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I crate trained my puppy, and here’s why I recommend it
I got my first-ever puppy this year, an apricot Cavapoo called Remy who is now just over five months old. Every time I take him anywhere I get the same remark over and over again. “Wow, he’s so well-behaved! How is he so good?” For that, I have one answer – crate training.
I’d been researching dog training long before I even looked for a puppy as I wanted to be the most prepared I could possibly be. As I was reading websites and watching videos on TikTok, crate training kept coming up time and time again, and it’s the best thing I could have ever done.
What is crate training?
Crate training is teaching your dog to relax and sleep in a confined crate which is placed somewhere in your home. As explained by the American Kennel Club, this isn’t “imprisoning” your dog, it’s about creating a safe environment and a space that belongs to them.
Dogs are naturally den animals who enjoy being in small, enclosed places. So, the crate gives them a feeling of security and helps calm anxiety. However, this should not be confused with a dog being “caged up”.
Crate training doesn’t mean you keep them in the crate all day. They still have freedom but can be put in there during certain times like eating, sleeping and calming down. This creates a routine, which contributes to a well-behaved dog.
Plus, it takes a lot of the stress away for you too. A puppy is always getting up to no good and you need eyes in the back of your head to stop them getting into mischief. Being able to put your pet in a crate allows you to get on with your day while knowing they are safe.
I crate trained my puppy
Before bringing Remy home, I set up his crate in the living room and made it feel cosy. I filled it with blankets, added a teddy containing a heartbeat for extra comfort (they think it’s one of their littermates) and put a cover over the top to block out the outside world.
Then, I started making it a positive space by luring him in there with treats and rewarding him every time he went in there on his own. I began by keeping the door open, but slowly started closing the door for short intervals to get him used to it.
From those early days, I initiated a set routine with structured naps and breaks in the crate throughout the day, and he slept in there at night from day one too. The first few nights are the hardest as puppies usually whine for comfort, but you have to persevere.
Puppies need to sleep a whopping 18 to 20 hours of the day when they’re young, the American Kennel Club adds, and encouraging them to nap in a safe place like a crate is key to having a happy, healthy and well-rested puppy.
Fast forward three months and Remy now loves his crate. He sees it as his safe space and often takes himself in there to chew his bones or have a nap. Plus, he takes himself off to bed every night at 10pm too – and likes being in there when home alone.
Why I recommend it
I would recommend crate training to anyone for a whole host of different reasons:
- You can leave them unsupervised: You can pop them in the crate when you nip to the shops or do the cleaning and know they won’t get up to no good.
- Helps with toilet training: Puppies generally don’t like to go to the bathroom their own space, so will learn to control their bladder more quickly.
- Gets them into a good routine: You can get into a daily routine with crate time at the same time every day, making your life easier.
- Helps settle them into new environments: Taking the crate with you when you go away for the night helps them feel instantly settled.
- Stops them destroying the house: Puppies are renowned for chewing everything, from shoes to furniture, but they can’t do that while in a crate.
- Reduces stress and anxiety: Nobody wants an anxious dog, and crate training reduces stress by making the puppy feel calm and safe.
- Stops them from getting overtired: The crate allows you to force structured naps at certain times of the day, making sure they get enough sleep.
The Humane Society of the United States has a free online guide explaining exactly how to crate-train your puppy. However, training is a very personal thing, so it’s important to do what’s right for your pet and lifestyle.
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