--- title: How to Crate Train a Puppy description: Efficiently crate train your puppy with positive reinforcement and time limits. Get tips on choosing the right crate, making it comfortable, and ensuring a smooth transition. authors: - name: Víctor Rosario role: Staff Writer url: https://money.com/author/victor-rosario/ bio: Víctor Rosario was a staff writer for Money, where he wrote about home warranties, credit cards and insurance and pet insurance. education: University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus at_money_since: 2022 articles: 66 covers: - Insurance - Business - Career Advice - Education - Housing - Identity Theft - Mortgages - Pets former_staff: true editors: - name: José Omar Rodríguez role: Content Manager url: https://money.com/author/jose-omar-rodriguez/ bio: As an editor, José Omar specializes in personal finance topics and in-depth company reviews. His work has been featured in publications such as the Sacramento Bee, the Miami Herald, and the Kansas City Star. education: University of Puerto Rico at_money_since: 2019 articles: 21 covers: - Insurance - Banking - Business - Career Advice - Credit - Credit Cards - Economy and Politics - Housing - Identity Theft - Investing - Lifestyle - Loans - Mortgages - Pets - Professional Services - Retirement - Taxes - Technology published: '2024-01-12T17:05:06.000Z' modified: '2024-06-05T15:58:54.000Z' section: Insurance word_count: 900 canonical: https://money.com/how-to-crate-train-a-puppy/ type: Article source: structured-blocks --- > **Disclosure:** We research all brands listed and may earn a fee from our partners. Research and financial considerations may influence how brands are displayed. Not all brands are included. [Learn more](https://money.com/page/disclaimer/). ![How to Crate Train a Puppy](https://money.com/content.money.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Evergreen-How-To-Crate-Train-Puppy.jpg?crop=0px%2C177px%2C2880px%2C1620px&resize=1012%2C569&quality=85&strip&ssl=1) Presented by: ![](https://s3.consumersadvocate.org/prd/image/image/22585/27b8ea98-4c17-46d3-8f95-cfb4ddc08f6b.png) Embrace can help protect your furry friend with a policy that stays within your budget. Get a free quote today. [Go to EmbracePetInsurance.com](https://money.com/pr/y37a413e6d86?ap_referrer=%2Fhow-to-crate-train-a-puppy%2F) ## How to Crate Train a Puppy: Quick Answer Crate training is most effective when the crate is associated with positive experiences, not punishment. Puppies should be crated for short periods, with the goal of transitioning to house freedom as they mature. Choose the right crate, make it comfortable, and be consistent in training to achieve the best results. Crate training, also called kennel training, is an important part of your new puppy’s house training. It can help dog owners build discipline for their young puppies while also helping the dogs feel comfortable in a safe space. Following these training tips can help to create a positive association between your new dog and its dog crate. ## Protect your furry friend with Embrace Pet Insurance ### Get up to 90% reimbursement on vet bills. Customized coverage is available. Select your state for a free quote. [GET FREE QUOTE](https://money.com/pr/x26462624330?ap_referrer=%2Fhow-to-crate-train-a-puppy%2F) ## Things to know before you start crate training a puppy ### It should not be used as punishment Pet parents will get better results from their pup if they associate the crate training process with positive feedback. Using chew toys and treats to create positive reinforcement with the crate during play time will help your puppy want to come into the crate willingly. ### There’s a time limit Dogs, especially puppies, cannot be crated indefinitely. According to the [Humane Society of the United States](https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/crate-training-101), puppies under six months of age shouldn’t have crate time that extends for more than three or four hours at a time. Even though puppies will restrain themselves from urinating or defecating in an enclosed area, they can’t control their bladders or bowels for an extended amount of time. ### It should be temporary Your goal should be to crate your dog until they are able to behave in the house alone without your supervision. You should aim to slowly transition your dog from a crate to an enclosed part of the house (such as the living room) before it gets accustomed to having full access to the house while you’re away. ## The best pet deserves the best coverage ### Get up to 90% reimbursement on vet bills with Healthy Paws — quality coverage tailored to your pet’s needs. Get a quote now. [VIEW PLANS](https://money.com/pr/odae17e6234d?ap_referrer=%2Fhow-to-crate-train-a-puppy%2F) ## Steps to Crate Train a Puppy ### Step 1: Choose the right crate for your puppy Crates come in different varieties, with the most common types being metal, fabric or plastic crates. They come in a wide range of sizes and some are collapsible. Choose the best one for your pet, keeping in mind that the crate should be large enough for your puppy to comfortably be able to stand up and move around. If your dog is still growing, you might opt to rent a crate from your local shelter or pet store. This way, you can trade up until you can get a permanent one when they reach full size. ### Step 2: Get your puppy accustomed to the crate Make the puppy crate a comfortable space and let your pup explore it on its own, leaving the crate door open for it to go in when it desires. Use treats, its favorite toy and a calm voice to make sure your puppy associates the crate with positive stimuli. Feeding them regular meals near the crate will also help your puppy grow more accustomed to being in it and associate it with a safe place. If they seem reluctant to enter, don’t force it. Instead, put its meal as far in the crate as the puppy will go to slowly make them comfortable to be around the crate. If your puppy is comfortable with taking its meals inside the crate, try closing it for limited periods of time. Try slowly increasing the length of time your puppy is locked inside each time. If they complain, you may have increased the time too quickly. Let it out and try a shorter time period next time until it becomes comfortable with a longer stay. ### Step 3: Crate your dog at regular intervals Once your puppy gets used to taking its meals in the crate, you can extend their stay in the crate throughout the day. You should have a specific word —such as ‘crate’ or ‘bed’— as a command to have them go in the crate. Once your puppy can stay in the crate for longer than 30 minutes without your supervision, try leaving them crated while you’re out of the house for brief periods and having them sleep in the dog bed inside the crate at night. For this, the [People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals](https://www.pdsa.org.uk/pet-help-and-advice/looking-after-your-pet/puppies-dogs/crate-training) recommends consistency: it’s better to stick to routine come nighttime as puppies are creatures of habit. If you’re going to have them sleep in the crate, it’s better to do it every night. ## Things to keep in mind when crate training a puppy ### It takes time Some puppies will be easier to train than others, which can vary depending on the breed, how young you started training them and how comfortable they are in enclosed spaces. Remember to be patient and always maintain a good demeanor around the crating process, using small steps and having your puppy be in the crate for short periods of time as it gets used to it. However, if your puppy seems to be unable to be crate-trained after consistent attempts, behavioral therapy may be necessary. Some of the [best pet insurance plans](https://money.com/best-pet-insurance/) may be able to help offset the costs of this type of therapy. ### Consistency is key As stated before, puppies are creatures of habit and will follow the patterns you teach them. The more consistent you are with your dog training, the easier it will be for your puppy to understand what you are trying to tell them. This is, after all, a collaborative process. ### Give your puppy a potty break before being put in the crate To minimize accidents inside the crate and have your puppy be as comfortable as possible, try to have your dog “do their business” before being crated. It's the best way to ensure your puppy won’t get anxious before you get back. ## Ensure your pet’s well-being with Embrace ### The company’s pet insurance policies provide quality coverage with up to 90% reimbursement. Get a quote that fits within your budget today. [GET FREE QUOTE](https://money.com/pr/n3fb8951cd6f?ap_referrer=%2Fhow-to-crate-train-a-puppy%2F) ## How to Crate Train a Puppy FAQs ### How long does it take to crate train a puppy? Although it varies, you should expect to spend several weeks or months crate training your puppy. While this may seem like a long time, the benefits of crate training will long outweigh the effort. ### How to potty train your puppy with a crate Your puppy will avoid using the crate as a bathroom, so it can be a good tool to help train it to use the potty for the first time. 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