E. Corson Strand asked:

Crate training your puppy is one of the first, basic dog training techniques that you must know how to implement soon after bringing your puppy home. I want to assure you that this is not difficult, and I will show you the specific steps necessary to begin introducing your puppy to its crate.

First, the crate is your puppy’s friend, and you can begin training it to the crate at around 8 weeks. However, if your puppy is younger, and if you have a crate in your house, you may find that the puppy is naturally curious about the it. If you leave the door open, you can let the puppy explore on its own volition.

In crate training, it is important to also realize that your puppy will instinctively desire its own den. It is fairly easy to harness your dog’s own instinct and curiosity by simply preparing the crate space for it and leaving the door open. By preparing the crate space, I mean put the puppy’s own, special bedding inside along with a water dish. Be sure to include a toy or two and/or something to chew on.

In the beginning, just leave the door open and perhaps entice it inside with a bit of kibble or a small slice of cheese. At this stage, do not force the puppy inside. Give the puppy a chance for it to assume “ownership” of the crate. This won’t take long. We also suggest that you begin feeding him some of his meals in the crate. This will also help let the puppy adjust to the crate and allow him to consider it his own den.

In the early stages of crate training, only put the puppy in during the night when you are asleep. It may be necessary to endure some puppy whining. It is all right to comfort the puppy, but don’t let it out just because it is whining. At all other times, the crate door should be left open. The puppy should only be locked in the crate when you are away from your residence. The crate should be big enough to allow your dog to turn around, but not so large that it has enough room to use a corner for a toilet.

As your puppy becomes accustomed to the crate, you can do crate training at other times than at bedtime. Put him in the crate, close the door, and stay with the puppy for a short time. Keep the time short, but gradually increase the time during the training. Stay with the dog, but do not let it out because it is whining. Wait until the dog stops whining, give it a treat and praise, and then let it out.

Proceed in the manner described above. After a while, you can start leaving the house. Gradually, the puppy will learn to adapt to the crate. However, the timing for this is not exact and will vary from dog to dog and puppy to puppy.

If you follow the steps I have outlined, you will succeed in crate training your puppy in a humane fashion that will leave your pet happy and satisfied with its new den.