Tips to Crate Train a New Puppy

We actually had no problem crate training Toby. He loves his little "dog cave" and runs back to lay in it when he wants a break from TV or street noise. I suspect it was so easy to train him since he was fostered for such a long time before we adopted him. While Toby was super easy to crate train, the foster puppies were another story.

Last fall, we fostered a 4 month Sheppard puppy. I would put him in his crate with no problem. Then I would try to leave the house. The cute little puppy suddenly seemed possessed- scratching biting, and thrashing about in the crate. One time, I came home and the crate had moved over 20 feet across the room! It was so frustrating and I actually worked from home for a few days so that I didn't have to endure the torture. So, I ask myself, what did we do differently with Toby?

1. We bought a crate that was appropriately sized for a puppy. I bought one at PetSmart, similar to this:

2. Line the crate with towels and a blanket to make it soft.
3. Throw treats into the crate and praise the puppy whenever he chooses to enter.
4. Slowly, as he grows accustomed to entering and leaving, close the door for a few seconds.
5. Each time, lengthen the time that the door is shut. Do not leave the puppy yet!
6. Eventually, leave the door shut for longer periods of time. Introduce 1 GREAT treat when he goes in. We used dehydrated chicken breast. You can place the crate near your couch, kitchen, etc. so that you are still nearby, but doing something else.
7. Start to leave the room, and eventually the house for a few minutes. When you leave, don't make a big deal over leaving. Same goes when you come home (just a few minutes later)
8. Continue to lengthen the time you leave. Keep in mind, you can't leave the puppy alone too long. I've heard the general guideline as 1 hour for each month the puppy is old.