Crate Training Definitive Guide – Why and How to do it

Learn the why and how of crate training for dogs and how to do it right **** Download the FREE Simpawtico Basic Gear Buyer’s Guide here:

—————SUPPLIES—————

CRATE LINERS & PADS

Maxx Dog Bed

This is just like the Kong mat/pad without Kong pricing.

Simmons Beautyrest Orthopedic Memory Foam

Actually pretty affordable for a Simmons!

4” Orthopedic Pad w/washable cover

This one is spendy but WOW I’d even sleep on this.

WATER BOTTLES

44-oz. on Amazon:
44-oz. on Chewy:

The reviews are spotty on the Lixit brand but, as one reviewer pointed out: “This company uses USA Adults with Disabilities to assemble this product, there is a chance that some are assembled incorrectly (not machine assembled)….” Evidently any leaking is a super easy fix.
I kind of want to support this company.

—————WORK-TO-EAT TOYS for TRAINING—————

Classic Kong
Amazon:
Chewy:

Kong Extreme
Amazon:
Chewy:

PetSafe Barnacle
Amazon:
Chewy:

PetSafe Squirrel Dude
Amazon:
Chewy:

—————PUPPY PLAY DEN PLANS—————

See our video on putting it together:

Read about it on DogStar Daily:

Read about it at Open Paw:

—————OTHER RELATED VIDEOS—————

Power Tip #3: Crate Game One—Bait + Restrain

Power Tip #4: Crate Game Two—The Bait Locker

Kong Training Video:

Simpawtico’s Crate Training/Alone Time playlist:

Visit the Learning Center on our website for step-by-step instructions with vids, downloadable handouts, and more!

Hungry for more in-depth training?
Simpawtico's online course, "Dog Training Essentials:"
Simpawtico's online course, "Loose Leash Walking:"

*******

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About this video: In this video Ian Stone from Simpawtico Dog Training discusses why Crate Training is an important consideration in your puppy or newly-adopted dog plans. We’ll show you how they’re used, what kinds are out there and when to use them, and offer up lot of tips to help you decide if, what, and how!

Affiliate Disclosure: Some of the links in the post above are affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, Simpawtico Dog Training, LLC will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, we only recommend products or services we use personally, and that we believe will add value to our readers. The price you pay is the same whether you use the affiliate link or not.

39 Comments on “Crate Training Definitive Guide – Why and How to do it”

    1. LOL great on the crate training, but “whoops” on the grooming tools. I hadn’t thought about it, but I might do a video on that. There’s a handout on my website, but now that you mention it I think it might make a good video.

    2. @Simpawtico Dog Training I’d love a grooming video. Mine haaaates being brushed. And she shouts like I’m trying to kill her but I’m hardly touching her

      She’s sooo fluffy too so needs brushing 🤦

    3. I have been watching so many training videos since we brought our lil dude home. He is a border collie pup and your info had been hands down the most thorough. I love to understand why I am doing something, so I really appreciate your approach to these videos. Love the explanations & the bullet points. New favorite channel!!!! One question, do you have a video on how to get the family involved? I am currently the alpha lol and our pup is more attached to me than anyone which is bumming them out. I tried to tell them it is because I am the one doing it all 😂🤷🏼‍♀️ Thanks again for great videos!!!!

  1. Thank you very much – your videos are so clear, engaging, and full of both theory and practice! I volunteer with my local shelter to foster stressed out dogs. I would love to know more about how to work with dogs to focus on me when they are excited (dog-on-dog reactivity, excitement about children, in an energised play-bitey mood, etc).

  2. I absolutely love your videos! Your way of explaining dog training concepts is very easy to understand and the production quality of your videos is a cut above the rest. I would be interested in a video regarding how to introduce a puppy/new dog to existing pets including cats and small rodents. Thank you and keep up the great work!

  3. Looking for a specific piece of info? This video’s timecodes:
    2:40 Is a Crate Right for You?
    4:46 Crate Types
    7:42 Crate Sizing
    8:16 Habituation
    11:10 Using Your Crate

    1. There are several components to ways to potty train. One place I found which succeeds in merging these is the Sues Trainer Tactics (check it out on google) definately the best resource that I have ever heard of.Check out all the awesome information .

  4. My pup is now 5 1/2 months old now is is completely potty trained! Crate training worked wonderfully!!!! She even knows when it’s time for bed at night and goes willingly. Very proud of my baby! : )

  5. I love this guy.his information has been so helpful for me especially dealing with a troubled Staffordshire bull/American bull cross puppy. Definitly will be watching more videos ! And reccomending them !

  6. Just got a standard poodle puppy yesterday. I wish I had come upon your videos earlier. LOVE THEM!!! I have watched many different training videos to date and I find you just explain things super well. Keep up the awesome work!!!!

  7. Wow! this video helped me out alot. I had so many question about the type of crate I needed for my puppy and this video was a life saver.😁👍

  8. I’m really liking this video series! Great info and professionally produced. We have a problem and are desperate for a little advice. We got a 9 month old rescue Shiba Inu from China 8 days ago and are at our wits end. He had a urinary tract infection and giardia upon arrival which we just finished giving the meds for yesterday. We have been crate training him, but don’t know what to do at night. A trainer told us to let him “bark it out” which we did 2 nights ago. He barked for 2 hours, slept for 4 hours, then started barking at 3:30am. I took him out thinking he had to go, but he just wanted to play. After 10 minutes outside, I put him back in the crate and he barked a bit, then slept until 6:30am. Not too bad. So last night, we crated him and he only barked for a few minutes, but again at 3:30am, started barking and slamming against his crate. I came down and took him out, but after 15 minutes of waiting, he didn’t go. I put him in his crate and went back to bed. He barked for another 2-3 hours. When I came down around 6:15am, he had peed and pooped in his crate and also ate most of the poop, which he really seems to dig unfortunately. So what to do tonight? I really have to get some sleep! BTW, he has peed in his crate like 6 times since we got him, even like 30 minutes after he had peed. I’m getting tired of cleaning that thing out!

  9. My old dog was adopted at age 6 and had been abused so we never crate trained him, he had his own corner in the house to go to to sleep but generally disliked being kept contained – he had fears of kennels and of closed spaces. But we’re starting to foster dogs now so it’s interesting to learn about how useful crate training can be!

  10. Finally understand more about crate training. The information here is so comprehensive and has made me more comfortable with the concept. I have taken lots of notes. I like the idea of the ‘apartment’ as our puppy is alone for up to 10 hours during the week. I need to set it up better though I think

  11. I had a sheltie that LOVED finding a den to nap in. If she didn’t have access to her crate, she was under furniture, exactly like you said. And we ALWAYS had to have her crate in the same room as her when we brought a new pet home and teach the new pet that her crate was off limits to them so she always had somewhere to go when she needed a break from them so she wouldn’t end up nipping at them. It really helped her get along with new pets.

  12. Hey there!
    I absolutely love your videos. Definitely the best out there and they’re helping us so much with our new puppy. Please keep them coming along with your power tip videos!

    It’s been 2 days since I picked up Lana from her breeder and she’s doing great. However, I’m having the opposite problem, where in she doesn’t want to leave her crate. The play pen I’ve set out for her encompasses the crate and every time I try and play with her, she takes her toys right back in there and settles in.
    She isn’t terrified of coming out of the crate, but prefers being in there so much so that every time the gate is open she’ll run right in.

    Also, she seems very afraid of leaving my room (currently where her crate is set up) and exploring the house.

    Is there anything I can do about both these things?
    Thanks for your help!

  13. I have just started watching your videos Ian, and I am very impressed. I always get a bit of an “ick” feeling when these training videos include advertising, and I appreciate that that is not your first priority (or priority at all). I am getting my first dog in a month, a puppy. So much to learn, and I feel so overwhelmed! Your straightforward, no nonsense approach as helped me already! Thank you for this awesome, free content. If you write a book, I WILL BUY IT!

  14. Thank you SO much for this channel and all of these videos! You have a loyal subscriber in me. We are expecting our 8 week Pitbull puppy in the next few weeks and are preparing as much as possible to be the best owner for her. 🙂

  15. Thanks so much for these helpful videos!! Where do you keep the puppy when she’s not literally being trained to be in the crate? I know this takes several sessions so would you recommend an xpen between crate training rounds? I’ve tried keeping the crate inside the xpen but she’s using it as a litterbox 🙁

  16. You are a genius. I have a 8wk old Shorkie. This is my first puppy experience. So far so good but I’ve learned soooo much from you. I’m definitely subscribing and watching everyday LOL. Thank you!

  17. well done, great educational session on this, professional quality. love the explanations and comparisons to babies, and kids too. Thanks for posting this informative vid, we are getting our first 2 year old adult rescue this week and didn’t know how to plan . Cheers!

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