Crate Training
Crate training is a super important and very useful skill for your dog to master. You never know when you may need to use a crate for management car rides or even in an emergency situation. It doesn't take much for your dog to understand the crate is a comfortable, safe space for them to be. The beauty of the crate is that dogs often naturally choose a closed in, cozy space to rest.
Below you'll see an east step by step process to help you create a positive association between the crate and your doggie! Please be sure to take your time with each step. These are meant to happen over the course of multiple sessions. If your dog gets stuck, continue repeating the step and even go back one step. For best results I recommend you use high value treats, a clicker and keep training sessions short and fun!
Below you'll see an east step by step process to help you create a positive association between the crate and your doggie! Please be sure to take your time with each step. These are meant to happen over the course of multiple sessions. If your dog gets stuck, continue repeating the step and even go back one step. For best results I recommend you use high value treats, a clicker and keep training sessions short and fun!

Step 1
Sit down next to the crate on the open door side. Remove the idea of a threshold/door by tossing a treat into the crate and allow your dog to freely move in and out. Click when the dog walks over the door threshold and ask them to come out saying Free and tossing a treat out along the floor. The dog is going to turn and walk out of the crate anyway, by tossing a treat and naming it, you are putting meaning and an association to them leaving the crate. This will start a foundation of them exiting the crate when you say Free. Make it a game!
Step 1a
To add some duration to the time the dog is spending in the crate, once they walk into the crate you can throw one treat at a time into the crate to get them to explore with their nose for longer. Click each time they put their nose to the crate bottom to search for the treats. Then say Free and toss a treat out of the crate when you're ready.
Sit down next to the crate on the open door side. Remove the idea of a threshold/door by tossing a treat into the crate and allow your dog to freely move in and out. Click when the dog walks over the door threshold and ask them to come out saying Free and tossing a treat out along the floor. The dog is going to turn and walk out of the crate anyway, by tossing a treat and naming it, you are putting meaning and an association to them leaving the crate. This will start a foundation of them exiting the crate when you say Free. Make it a game!
Step 1a
To add some duration to the time the dog is spending in the crate, once they walk into the crate you can throw one treat at a time into the crate to get them to explore with their nose for longer. Click each time they put their nose to the crate bottom to search for the treats. Then say Free and toss a treat out of the crate when you're ready.

After about 20 to 30 repetitions of step 1 and step 1a, you can then turn this into a shaping exercise.
Shaping is an easy dog training technique where you break down the larger behavior goal into smaller steps. You mark and reward each small step to eventually piece together the larger behavior. Often with shaping, the handler, owner or trainer becomes neutral and allows the dog to think through the process. Be patient and reward when they have chosen a behavior close to the end goal!
Hold your gaze on the crate and pause. Allow the dog some time to explore his options.. He will remember he has gotten a lot of reward for being inside the crate and will go inside the crate to explore if there are any treats there. When he does, click and toss a treat inside. And repeat step 1a. If the dog does not choose to go into the crate on their own go back to Step 1. You may need to lower the distractions around you so the dog can focus and/or use higher value treats.
Step 2
Once the dog has a solid understanding to walk into the crate on their own, you may now add the command you want to use right before they enter the crate door threshold. Here at Love Dogs we use Go Home!
Step 3
Continue to add duration to the dog being in the crate by now grabbing their attention when they turn around to exit. You can start by simply putting a treat in front of their nose right when they turn, let them nibble for a second then bring the treat up to your eyes and say Look. Click and treat to their mouth or crate bottom. Then Free and toss a treat out. This is where the foundation of saying Free when they exit comes into play!
Step 3a
You may now add a Sit or a Down in addition to look between the time you “catch” them right as they turn around. If you have done this right, he will start to see the dog state of mind be very relaxed in the crate. They will most likely offer a sit, down or pausing in the crate before you ask them to. You should always reward sitting for laying down in the crate!
Step 4
Now stand up in the same space you were sitting and continue Steps 3 and 3a. You may add a point when you say the command if you’d like.
Step 5
Now begin to close the crate door when the dog goes in and relaxes. Only close it for a few seconds to start. Toss some treats through the crate door when it’s closed and work up to a longer time period with the door closed. When you’re ready open the door and say Free. If the dog is pawing or whining to get out of the crate, try not let them out until they have settled down. Reinforcing calm is very important!
Shaping is an easy dog training technique where you break down the larger behavior goal into smaller steps. You mark and reward each small step to eventually piece together the larger behavior. Often with shaping, the handler, owner or trainer becomes neutral and allows the dog to think through the process. Be patient and reward when they have chosen a behavior close to the end goal!
Hold your gaze on the crate and pause. Allow the dog some time to explore his options.. He will remember he has gotten a lot of reward for being inside the crate and will go inside the crate to explore if there are any treats there. When he does, click and toss a treat inside. And repeat step 1a. If the dog does not choose to go into the crate on their own go back to Step 1. You may need to lower the distractions around you so the dog can focus and/or use higher value treats.
Step 2
Once the dog has a solid understanding to walk into the crate on their own, you may now add the command you want to use right before they enter the crate door threshold. Here at Love Dogs we use Go Home!
Step 3
Continue to add duration to the dog being in the crate by now grabbing their attention when they turn around to exit. You can start by simply putting a treat in front of their nose right when they turn, let them nibble for a second then bring the treat up to your eyes and say Look. Click and treat to their mouth or crate bottom. Then Free and toss a treat out. This is where the foundation of saying Free when they exit comes into play!
Step 3a
You may now add a Sit or a Down in addition to look between the time you “catch” them right as they turn around. If you have done this right, he will start to see the dog state of mind be very relaxed in the crate. They will most likely offer a sit, down or pausing in the crate before you ask them to. You should always reward sitting for laying down in the crate!
Step 4
Now stand up in the same space you were sitting and continue Steps 3 and 3a. You may add a point when you say the command if you’d like.
Step 5
Now begin to close the crate door when the dog goes in and relaxes. Only close it for a few seconds to start. Toss some treats through the crate door when it’s closed and work up to a longer time period with the door closed. When you’re ready open the door and say Free. If the dog is pawing or whining to get out of the crate, try not let them out until they have settled down. Reinforcing calm is very important!
Written by Jamie Ianello, IAABC-SBA