How to Crate Train a Puppy: A 7-Day Plan
A gentle, reward-based crate training plan for puppies: choosing the right crate, a day-by-day schedule, night-time crying and mistakes to avoid.
Muhammad Junaid · · 3 min read
A crate gives your puppy a safe, quiet den and gives you a way to prevent accidents and chewing when you can't watch them. The goal is a puppy who walks into the crate by choice. That takes a week or two of short, positive sessions — never forcing them in.
Choosing the right crate
- Size: big enough to stand up, turn around and lie flat, but not much bigger. Too much space and puppies often use one end as a toilet. Many wire crates come with a divider so the crate can grow with your puppy.
- Type: wire crates are airy and easy to clean; plastic travel crates feel more enclosed and are needed for most air travel.
- Inside: a washable bed or blanket and one or two safe chew toys. Skip bedding for now if your puppy shreds it.
- Place: somewhere your puppy can see or hear the family, such as a corner of the living room. A second spot by your bed helps for the first nights.
The 7-day plan
Keep every session short and finish while your puppy is still relaxed.
| Day | What to do |
|---|---|
| 1 | Leave the door open. Drop treats near, then inside, the crate. Let your puppy explore at their own pace. |
| 2 | Feed meals inside the crate with the door open. Move the bowl further back each time. |
| 3 | Close the door for a few seconds while your puppy eats, then open it before they finish. |
| 4 | Give a long-lasting chew inside and close the door for 5–10 minutes while you stay in the room. |
| 5 | Repeat, then walk out of sight for a minute or two and come back calmly. |
| 6 | Build to 20–30 minutes with you moving around the house. |
| 7 | Short absences of 30–60 minutes, after a toilet trip and some play. |
If your puppy cries or panics at any step, go back to the last step they were happy with and progress more slowly.
Nights in the crate
Put the crate next to your bed for the first week or two. If your puppy wakes and whines, it usually means they need the toilet: take them out calmly on a lead, reward them for going, and put them straight back with no play. Most young puppies need one trip out during the night at 8–12 weeks.
Mistakes to avoid
- Using the crate as punishment. Your puppy must only link it with good things.
- Letting them out while they're crying. Wait for a moment of quiet, then open the door, so they learn that calm behaviour opens the door. (If the crying sounds like distress, go back a step in training instead.)
- Leaving them too long. Young puppies can't hold on for hours. Long crate stays lead to accidents and stress.
- Collars and tags in the crate. They can catch on wire. Take the collar off for unsupervised crate time.
How long does it take?
Some puppies are happy in their crate within a few days; others take two or three weeks. Keep it positive and consistent and it will become their favourite place to nap. For the bigger picture of your first days together, read our first-week checklist.
Frequently asked questions
How long can a puppy stay in a crate?
During the day, young puppies shouldn't be crated for longer than they can hold their bladder — roughly one hour per month of age, up to about four hours. Overnight is different because puppies sleep, but most still need one toilet trip at 8–12 weeks.
Should I cover my puppy's crate?
Many puppies settle better with a light blanket over the top and sides, which makes it feel more den-like. Leave the front partly open for airflow and remove the cover if your puppy pulls it in to chew.
Is crate training cruel?
Not when it's done gradually and the crate is a comfortable, positive place. Crates become cruel when they are used for punishment or for many hours at a time.