Estimated reading time: 19 minutes

Updated July 2026

A crate can provide a dog or puppy with a comfortable place to rest, but only when it has been introduced gradually and used appropriately.

It should never be used as punishment, a way to silence a frightened dog, or somewhere to confine a dog for an entire working day.

Some dogs naturally choose to sleep in an open crate. Others prefer a bed, a playpen, or a quiet room. Neither response is wrong.

The aim of crate training is not to make your dog tolerate being shut away. It is to help them feel relaxed and safe enough to enter, rest and leave without pressure.

This guide explains how to choose and position a crate, introduce it positively, close the door gradually and recognise when a crate is not suitable for your dog.

For wider advice about helping a new puppy settle, read Bringing a Puppy Home.

The quick answer

Successful crate training should involve:

choosing a crate large enough for your dog
placing it in a calm part of the home
securing the door open at first
allowing your dog to investigate voluntarily
creating positive associations with food, rest and comfort
keeping training sessions brief
closing the door for only a moment initially
increasing the duration gradually
providing fresh water
arranging regular toilet, exercise and social breaks
stopping when your dog becomes worried
using a playpen or dog-safe room when a crate is unsuitable

A dog who is panicking is not learning to feel safe.

They are learning that they cannot escape.

What is a dog crate?

A dog crate is an enclosed structure, usually made from metal mesh, rigid plastic or fabric.

It can be used as:

an optional sleeping place
a quiet resting area
a familiar space during travel
part of a puppy pen
temporary management during household activity
short-term confinement when advised after veterinary treatment

A crate should not become your dog’s entire living space.

Dogs still need:

company
exercise
sniffing
toilet opportunities
choice
comfortable sleep
access to water
appropriate enrichment
freedom to move normally

Dogs Trust recommends setting up a crate as a calm, comfortable place and ensuring the puppy can stand, turn, lie down, sit, wag their tail and stretch fully. Fresh water should remain available.

Does every dog need a crate?

No.

A crate is a management and resting option, not an essential part of dog ownership.

It may be useful when:

a puppy is gradually learning to settle
your dog voluntarily sleeps inside it
you are preparing for safe travel
a vet has advised temporary crate rest
your dog benefits from a quiet retreat
it forms part of a larger puppy pen
you need brief, safe separation during household activity

A crate may be unsuitable when your dog:

panics when enclosed
bites or bends the bars
throws themselves against the door
has previously had a frightening crate experience
becomes distressed when you move away
overheats easily
cannot comfortably change position
has pain or mobility difficulties
repeatedly soils the crate
is being confined for long periods
has separation-related anxiety

Do not continue simply because someone has said that every dog should be crate-trained.

The right setup is the one that protects your individual dog’s welfare.

A crate should remain a positive place

Never send your dog into the crate as punishment.

Do not use it because they have:

chewed furniture
barked
toileted indoors
stolen food
become overexcited
failed to follow a cue
worried a visitor
behaved in a way you found inconvenient

Your dog should be able to associate the crate with safety, rest and predictable experiences.

Blue Cross advises that crates should not be used as punishment or to house dogs for long periods. Dogs need regular opportunities to exercise, play and toilet.

A crate does not cure separation anxiety.

Crate training alone does not change how a dog feels about being left.

A dog with separation-related anxiety may:

panic when the door closes
bite or bend bars
damage teeth
injure paws
drool heavily
bark or howl continuously
toilet inside
attempt to force their way out
become frightened of entering the crate

Dogs Trust warns that shutting a dog with separation anxiety inside a crate may increase their fear and create a serious risk of injury. Where a crate forms part of a behaviour plan, the door may need to remain fixed open. (Dogs Trust)

Read Leaving Your Dog Home Alone: Safety, Boredom and Signs of Distress if your dog struggles when you leave.

For gradual Trainingme training, read How to Prepare Your Dog for Separation.

Choosing the right crate size

Your dog should be able to:

stand at full height
sit without touching the roof
turn around comfortably
lie on their side
stretch out fully
change sleeping position
wag their tail without being cramped

Do not deliberately choose a very small crate because you have been told it will prevent toilet accidents.

Comfort and welfare come first.

When buying for a puppy, consider their likely adult size. A divider may allow you to adjust a larger crate temporarily, but it must still leave enough space for comfortable movement.

You may need to replace the crate as your puppy grows.

Dogs Trust advises that the crate must allow a puppy to stand, turn, lie down, sit, wag and fully stretch.

What type of crate should you choose?

Common options include:

Metal mesh crates

These usually provide good ventilation and visibility.

They can often be folded for storage and partially covered to create a quieter space.

Check that:

the structure is sturdy
no sharp edges are exposed
the base fits correctly
the doors latch securely
your dog cannot trap a paw
the crate cannot collapse

Rigid plastic travel crates

These may provide a more enclosed space and are often designed for travel.

Check the manufacturer’s requirements and ensure the crate is suitable for the intended journey.

Fabric crates

Fabric crates are lightweight but unsuitable for dogs that scratch, chew, or attempt to escape.

A determined dog may quickly damage the material or the zip.

Puppy pens

A pen provides more room to move than a closed crate.

It can contain:

an open crate or bed
water
appropriate toys
a separate toilet area where required
enough room to stand and move

Dogs Trust notes that a playpen can provide a puppy with a larger area while still including a separate resting space and access to food, water and toys.

Where should you put the crate?

Choose somewhere calm but not completely isolated.

A suitable position may be:

in a quiet corner of the living room
beside your bed during a puppy’s early nights
within a secure puppy pen
away from the busiest walkway
somewhere your dog can rest without being disturbed
close enough for the dog to remain part of normal family life

Avoid placing it:

beside a radiator
in direct sunlight
in a draught
beside a loud television
against a washing machine
near an open fire
beneath unstable furniture
beside a door that repeatedly slams
somewhere children constantly pass
inside a parked vehicle

Your dog should not become trapped in an area that grows dangerously hot.

Should you cover the crate?

Some dogs settle more comfortably when part of the crate is covered.

A blanket over the top and sides may:

reduce visual disturbance
soften some household noise
create a quieter resting space
reduce draughts

Do not completely block ventilation.

Make sure your dog cannot pull the covering through the bars and chew or swallow it.

Watch how your dog responds. Some prefer a partially covered crate, while others become worried when their view is restricted.

Dogs Trust advises that the top and sides may be covered, while the crate remains well-ventilated and comfortable. (Dogs Trust)

What should go inside the crate?

A basic setup may include:

comfortable bedding
a stable water bowl
a familiar blanket
a safe, previously tested toy
enough space to stretch

Avoid filling the crate with so many objects that your dog cannot change position.

Bedding

Choose bedding that suits your dog.

Some prefer a thick bed. Others move bedding aside and sleep on the crate tray.

Check for:

torn fabric
loose stuffing
damaged zips
wet bedding
signs of chewing
anything wrapped around a paw

Remove damaged bedding promptly.

A dog who repeatedly destroys and swallows bedding may need a different setup and closer supervision.

Water

Fresh water should remain available.

A clip-on or non-spill bowl may reduce the chance of the bowl being knocked over, but it must be positioned where your dog can drink comfortably.

Do not restrict water simply because you are worried about toilet accidents.

Dogs Trust advises providing fresh water in both crates and playpens. (Dogs Trust)

Toys and food activities

Only leave items your dog has already used safely while supervised.

Check whether your dog:

bites off pieces
becomes frustrated
swallows parts
guards the item
traps their jaw or paw
destroys it quickly
becomes more excited instead of settling

No toy is indestructible.

Read Dog Enrichment Safety: When a Brain Game Becomes Frustrating before leaving food toys or puzzles.

Remove collars and harnesses when appropriate.

A collar, tag or harness can become caught on crate bars or another object.

Consider removing them before your dog is left unattended in a crate, provided the dog remains securely inside your home, and there is no risk of escape while the equipment is removed.

Always reattach legally required identification before taking your dog into a public place.

Do not remove equipment if doing so would create a different immediate safety risk.

How to introduce a crate positively

The door should remain open and secured during the early stages.

Your dog must be free to enter and leave.

Step 1: Set up the crate

Add:

comfortable bedding
water
one familiar item
a partial cover where suitable

Check that the crate is stable and properly assembled.

Leave the door fixed open so it cannot swing shut and frighten your dog.

Step 2: allow investigation

Let your dog approach in their own time.

Do not:

push them inside
pull them towards it
close the door
crowd the entrance
repeatedly command them to enter

Your dog may sniff the crate and walk away.

That is still useful information. They have begun investigating without pressure.

Step 3: Place food near the entrance

Place a small piece of suitable food outside the crate.

When your dog is comfortable, place another piece just inside the doorway.

Gradually position food further inside.

Do not immediately throw food to the back and close the door behind your dog.

Dogs Trust recommends starting at the entrance and gradually moving food farther inside once a puppy appears comfortable. (Dogs Trust)

Step 4: Feed near or inside the crate

You may feed part of your dog’s normal meal:

beside the crate
at the entrance
partly inside
fully inside once they are comfortable

Move the bowl gradually rather than expecting immediate progress.

Keep the door open.

Food training or training still counts towards your dog’s daily intake.

Step 5: reward voluntary rest

When your dog chooses to enter and lie down, allow them to rest.

You can quietly place a small treat inside, but avoid becoming so enthusiastic that you disturb them.

The crate should become ordinary and predictable.

It should not only appear when:

you are going out
visitors arrive
the dog is in trouble
the dog must be confined
something unpleasant is about to happen

Introducing a cue

Once your dog is entering happily, you can introduce a simple cue such as:

“bed”
“settle”
“crate”

Say the cue just before they naturally enter.

Reward them once inside.

Do not repeat the word continuously or use it to pressure a reluctant dog.

The cue should predict an action they already understand.

How to begin closing the door

Only begin when your dog is:

entering voluntarily
resting comfortably
able to leave freely
showing relaxed body language
not rushing back out

Start with movement

Move the door slightly, then open it fully again.

Reward calm behaviour.

Repeat until the movement no longer concerns your dog.

Close it briefly

Close the door without fastening it.

Open it immediately.

Gradually progress to fastening it for one or two seconds.

Remain beside the crate.

Increase the time slowly.

Build from seconds rather than jumping to several minutes.

Open the door while your dog remains calm.

Dogs Trust advises going back to an easier stage if the puppy whines, scrabbles, or shows any other sign of worry. (Dogs Trust)

Moving away from the crate

Once your dog remains relaxed with the door closed briefly:

Sit beside the crate.
Shift slightly further away.
Stand up and sit down.
Take one step away.
Return.
Move briefly around the room.
Step out of sight for a moment.
Build the duration gradually.

Change one difficulty at a time.

Do not simultaneously:

increase the time
leave the room
leave the house
remove the food
introduce a new location

Your dog should remain relaxed, not merely quiet.

Signs your dog is not coping

Watch for:

panting when the room is not warm
repeated yawning
lip licking
turning the head away
trembling
drooling
whining
barking
biting the bars
scratching the door
frantic movement
refusing food
repeated attempts to escape
toileting
freezing
lying very still while remaining tense
becoming reluctant to approach the crate later

Open the door safely and return to an easier stage.

Do not wait for the dog to become exhausted.

Do not punish barking or crying.

A dog may become silent because it has given up trying, not because it now feels safe.

Should you let a puppy cry in a crate?

Do not deliberately leave a puppy to panic.

A puppy may cry because they:

need the toilet
feel frightened
are too hot or cold
are in pain
are hungry
have been isolated too quickly
are overtired
have not yet learned that the crate is safe

Check their needs.

Return to a duration and distance they can manage.

If crying or distress continues despite training, speak to your vet or a suitably qualified behaviour professional.

Crate training at night

A young puppy may feel frightened when suddenly expected to sleep alone in an unfamiliar home.

Placing the crate or bed near you initially can make nighttime support and trips to the toilet easier.

Before bedtime:

provide a calm toilet opportunity
avoid frantic play
make sure the sleeping area is comfortable
keep water accessible
prepare for nighttime toilet breaks
remain close enough to notice distress

Do not expect a very young puppy to remain confined and dry throughout the night.

Gradually move the sleeping area only when the puppy is settling comfortably.

Read Bringing a Puppy Home for wider advice about the first days and nights.

Can a crate help with toilet training?

A crate may form one small part of a puppy’s routine, but it does not replace proper toilet training.

Puppies need to go outside:

after waking
after eating
after drinking
after play
after excitement
before bedtime
regularly throughout the day

Do not leave a puppy confined until they have no choice but to toilet where they sleep.

That is unfair and may make future toilet training more difficult.

Provide frequent opportunities and reward toileting in the appropriate place.

My Puppy Visits in Finchley can help break up the day with toileting, feeding where agreed and calm company.

How long can a dog stay in a crate?

There is no single time suitable for every dog.

The old article included an age-based table suggesting some puppies could remain crated for four to six hours. That table has been removed.

The appropriate duration depends on:

age
toilet needs
health
mobility
confidence
previous training
temperature
whether the dog is awake or asleep
how they behave when confined
the reason for using the crate

A crate is not suitable for an entire working day.

Blue Cross advises that dogs should not be housed in crates for long periods and must be taken out regularly to exercise, play and toilet. (Blue Cross)

When you need to leave your dog longer than they can comfortably manage, arrange:

a trusted family member
a suitable neighbour
a puppy visit
an in-home pet-care visit
a professional solo dog walk

Read “Leaving Your Dog Home Alone” for broader planning.

Crates and rescue dogs

A rescue dog may have:

positive crate experience
no previous experience
a history of long confinement
been transported in a crate
been punished using one
learned to escape from one

Do not assume an adult rescue dog understands or likes a crate.

Begin with the door fixed open and observe their response.

A dog who avoids the room, freezes, trembles or becomes distressed may need a completely different resting arrangement.

My Rescue Dog Support in Finchley focuses on predictable, low-pressure care rather than forcing dogs through difficult experiences.

Children and dog crates

Children should understand that the crate is not:

a playhouse
somewhere to crawl
a place to hide toys
somewhere to stroke a sleeping dog
somewhere to corner the dog
somewhere to reach in and take food

When the dog enters their crate or resting place, children should leave them alone.

An adult must remain responsible for supervision.

The crate door does not make an unsafe child-and-dog interaction safe. Children should not sit against the entrance, poke fingers through the bars or release the dog without an adult.

Crates in multi-dog homes

Do not place food-filled crates directly beside each other unless you know both dogs are entirely comfortable.

Dogs may feel pressured when another dog:

watches them eat
lies near the entrance
pushes against the crate
steals food through the bars
blocks the route out

Provide enough distance and manage each dog individually.

Never put two dogs in the same crate unless a veterinary professional has specifically advised an exceptional arrangement. Each dog needs enough room, choice and safety.

Crates and travel

A familiar crate can make some journeys more predictable, but a household crate is not automatically a suitable travel restraint.

Check:

whether it is designed for travel
how it will be secured
the vehicle manufacturer’s guidance
ventilation
size
door security
temperature
crash-tested options where available
your dog’s comfort

Introduce the travel crate before the journey.

Do not make the dog’s first experience a long trip.

My Travelling With a Dog: Safe, Calm and Comfortable Journeys covers vehicle restraint, breaks, travel sickness and public transport.

Never leave a crated dog in a parked car

A crate does not protect a dog from heat inside a vehicle.

Do not leave your dog in a parked car during warm weather, even when:

a window is open
the car is in shade
you expect to be away briefly
the dog has water
the crate is covered
a fan is running

The correct plan is to keep your dog supervised and remove the need to leave them behind.

Read Dogs in Hot Cars for more information.

Veterinary crate rest is different.

A vet may prescribe crate or restricted rest after:

surgery
spinal injury
fracture
joint injury
another medical condition

Follow the veterinary instructions rather than ordinary crate-training advice.

The required space, duration, movement, and toilet arrangements may vary significantly.

Do not end or alter prescribed rest without speaking to your veterinary practice.

Alternatives to a crate

A crate is not the only way to create a safe resting space.

Alternatives include:

A puppy pen

This provides more room and may include an open crate, a bed, water, and suitable toys.

A stair gate

A gate can separate a dog while still allowing them to see, smell and hear normal household activity.

Blue Cross recommends stair gates as a useful way to introduce puppies to short periods of separation without immediately closing a solid door.

A dog-safe room

A kitchen, utility room or another suitable space may offer more room to move.

Remove:

food
rubbish
electrical cables
cleaning products
harmful plants
small objects
accessible medication
anything the dog may chew or swallow

An open den

A covered bed, space beneath a table or an open crate may provide privacy without confinement.

Give your dog a choice whenever it is safe to do so.

Common crate-training mistakes

Avoid:

forcing the dog inside
using the crate as punishment
closing the door too early
increasing the duration too quickly
ignoring panic
leaving a puppy too long
restricting water
choosing a crate that is too small
putting it in direct heat
leaving dangerous toys inside
using it to treat separation anxiety
relying on it instead of toilet training
allowing children to disturb the dog
confining a dog for an entire working day
assuming every dog should like a crate

Progress is not measured by how quickly you can close the door.

It is measured by how comfortable your dog remains.

Frequently asked questions

Is crate training cruel?

A crate can provide a useful optional resting space when introduced positively and used briefly.

It becomes unsuitable when a dog is forced inside, left for prolonged periods, punished with confinement or allowed to panic.

Should the crate door stay open?

Keep it secured open during the introduction and whenever you are not practising brief door-closing exercises.

Many dogs continue using an open crate as a bed throughout their lives.

Should water be left in a dog crate?

Yes. Fresh water should remain available. A suitable non-spill or clip-on bowl may help prevent it being knocked over. (Dogs Trust)

Can I leave my puppy in a crate while I work?

A crate is not suitable for confining a puppy for an entire working day.

Puppies need frequent toilet breaks, meals, movement, supervision, social contact and sleep.

Arrange suitable daytime help.

Can a crate stop separation anxiety?

No.

Crate training alone does not treat separation anxiety and may increase panic or injury risk when a distressed dog is shut inside. (Dogs Trust)

Should I cover the crate?

A partial cover may help some dogs settle, but ventilation must remain good. Make sure your dog cannot pull the covering through the bars.

Should I remove my dog’s collar?

A collar, tag or harness may become caught on crate fittings. Consider removing them when your dog is securely indoors and unattended, provided doing so does not create another safety risk.

What if my dog cries in the crate?

Check whether they need to use the toilet, feel frightened, are uncomfortable, or have progressed too quickly.

Return to an easier stage. Do not deliberately leave a dog to panic.

What if my dog refuses to enter?

Do not force them.

Leave the door open, place food near the entrance and give them time. Use a pen, stair gate or safe room when the crate remains unsuitable.

Can an adult dog learn to use a crate?

Yes, but previous experience matters.

Introduce it in the same gradual way and pay close attention to body language.

Is a crate suitable for a rescue dog?

It depends on the dog and their history.

Some rescue dogs find crates comforting. Others have frightening associations with confinement. Begin with an open door and never force the dog inside.

A crate should provide choice, not pressure.

A crate can be useful when your dog chooses it as a comfortable resting place.

It should never become a substitute for exercise, toilet breaks, compTrainingp, training or appropriate daytime care.

Choose the right size.

Keep water available.

Introduce the crate gradually.

Close the door for seconds, then attempt minutes.

Watch your dog’s body language and stop when they become uncomfortable.

Most importantly, remember that success does not mean your dog spends longer and longer locked inside.

Success means they feel safe enough to rest.

For wider puppy guidance, read Bringing a Puppy Home.

For advice about absences, read Leaving Your Dog Home Alone.

Training and behaviour note

This guide provides general crate-training information.

It does not replace individual advice from your veterinary practice or a properly qualified behaviour professional. Speak to your vet when your dog suddenly becomes distressed, has pain or mobility problems, injures themselves attempting to escape or shows established separation-related anxiety.

The Animal Behaviour and Training Council provides a register of qualified practitioners.