Crate training can be a great way to house-train your puppy, give him a space to stay in while you're away and a place to hide when he wants to get away. One of the most annoying things about crate training, though, is the puppy that barks or whines for attention while you are trying to train him to stay in his crate. Often you begin to feel so sorry for your puppy, or become so irritated, that you give up and let him out. This just leads to more barking and whining the next time your puppy goes into the crate. For this, you need to start at the beginning again.
Things You'll Need
- Crate
- Food
- Food and water bowls
- Puppy toys and treats
Instructions
Feed your puppy all of his meals in the crate with the door open, first placing the bowls just inside the crate's door, then moving the bowls further and further inside.
Give a cue that you want to associate with going into the crate every time your puppy goes inside, whether he's going to eat or is just exploring. Do not give this cue if your puppy just goes near the crate.
Close the door to the crate only when your puppy has been going completely inside to eat and seems comfortable with the crate.
Let your puppy out a few minutes after he has finished eating, but only if he is quiet. If he starts barking while inside the crate, ignore him until he is quiet again. By letting him out while he is barking, you are teaching him that barking means he gets to come out.
Have your puppy stay in the crate for gradually longer and longer periods after he has finished eating.
Crate your puppy between meals so he begins to grow accustomed to being in his crate without food, and repeat steps four and five. Keep a few toys in his crate so that he doesn't get bored. He should be going into the crate without fuss by this point; if he still doesn't want to go in, either you have rushed the training or he is uncomfortable in the crate. If you think you may have gone too fast, go back to step one.