How do you take your pup from a playpen to a crate? One word: SLOW.
We love using appropriate playpens to help puppies transition into our homes, but moving them from a roomy pen into an appropriately sized crate can be a stressful change. Yet it you tackle this training early, your pup will be comfortable with being in a crate whenever needed.
Slow and steady wins the race—as with many things! Our goal is to avoid pushing our pup to stay crated longer than they’re comfortable with. Forcing them to remain in the crate too long, too early can create negative associations with the crate.
Does your pup sleep in a crate just fine at night, but seems anxious when placed in a crate during the daytime? This is a common issue. Puppies quickly figure out that you don’t typically leave after you put them in their crate at bedtime. But they may observe that during the day, you often place them in the crate then leave the house. Pups are genetically programmed to want to be close to their people. So it’s important for them to learn that going in a crate during the day does not automatically mean their people are leaving.
Step 1: Make the Crate a Positive Space
Start by leaving the crate open and allowing your dog to explore it at their own pace. One great game to encourage this is the Hi/Low Game!
Hi/Low Game
- Sit beside the crate with the door open and secured (so it won’t accidentally close and startle your pup).
- Toss a high-value treat into the crate.
- When your puppy enters the crate and eats the treat, toss a low-value treat outside the crate.
- Repeat!
- If your pup chooses to stay inside to get more of the better treats—great! Keep rewarding them with high-value treats inside the crate.
Examples of High-Value Treats:
- Hot dogs
- Cheese
- Freeze-dried raw food or treats
- Boiled chicken
Examples of Low-Value Treats:
- Cheerios
- Kibble
- Chopped carrots
Step 2: Increase Crate Time Comfortably
Once your pup is happily going in and out of the crate, it’s time to work on spending longer periods inside.
Crating with a Frozen Food Toy
Attaching a frozen food toy to the crate can encourage your dog to stay inside for longer, calmly engaging with the toy.
- Start by securing the toy near the crate door.
- Gradually move it further inside as your pup becomes comfortable.
Mealtime in the Crate
- Feeding meals inside the crate helps build positive associations.
- Once your pup enters readily, try closing the door while they eat and opening it before they finish.
Step 3: Teaching Your Pup to Rest in the Crate
Napping in the crate is essential for teaching your pup that the crate is a place to relax and rest.
Set the Scene for Success
- Use an audiobook as background noise—over time, your pup will associate it with calmness and sleep.
- Turn on a box fan to reduce outside noise.
- Place the crate near where you’ll be quietly spending time (e.g. near your desk chair when you’re about to spend time on your PC)
Encouraging Naps in the Crate
- Make sure your pup’s needs are met (physical & mental exercise, potty break, full belly).
- Place them in the crate with a frozen toy or small chew.
- Close the door and sit quietly nearby.
- Once they finish their treat, wait for them to settle—mild whining is okay as long as they’re not panicking.
- If possible, while they sleep, quietly open the crate door so they wake up with freedom to move.
Repeat this process until your pup readily associates the crate with naptime!
Every Dog is Different
Each pup’s ability to be calm and alone in the crate will vary. Genetics and learning history play a huge role in how dogs feel about confinement.
If at any point your dog seems distressed about being crated, stop and contact WAGD so one of our professional trainers can help create a custom training plan for you and your pup.