside, they’ll want to fight right away. In their minds, the crate will be associated with punishment. Always let your dog enter the crate on their own.

How long is it OK to let a puppy cry in crate?

Most of the time, we advise waiting five minutes or longer before letting your dog out of their crate. The best case scenario is that your dog cries a little bit, but settles down and goes to sleep in less than 30 minutes.