Glossary

Crate training

Teaching a dog to treat a crate as a safe, comfortable place to rest, used for house training, travel and recovery.

Also called: crate, kennel training, dog crate, den training

Crate training teaches a dog to see a crate as its own quiet space. Done well, the crate is introduced gradually: the door is left open, meals and chews are served inside, and the dog chooses to enter. Only then is the door closed, for seconds at first and then for longer periods.

A crate can help with house training because most dogs avoid soiling where they sleep, and it keeps puppies safe when unsupervised. It also helps with car travel, vet visits and recovery from surgery.

It is not a place for punishment and not a substitute for exercise, company or a way to keep a dog for long hours each day. A puppy needs frequent breaks. A dog that panics, drools or injures itself inside a crate may have separation anxiety and needs professional advice.

Last reviewed November 8, 2026

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Related terms

House training Teaching a dog to relieve itself outdoors or in a chosen spot instead of inside the home. Separation anxiety Real distress shown by a dog when left alone or away from a particular person, such as howling, destruction, pacing or house soiling. Enrichment Giving a dog chances to use its natural abilities, such as sniffing, chewing, foraging and problem solving, to improve its well-being. Place A cue that sends a dog to a mat or bed and keeps it there, often used when visitors arrive or meals are served.