Dog crate training is a dog training method that uses a dog crate as a short term safe, secure and friendly 'den' for your dog. It can be used to teach housebreaking and house proofing or simply as a place the dog can retreat to whenever they want. It is also a great way to temporarily kennel your dog when you need to leave them unsupervised for a short amount of time.

The single most important element of puppy training is that you praise and reward appropriate behavior each and every time it happens. Since the dog crate is a tool used as a technique for positive reinforncement of proper behavior it should never be used as punishment.

Dog crate training requires time and patience. Once your dog has been acclimated to the training crate you can begin to feed them and bed them in there. Leave the door open when not training so they can freely enter and exit. Dogs of all ages can be crate trained. It is much easier to crate train a puppy and the advantages include a much easier traveling companion when driving with them is necessary.