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Crate Training

Dog Training Elite in Boston Metro

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A young dog receiving puppy crate training in Boston, MA from DTE.

Dog Training Elite

Puppy Crate Training in Boston, MA

Crate training for puppies helps your dog develop a sense of security. Crates appeal to a dog’s natural instincts, offering them a safe, familiar area to relax and retreat when needed.

Crate training also plays a key role in housebreaking. Once a puppy learns that their crate is a safe place, or 'den', they will instinctively want to keep this area clean. During house breaking, keeping your puppy inside the crate dramatically reduces accidents. Keep eyes and ears open to your puppy's bathroom signals and quickly bring him or her outside. This will help your puppy learn that outside is the place to go, not inside.

At Dog Training Elite, we offer expert puppy crate training in Boston, MA to help guide you through the process. Our trainers work with you to help your puppy become comfortable with their crate and use it as a positive training tool.

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Dog Training Elite in Boston Metro

Crate Training Tips

Crate training is a valuable tool when done correctly, but it's important to follow best practices to ensure your dog remains comfortable and secure. Here are a few tips to help you make the most of crate training.

Avoid leaving your dog in the crate for more than two hours at a time to prevent discomfort and ensure they don’t associate the crate with confinement.
If you’re away for long periods, consider leaving your puppy with a friend or in a safe area where they have more room to move.
Choose a crate that fits your puppy’s size, or use an adjustable crate to accommodate their growth and ensure ongoing comfort.
Leave the crate door open when possible so your dog can enter and exit freely, helping them feel more at ease with the space.
Add a soft bed, blankets, and toys to make the crate a cozy, inviting space your puppy will enjoy spending time in.
Never use the crate for punishment—this can create fear and negative associations with the crate instead of security.
A puppy looking up at its owner during crate training in Boston, MA with DTE.

Why Should You Use Crate Training?

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Crate training can also improve other aspects of your pet's life. A dog that is used to a crate will feel more comfortable when traveling and have a safe place to retreat during thunderstorms or noisy guests. At Dog Training Elite, we believe that crate training can enhance the lives of both dog and owner when done properly.

Additional benefits of crate training include:

  • General Safety: Having your pup in their crate allows them to be alone while you are unable to watch them. Whether you are busy at home or out of the house, a crate trained puppy can give you peace of mind that your pup is safe and secure.
  • Effective Evacuation: In emergencies, crate training can save your dog’s life as a quick, low-stress way to evacuate.
  • Calmer Vet Visits: Should your pup be required to stay overnight at the vet’s, they will experience less stress and put up little resistance in their cage if they have been crate trained.

Crate training young, starting at about 8 weeks, is the best option for most pups and their owners. Keep in mind, though, that puppies under the age of 6 months should not be confined to their crate for more than three or four hours at a time. Allowing them to stay in the crate for too long will lead to a messy space, as young puppies are unable to control their bladders or bowels for extended periods. This also applies to adult dogs who are being housetrained.

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Two well-behaved puppies after training in their crates.

Start Crate Training Today


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Crate training helps puppies feel secure by providing them with a safe and comfortable space of their own. It also speeds up housebreaking, reduces accidents, and prepares your puppy for situations like vet visits or travel. When done right, crate training fosters a sense of security and builds healthy routines.

At Dog Training Elite in Boston Metro, we’re here to support you and your puppy throughout the crate training process. Contact us today for a free consultation and take the first step toward a well-trained and happy pup!

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You and your canine companion really can have it all. See how easy it can be to become a member of the elite pup society by requesting a free consultation today!

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Learn Why Dog owners choose Dog Training Elite

  • Ashley Hensel
    Feb. 8, 2025
    Matt is an OUTSTANDING trainer. He’s helping us so much in understanding how to get our dog from a young, energetic to an attentive, caring service animal. He’s great at hearing your concerns and easing your mind through the entire process and we can’t thank him enough.
  • Kitty Desharnais
    Feb. 5, 2025
    Ii would recommend your company..and Matt was the best
  • Monica Irving
    Feb. 5, 2025
    Matt F (and Nova) were fantastic. After years of training based off of trial and error / YouTube training videos- it was time to help my reactive boy get the structure and confidence he deserves. Matt helped me to learn how to better communicate with River, the importance of consistency and follow through, and helped us strengthen our bond. We are excited to begin our group classes this month and continue learning with Dog Training Elite!
  • Wendy
    Jan. 27, 2025
    We have had an amazing experience with our chocolate lab puppy Puddle at dog training elite with our awesome trainers Marcus and Tiffany!! Within 5 sessions our dog went from a crazy counter surfing, dog jumping, leash pulling, out of control pup to a pup who no longer counter surfs, walks beautifully on a leash, even in busy stores, and is just so much calmer. That’s very good for a puppy who is not even 9 months old. We enjoyed every session that we had with Marcus and Tiffany who were professional, prompt, friendly and fun to work with. We feel that we have so many tools and gained so much information to continue our training so that Puddle will continue to make progress every day. We are looking forward to the 12 group classes so that she can keep having challenges and learn new things. From the bottom of our hearts….thank you! ❤️❤️
  • joe thibodeau
    Jan. 4, 2025
    I can’t recommend Dog Training Elite enough. I reached out for help with reactivity with our 6 month rescue who other second dog in the house hold. Matt F came to the house to assess the dog and was able to understand our needs. During the nine week training session we were able to give our pup the foundation of training beyond what I anticipated. All our goals were met and more. I have had dogs throughout my life and gained more understanding in these sessions than I ever thought. I was able to bring this knowledge to my older dog as well and gained a better relationship with her as well. We live in a peaceful house with both dogs. Not having anxiety of having guest over. Dog Training Elite is well worth the money, when Matt F couldn’t make it the others that would fill in were great as well. When I had questions they would return my call. Great customer service. It was commitment to use what we were taught between sessions but was worth it. Great experience.
  • Chris Luthy
    Jan. 2, 2025
    The trainers all brought unique skills to the sessions. We learned a lot about how to get the desired behaviors, and my dog is much more attentive and obedient with commands. Highly recommend.
  • Todd McNamara
    Dec. 17, 2024
    Very professional company and Matt the trainer they sent over was great. Highly recommend!
  • Claire Butrimowicz
    Dec. 4, 2024
    I finished my last one on one session today. Matt was very patient with me. I’m older and have an energetic lab/pit bull. Matt has made me more confident when handling him. Marvin is very trainable. I’m not however. Matt has been a huge help in teaching me how to manage Marvin’s energy. I have more work to do on myself, but I have all the tools I need going forward. Marvin was happy and responsive and loved to see Matt walk through the door. I recommend Dog Training Elite for all dogs. This training has been a positive experience for Marvin as well. I’m looking forward to my group classes next! Thank you Matt and Dog Training Elite!
  • Michael Manchester-Miles
    Nov. 30, 2024
    Excellent training and service.
  • Nichole McIvor
    Nov. 12, 2024
    Marcus and the team continue to be an excellent resource for myself and my partner while navigating our GSD training. They have been more than flexible with training styles and curating a training program for our own individual needs. Whiskey has benefited so much from their guidance, wisdom, and patience. From basic training to more advanced issues, they are knowledgeable and dedicated to helping the dog and the parents, alike. Couldn’t recommend them enough!
  • Russ Morris
    Sep. 13, 2024
    Matt k did a great job. Couldn’t be happier with the whole staff.
  • Michelle Grajeda
    Sep. 12, 2024
    I am very happy with my experience! My dog Petey is a different dog compared to who he was in the beginning. We are much happier together !
  • Courtney Tompkins
    Sep. 4, 2024
    Marcus and Patrick were fantastic. They helped us train our yellow lab puppy who had a lot of energy and sass shall we say. The trainers are very knowledgeable and helpful. Whenever we had a question about a behavior that was a challenge in between sessions with our puppy, we could just reach out and they were willing to help and guide us on what to do. Everyone was super friendly. They even accommodated my work schedule which was very helpful. Also, the group classes that we have had after the one on one sessions were a bit far for us and we were able to attend another group's classes that were closer which was really nice. It works because they use the same methods. Overall, great experience, worth the money. We highly recommend them!
  • Shanna Moores
    Jul. 17, 2024
    It’s been nothing but great working with the trainers here. My biggest struggle was the confidence to be able to train my dog and just a couple months later I feel much more confident already and I’m amazed how far we’ve gotten in training. All the trainers we’ve had have given us great advice that’s helped us go even farther with training. I would recommend this place in a heartbeat to anyone looking for training!
  • John Serafino
    Jul. 11, 2024
    The professional and courteous trainer Matt showed me exactly how to train my dog to get the results I expected. I will continue to train my dog using the skills I learned.
  • Emily green
    Jul. 3, 2024
    Thanks so much for your help! Frankie is still a spicy girl, but I understand how to manage it, and it's restored my confidence. And she's happier as a result. Couldn't have gotten here without the insight and encouragement of Matt Fennell -- thank you, and thanks to Echo and Nova, too!
  • Michael Bouvier
    May. 30, 2024
    Great people to do business with.They arrive when they say they will and the trainers are very knowledgeable and professional. They explain what the dog needs and how to train them .
  • Cedric Crawford
    May. 25, 2024
    When it came to sessions for training. They always made themselves available for what time worked for me!! Which was very important with my schedule. They offer group sessions in multiple locations, which made it easy to find one on a weekend to attend. All the trainers are very knowledgeable and I felt like they all love what they do. The amount of attention given in each and every session (private or group) was amazing. Definitely would recommend them to anyone who may be struggling with obedience with their friend.
  • Deanna Greco
    May. 9, 2024
    Dog Training Elite of Central Massachusetts is amazing. The office staff is highly professional, organized, and kind. Whenever I call in, they are always so personable and helpful. Our trainer Matt was a godsend. We have a highly reactive german shepherd. We have tried other training facilities and private trainers that allegedly specialize in german shepherds with no results other than wasting our time and money. Within 30 minutes of meeting our dog, Matt had her full attention and obedience. We were awestruck. No one had ever been able to take control of her like that or coherently explain to us what my dog needed. In all reality, he trained us to be better pet parents and provided us with the tools and knowledge necessary to better serve our dog. We are a lot more confident in interacting with our pup and bringing her out into public. We could not be more grateful to the whole Dog Training Elite team!
  • Diana Kierein, LICSW
    May. 4, 2024
    We and Happy have really appreciated and enjoyed the dog training at our home. The teachers have each been so helpful with plenty of techniques, strategies and answers for our questions. We are excited to pass the test and move toward having Happy become our therapy dog. All our thanks! DK & MS