Crate Training Definitive Guide - Why and How to do it

—————SUPPLIES—————
Some of the links below are affiliate links. These won't cost you anything, but the commissions we may earn through them help offset the cost of dog treats. Thanks for your support!

CRATE LINERS & PADS

Maxx Dog Bed
This is just like the Kong mat/pad without Kong pricing.

Simmons Beautyrest Orthopedic Memory Foam
Actually pretty affordable for a Simmons!

4” Orthopedic Pad w/washable cover
This one is spendy but WOW I’d even sleep on this.

WATER BOTTLES

The reviews are spotty on the Lixit brand but, as one reviewer pointed out: “This company uses USA Adults with Disabilities to assemble this product, there is a chance that some are assembled incorrectly (not machine assembled)….” Evidently any leaking is a super easy fix.
I kind of want to support this company.

—————WORK-TO-EAT TOYS for TRAINING—————

Classic Kong

Kong Extreme

PetSafe Barnacle

PetSafe Squirrel Dude

—————PUPPY PLAY DEN PLANS—————

See our video on putting it together:

Read about it on DogStar Daily:

Read about it at Open Paw:

—————OTHER RELATED VIDEOS—————

Power Tip #3: Crate Game One—Bait + Restrain

Power Tip #4: Crate Game Two—The Bait Locker

Kong Training Video:

Simpawtico’s Crate Training/Alone Time playlist:

Visit the Learning Center on our website for step-by-step instructions with vids, downloadable handouts, and more!

Hungry for more in-depth training?

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Simpawtico Dog Training on the web and social media:

About this video: In this video Ian Stone from Simpawtico Dog Training discusses why Crate Training is an important consideration in your puppy or newly-adopted dog plans. We’ll show you how they’re used, what kinds are out there and when to use them, and offer up lot of tips to help you decide if, what, and how!

Affiliate Disclosure: Some of the links in the post above are affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, Simpawtico Dog Training, LLC will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, we only recommend products or services we use personally, and that we believe will add value to our readers. The price you pay is the same whether you use the affiliate link or not.

[SimpawticoDogTraining]

Looking for a specific piece of info? This video's timecodes:
2:40 Is a Crate Right for You?
4:46 Crate Types
7:42 Crate Sizing
8:16 Habituation
11:10 Using Your Crate

[christinawalsh]

My pup is now 5 1/2 months old now is is completely potty trained! Crate training worked wonderfully!!!! She even knows when it's time for bed at night and goes willingly. Very proud of my baby! : )

[kaitlyne]

I had a sheltie that LOVED finding a den to nap in. If she didn't have access to her crate, she was under furniture, exactly like you said. And we ALWAYS had to have her crate in the same room as her when we brought a new pet home and teach the new pet that her crate was off limits to them so she always had somewhere to go when she needed a break from them so she wouldn't end up nipping at them. It really helped her get along with new pets.

[tribum]

Key is "intelligent use of the crate". Thank you!

[saffysaffyrocks]

My old dog was adopted at age 6 and had been abused so we never crate trained him, he had his own corner in the house to go to to sleep but generally disliked being kept contained - he had fears of kennels and of closed spaces. But we’re starting to foster dogs now so it’s interesting to learn about how useful crate training can be!

[revallmccalla]

I use wire crates. For my last dog I wrapped a bedsheet around it to reduce her anxiety. Since I lived with others, she stayed in my room primarily, but we were able to get her out of the crate altogether once she felt like the house was hers. After that, she’d willingly go in to nap, relax and sleep. High praise for positive behaviors and consistency are key. Happy training!

[WeatherMoon]

I hated crates, until this last dog.

I love crates! The energy does change in the house when crated, even more calm than just on mat

[benitokiri]

His father was a viking and his mother was a wolf! This guy knows dogs. Thanks for the tips, this is been the best presented youtube dog training video I have found so far!

[Jazdancin]

I have just started watching your videos Ian, and I am very impressed. I always get a bit of an "ick" feeling when these training videos include advertising, and I appreciate that that is not your first priority (or priority at all). I am getting my first dog in a month, a puppy. So much to learn, and I feel so overwhelmed! Your straightforward, no nonsense approach as helped me already! Thank you for this awesome, free content. If you write a book, I WILL BUY IT!

[blazetownsend]

I used a crate to make a den. I just left the door open and covered it in blankets. My dog loved that and it helped easy her anxiety. She later had designated "safe zones." She hated crates being closed, but loved being in a den. Her anxieties flared badly when the door was closed.

[jacekczuba]

Very good material, especially the part explaining why the crate is not cruelty.
We have an almost year old puppy, mixed breed. He always stayed alone in our living room, just with a gate, limiting his "den" to this room, quite big one.
But we lately saw that he likes sometimes to hide under our bed or under by chair as I work at the computer. It's combined with some noise phobia. We immediately decided to buy a crate and train him so that he had his sweet, comfy and safe place. It's here only 2 days long but he already is able to walk freely into the crate and lay for a few minutes.
All in all, I think that I could remove the door as it's intended to be his safe place only, not to close him in there. Huge plus that cat loves the crate too and sleeps on it, plays with the dog on it, so it is becoming more and more accepted place. We need to make some kind of cover over it too.

Again, thanks for the really good video :)

[akitherandom]

I recently adopted a 1-2 year old dog from the shelter and he is just wonderful dog. He does tear up some stuff while we are gone, so we decided to get a crate for him and its coming in the mail today. We will only use it for when we are gone, possibly when people come over, and never for night time since he sleeps with us. Thank you for this!

[rebeccajesse]

Apparently my dog is too well crate trained and will run in there as soon as he sees a brush! Can you do a video on grooming and bathing?

[erinowl]

This is a comment about crates for vehicles.
Most dogs are treated like "toys" or "stuffed animals" in vehicles.
They are allowed to ride on the driver's lap, feet on steering wheel, heads hanging out the window, running around in the vehicle, etc.
Please consider these realities:
(1) you would NEVER let your child loose in a vehicle - no matter how old - they are travelling at the speed of the vehicle and when it comes to a stop, so do they - at that speed - even if it requires flying thru the windshield first until something stops them - forever
(2) eyewitness - a chihuauhua hanging out the driver's window at a toll booth who jumps out the window and is flattened by an oncoming tractor trailer - why?
(3) eyewitness - a van full of show dogs - labs - uncrated - in an accident on the interstate - the van "breaks open" - the dogs are running all over the interstate (you can guess the result) and running off into the "wilds" on the side of the interstate - the owner's/driver are incapacitated and unable to protect or gather their dogs - WHY?


PLEASE DOG LOVERS - LOVE your dog by CARING for your dog like you would for your own child:
CRATE it in the vehicle - this will be calming, no distractions for you and the dog will be safe if you get into an accident
OR
Use "seat belt restraints" for dogs.
Your dog doesn't need to hang out the window or have a "view" to ENJOY travelling with you.
You are endangering your life and your dog's life everytime you get into a vehicle - no matter how safe a driver you are, no matter how "big" your vehicle is and not matter how "short" the trip.
LOVE your dog. Restrain it safely.
Those crates ARE airline approved because in an accident, while the vehicle may be "broken open", the crate will probably be rolled around inside and your loved furry friend merely bruised or maybe a broken bone - but contained and transferrable to medical care.
I had to make an agreement with the breeder of my last dog that I would always only keep her in an airline approved crate (belted in) whenever I put her in the car. This "disappointed" me at first - all those dreams of riding with a "pet" in the vehicle.
But after three years - I would NEVER EVER EVER consider putting a dog in my vehicle unrestrained - either by belt if an immense dog in a small vehicle - or in a crate for every other dog.
THINK ABOUT IT.
You are responsible for protecting your dog as you would your child.
Thank you for reading this.
Your Pet's life depends on your decisions.

[travelfoodielove]

Crate training just makes my dog more independent and less needy. She likes her own space to this day still

[paulcunningham]

Really helpful video! We have just adopted a three year old Kokoni cross. She is sweet and gentle; completely toilet trained, and will happily go in her crate when we are around. She sleeps at night in her bed on the landing outside our bedroom. The problem comes when we need to leave the house; then she will wail, bark, drool excesively and has gnawed at the cage so much she made her mouth bleed!
We have tried pretending to leave for short periods; using the kong; leaving an item of clothing with our smell; background music, aromatherapy; ignoring the noise and rewarding calm moments (if they ever happen!) Someone advised to muzzle her in the crate, but I am not happy about this. Have not been able to leave the house for more than 1-2 hours at most since we got her.
Urgently in need of advice

[angeldoeep]

My dog loves her crate and will den up under end tables when we go to other peoples houses for an afternoon without the crate.

[cekfraun]

I am learning a lot from your videos! To answer your question, the way my dog would den up is to hide under my chair when I took him to the vet, or he would lie between my legs on the recliner at home. He died in February. I miss him. He was a good boy!

[sienna.]

My dog is 8 & 1/2 and she just had surgery. It required crate rest. She has never been in one in her life. She has still been a bit loopy so we set it up and just let her get comfortable with it being there. We waited and she went in herself multiple times. I’m voting to keep it after her time is up. She feels safe. My only issue is locking her in it. I don’t like doing it. I know it’s for the best but I have so much anxiety about it

[bethschaler]

We put a blanket from our puppy's breeder/mama in his crate the first day home and he followed it right in. He laid on the blanket in the crate with the door open the whole first day watching us and has loved the crate ever since.