How to Kennel Crate a Puppy

Crate training your puppy is an effective tool for housebreaking. It might preserve your furniture, and provide a safe, controlled environment for the puppy while it is unsupervised. Dogs in the wild use a den where they sleep, raise their pups, hide from danger or take refuge in a storm. These natural instincts reflect similarly when crate training your puppy.

Things You'll Need

  • Crate or Kennel
  • Bedding
  • Toys
  • Treats
  • Kennel Water Bottle
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Instructions

    • 1

      The most common kennels for puppy training are airline and wire crates. Airline crates are made of thick plastic, and are enclosed on all sides; they have one point of entry and exit secured by a latch mechanism. Wire crates are made of a sturdy wire, with no ceiling or floor, and can be secured by a clip or a lock.

    • 2

      The size of the crate should be large enough that the puppy can stand up, turn around and stretch. There should be at least 4 inches of room above the puppy's head when it is sitting or standing. The crate should be large enough to accommodate your puppy when it reaches adulthood. Be sure to associate the crate with a phrase and a physical command; point to the crate and saying "kennel." This will train the puppy to enter the crate upon command.

    • 3

      Let the puppy familiarize itself with the crate. Leave the door to the crate open, and place treats or toys inside. Give positive reinforcement by praising the puppy when it enters the crate. Feed the puppy in or near the crate to create another pleasant association.

    • 4

      Close the entrance to the crate once the puppy is comfortable feeding inside. Close the crate's door, but open it when the puppy has finished eating. For every successful feeding, prolong the time the puppy is allowed outside the crate; permit up to 10 minutes at a time. Crate the puppy while you are at home. This will mimic the schedule the puppy will experience when unattended.