Crate Training A Puppy: Your Complete Guide

Some people don't like the idea of crate training a puppy, but it's worth bearing in mind that lots of dogs enjoy small, cosy spaces which can help them to feel secure. In fact, if a dog has got used to going in a crate from a young age, it can even help them feel calmer if they're a bit anxious. Perhaps the best way to think of a crate is your puppy's own personal 'den'. 

Why crate train a puppy?

• A crate gives your puppy somewhere to go if they’re tired or they want to ‘escape’ for a bit.
• A crate is a great place for your puppy to sleep at night.
• A crate is a safe place for your puppy when you’re unable to supervise them.
• A crate can make toilet training easier as dogs naturally try to avoid making a mess where they sleep.
• A crate is useful when you need to keep your puppy safe and away from hazards such as a busy kitchen.
• A crate can help your puppy settle into new environments. It’s their little ‘home from home’.
• A crate that’s suitable for travel can make travelling with a dog easier.
• A crate can help contain your pet post-vet visit to help them heal faster

Crate or playpen: which does your puppy need?

Deciding between a crate or a playpen will depend on what your puppy needs. Both have their advantages and can work well alongside each other, but to help you decide, here’s a breakdown for what each is for:

• A crate suits a puppy who needs a small enclosed place to sleep and settle. They can help with toilet training, too.
• A playpen suits a puppy that needs safe containment while awake for longer stretches.

Most owners will end up employing both of these in their homes. Crate training is common for new puppies, and the playpen may be used alongside it when the dog is out of the crate to limit it from exploring too much of the home early on, especially if the puppy is alone or unsupervised temporarily.

How to set up a crate inside a playpen

If you’ve decided to get both a playpen and a crate, you’ll need to ensure the pen is big enough to hold the crate and still leave room for the puppy to stand, stretch, and move around. You should measure the footprint before buying to make sure there is enough space.

Some pens attach to crates so that the crate opening becomes the sleeping end of the pen.

The right layout will depend on the puppy’s temperament, routine, and the space available. Ask a trainer or behaviourist if you’re unsure.

How to choose the best crate for your puppy

Broadly speaking, there are three main types of crates to choose from – metal, plastic and fabric. What you choose depends on your puppy's preferences and the primary purpose of the crate.

It's important to get a crate that's the perfect size. It needs to be large enough for your dog to stand up in, turn around and lie down comfortably.

Make sure to remove any collars, harnesses, or coats before your puppy enters the crate, as loose fittings could catch on the bars.

Another option is to see if your local animal shelter has crates for hire.

How to crate train your puppy in 5 easy steps

Understanding how to crate train your puppy doesn’t need to be difficult, though it can take time for your puppy to get used to their environment. With patience and consistency over a few weeks, there’s no reason why your furry friend won’t come to love their ‘den’.

Step 1: Get ready 

Before you get your puppy near the crate, you’ll want to make sure it’s cosy and comfortable for them. Place it in a quiet, calm area away from direct heat or draughts. Add some comfy bedding, a non-spill water bowl and some of your puppy’s favourite toys. Covering the back half of the crate creates a really cosy, darker, safe haven for the puppy to feel secure and often helps them settle.

Step 2: Let your puppy explore the crate 

Once you’ve got the crate puptastically cosy, it’s time to let your furry friend explore it. The important thing here is to let your puppy do this on their own terms. You want to make sure the door is open and should never force your puppy into the crate. It’s fine to gently encourage exploration and treats can come in handy here. The PEDIGREE™ Tasty Mini puppy range is perfect for placing in your puppy’s crate. These treats are low in fat and contain Omega 3, Vitamin E and calcium. 

Step 3: Build up the time your puppy is in the crate 

Once your puppy is starting to get accustomed to their crate, you will want to start slowly building up the amount of time they’re in there. A good way of doing this is to feed them in their crate. (On which subject, don’t miss our tips on feeding your puppy.) It’s still important you make sure the door stays open, though. That step is coming next … 

Step 4: Closing the crate door 

Once you think that your puppy is getting used to being in their crate, you can start shutting the door. It’s important you take this very gradually, only shutting the door for the briefest amount of time at first and opening it again if your puppy shows any signs of wanting to get out. 

Step 5: Leaving your puppy in the crate 

When your puppy is seeing their crate as a nice cosy space they’re happy in, you can progress to leaving them in there unsupervised. Don’t do this for too long though – never more than three hours and much less for a younger puppy. Apart from anything else, a small puppy doesn’t have the bladder or bowel control to be in their crate for ages.

What to do if your puppy gets distressed in their crate

Following your puppy’s entry to the home, and the beginning of their crate training, it’s important that you observe their body language and check if they are displaying signs of fear or stress. Signs may include:

• Scrabbling at the crate door
• Whining or crying
• Scratching at the base of the crate
• Panting
• Refusing to enter the crate

If your dog is exhibiting any of these signs, pause the session and go back to the previous step. Only move forward with the crate training process once your puppy is calm. Crate training takes patience, and signs of stress mustn’t be ignored or written off as attention-seeking behaviours. 

Before you put the puppy in the crate, be sure to let them toilet outdoors to ensure that if they start crying or scrabbling at the floor or door, they aren't signalling the need to toilet.

Pushing forwards when your puppy is stressed will only make them see the crate as a negative place.

The dos and don'ts of crate training

Now that we’ve broken down how to crate train a puppy into manageable steps, let’s recap a few dos and don’ts: 

• Do be patient and consistent 
• Do make your puppy’s crate inviting 
• Do make sure your puppy goes to the toilet just before going into their crate 
• Don’t leave your puppy in their crate for too long Don’t try to do too much too soon 
• Don’t use the crate as a punishment
• Don’t leave your puppy in their crate wearing a collar or harness

Putting your puppy in the crate at night

If you've been sleep training your puppy, you might have thought about using your puppy's crate at night in which case, you're bound to have questions! 

Night-time crate training can really benefit your puppy and may even help your puppy sleep comfortably.

Is it okay to crate a puppy at night?

It's fine to crate a puppy at night. Their crate is a safe and cosy place for them to sleep. Covering the crate with a blanket and keeping it in a quiet spot can often help a puppy settle down faster and more easily than in an open room full of stimulating sights, smells, and sounds.

Should I put my eight-week-old puppy in a crate at night?

There's no reason why you shouldn't put an eight-week-old puppy in their crate at night. If you have only just brought them home, it can be a good idea to place a blanket that smells of their mum and their littermates inside the crate. Providing them with this familiar scent is likely to make them feel more comfortable in the new, unfamiliar environment.

Should you close the door on a puppy crate at night?

It's fine to close the door on your puppy's crate at night. This keeps them safe and often reduces any howling or whining. Your puppy will probably feel happier if you place the crate where they can see you.

What should I do if my puppy cries at night?

If your puppy cries at night inside their crate, you should first wait for a brief moment to see if they will self-settle.  

Let them out only if you think they need the toilet, as releasing them for any other reason will teach them that crying works.

When to speak to your vet or a behaviourist

You should speak to your vet or a canine behaviourist if you notice any of the following triggers:

• Distress that doesn’t improve after slowing the process right down
• Signs of separation anxiety such as destructive behaviour or toileting when left alone
• No progress at all after several weeks

It’s important to note that crate training should not be used to manage separation anxiety without professional guidance.

How long does it take to crate train a puppy?

All puppies are individuals which means it's impossible to say exactly how long it will take to crate train them.

That said, most puppies are comfortable with the door being shut for short spells within two to three weeks and are typically fully settled within four to six.

Things to consider before crate training your puppy

Before you can begin crate training your puppy, it’s important that you consider the following:

• Crate size – You should choose a crate based on the weight your puppy will be when fully grown, not its current size.
• Location in the home – Quieter areas can help your puppy settle more easily at nighttime.
• Playpen – You’ll need to decide whether or not a playpen is needed alongside the crate.
• Leaving the puppy – Consider how long the puppy will be left for.
• Patience – Think about the patience required for undertaking this kind of training.

How long can a puppy stay in a crate?

Daytime crate training will see your puppy needing frequent breaks to toilet, and there should be a daily maximum of a few staggered blocks. Three hours is the maximum amount of time a puppy under six months should be kept in their crate. Even if your puppy is able to hold its bladder for longer periods of time, this can negatively impact its health.

Nighttime can see the puppy stay in the crate for longer as its body slows down. At 10–14 weeks of age, they can typically last 6–8 hours overnight.

Make sure to observe your puppy, though, as forcing them to stay past their limit will prompt them to toilet in the crate and can cause distress.

Crate training a puppy: FAQs

Is crate training cruel?

No. Comfortable, cosy, clean, and safe crates are used by puppies as a form of den, not as a punishment. It is an approved training method by vets and behaviourists, and, with enrichment such as puppy-safe toys, can help a new puppy settle comfortably into the home.

At what age should a puppy start crate training?

Around ten weeks, which is the age most puppies come home at. Younger puppies accept a crate more readily than older ones, as it becomes part of their new normal.

Can I crate train an older dog?

Yes. How to crate train a dog is the same no matter the age, though for an older dog it is often a slower process.  Any negative previous experience with crates will make the process take even longer.

What are the most common crate training mistakes?

Shutting the door too soon, leaving the puppy in for too long, using the crate as punishment, using an incorrectly sized crate, and ignoring signs of clear distress are all common crate training mistakes.

Should I leave my puppy to cry in their crate?

You should wait briefly to see if they will resettle, but if they don’t, then you should reassure them quietly without opening the door or making noise. Do this by resting a palm on the crate so they can smell you.

Only let them out if you think they need the toilet.

Find more puppy training advice here.