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Crate Training

Puppy Crate Training in Cincinnati, OH

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A young dog receiving puppy crate training in Cincinnati, OH from DTE.

Dog Training Elite

Puppy Crate Training in Cincinnati, OH

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 Cincinnati, OH 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 Greater Cincinnati

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 Cincinnati, OH 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.

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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 Greater Cincinnati, 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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Learn Why Dog owners choose Dog Training Elite

  • Cathy Moody
    Jan. 31, 2026
    Thank you, Scott and Jen, for offering professional dog training to all the happy dogs in our region. From the one-on-one training to the super fun group classes, you are keeping it challenging and fun. You always respond quickly to my questions with the details needed to keep me and my Cece dog on track. If a dog owner has goals for their beloved dog Scott and Jen dog training can help you accomplish your goals. Happy Training!!!
  • Matt Cahill
    Jan. 31, 2026
    Scott and Jen are the best! Training was at our house and our toy poodle named Sophie bonded with Jen immediately. She was fantastic. The group classes are fun also and it's great to see her behave around other dogs. We all enjoy them! I can't recommend them enough. They are great people and great trainers!
  • Mommy of 7
    Jan. 30, 2026
    My Daughter Elizabeth was 14 years old with special needs when she started with Dog training Elite. She started training her Dog Goose when he was just 12 weeks old. Scott and Jen have been wonderful not just as trainers but their patience and understanding with my daughter and her needs as well.They both are so knowledgeable! I can't recommend Dog Elite enough! 200% would recommend for all dog training needs.
  • Holly Templeton
    Jan. 30, 2026
    Dog Training Elite has made me confident in life since the amazing training program for my service dog Paisley. Scott and Jen are so patient and had multiple methods of training for my girl to be a successful service dog. Their professionalism and techniques have enabled us to feel normal again. Dog Training Elite deserves all the praise in the world! Thank You, Holly and Paisley
  • Michelle Zinck
    Jan. 30, 2026
    Scott and Jen have taught my dog and I how to communicate with each other very effectively. Training sessions are fun for both of us. We can now go everywhere together. We highly recommend them!
  • Erin Macey
    Jan. 9, 2026
    This training program not only works it makes sense to both my dog and I! Yes most people can have relatively good dogs on their own. (I had 3) However-WOW, you don’t realize the true potential of your dog until you are in this program. I am definitely regretting skipping professional training with my first 3 pups!!! Augie and I are loving this program and can’t wait to start our journey as a therapy team.
  • Joy Rentz
    Mar. 27, 2025
    UPDATE: wanted to come back, months later now, and say how I love that Scott and Jen are always so quick to respond when I have additional needs or questions and always with helpful guidance to our next step! HIGHLY RECOMMEND!’ The trainers at Dog Training Elite Greater Cincinnati demonstrated remarkable patience, kindness, professionalism, and encouragement during our interactions, making the behavior training for dogs an effective and enjoyable experience. Their expertise in advanced dog training, particularly with persistent puppy obedience training and service dog training, helped us achieve impressive results and build a solid relationship with our canine companion.
  • Darlene Doll
    Sep. 24, 2025
    This is my first time using Dog Training Elite and our first puppy in a long time. Our experience has been great and we are looking forward to having a Therapy Dog in the future. I would highly recommend Dog Training Elite to anyone looking for great puppy training at any level!
  • angelo shamel
    Nov. 6, 2025
    Mr. Scott is amazing!! He is informative and he makes training fun and comfortable for you and your pet! I would recommend this company to anyone!!
  • Anna
    Nov. 5, 2025
    I’m basically a fangirl when it comes to Jen and Scott!! 😂 I truly cannot say enough wonderful things about them! They’re so knowledgeable, helpful, patient and, most of all, their kindness and passion for dogs is so genuine and makes it so easy to build a bond with them through your dog!! I have never used professional training with my past rescues but Mabel is a one-of-a-kind, fluffy, energetic, snuggly, chaotic force that will not hesitate to lick inside your ear or eat every shoe you’ve ever owned. In just a few short weeks, my rescue puppy, Mabel Rae, has transformed!! I knew from reviews that the program would be beneficial for me and Mabel but it was so much more than I could have imagined! They are so flexible and accommodating with training packages, scheduling, etc. They personalize each experience to your dog and your specific needs and goals. I’m just so genuinely happy, Mabel seems to enjoy the structure, as well as all of the edible rewards when she does well! I’m honestly not sure who looked forward to our weekly sessions more - me or Mabel! I just cannot recommend them enough! You won’t regret it!! (see, I told you I would be fangirling!) Thank you, Jen & Scott!!
  • Alexandra Zeller
    Jan. 29, 2025
    I worked with DTE from the very start of my service dog journey. Finding those willing to help train a PTSD service dog for non veterans was excruciatingly difficult to find. Finding Jen, Scott and the crew was an absolute godsend. From day one, they sat down with me and discussed what I needed, what I was looking to accomplish and my goals. From there, we decided together that a Doberman was in my best interest for work. For the next couple of months, we worked together to find a breeder who had suitable service dog prospects. Then, as soon as she was able to come home, Sprout began training! After months of training (and continual refresher support now), Sprout has blossomed into my best friend and integral support. I used to never be able to leave the house, and just yesterday, me and Sprout went out for lunch, alone! Through their continual support and guidance, I've become a more confident handler and independent person. Sprout has evolved into a loving, sweet natured and well behaved working dog. She is absolutely amazing. Highly recommend DTE for anyone looking to better themselves, or their dogs!
  • Amanda Unkrich
    Oct. 30, 2025
    Great experience! Scott is very knowledgeable and good at educating me on how best to train my dog. My dog was very receptive to him and his techniques. He is very personable! Would recommend him to anyone that needs help training their dog!
  • Sascha Diotte
    Oct. 8, 2025
    I have two rambunctious Great Dane puppies who were in need of some serious training. I didn't know where to start and to be honest, am horribly inconsistent. I had tried several times before to do the training myself but would end up flustered and giving up. Eventually, I reached out to Scott about training and was pleasantly surprised at everything the dogs and I learned. The weekly trainings helped greatly. Several months after training completed a battery on one of the collars we received went bad. Scott helped us in getting a replacement, even stopped by to install and program it. I'll be forever grateful for the work he did. We even get invitations, to this day, for group training sessions. I highly recommend Dog Training Elite.
  • Chastity Holler
    Sep. 4, 2025
    My dog Gracie is a bit of a firecracker! She has some issues like resource guarding and a lack of confidence, which sometimes leads to acting out in fear. I decided to reach out to Dog Training Elite for help. Scott and Jenn are incredible! They were incredibly patient with Gracie and me. Even my fiery Gracie loves Scott. It’s amazing to see her transform into a happy and well-behaved dog. Their training and Gracie’s happiness are totally worth every penny. I highly recommend them!
  • Dori Colwell
    Aug. 1, 2025
    Scott and Jen are AMAZING to work with. When they came to the house to meet us and evaluate my Neko, they took the time to get to know her, her personality, and listened to my concerns about Neko's behavior and my expectations about her training. Scott gave me a couple of tips and things to do with her that I started on following their initial visit. I could already see a change in her behavior. I was nervous about how Neko would act at our first group session, but her behavior had changed so much (for the better) that I actually cried tears of joy when it was over. I cannot thank both of them enough and am extremely grateful to them for their understanding, help, and support. You cannot go wrong with DTE!
  • Kyla Bedel
    Jul. 21, 2025
    Scott and Jen are very friendly people and our golden retriever absolutely loves them. Our pup, Mav, has been training with them for about a year now and has grown a lot in that time. This was a great way for him to meet other dogs and work on his commands.
  • Sandra Kinney
    Jun. 29, 2025
    Scott and Jen are truly exceptional when it comes to dog training on a more personal level. They make the work fun and easy to understand. I’ve been able to reach them for problem solving and advice during more challenging stints with my black lab. They work with you and your dog’s personality to reach the goal task. They are a JOY to work with …which makes sense since the word is in their name. THANK YOU!!
  • David VanDyne
    Jun. 24, 2025
    We have used other dog trainers in the past and it was not a good experience. Finding Scott and Jen was such a blessing, they far exceeded our expectations! We are working with them to train my black lab as my service dog and the progress has been amazing. I have a traumatic brain injury and get overwhelmed at times with the training but their patience and willingness to work with me is so helpful. We have already been recommending them to those we know searching for dog training and will continue to do so. We plan to get another dog down the road and will be using them again!
  • Kyla Flora
    Jun. 4, 2025
    Scott and Jen's professional experience, coupled with their friendliness and kindness makes each meeting a pleasure. Even my children look forward to their visits. As a labrador breeder who has been around dogs and in the dog world ever since I was a teen, the fact that I learn something new every time they come speaks volumes about their knowledge. The gentleness and genuine love they show towards my puppies is so sweet to watch! You won't find a better trainer, and I am always ready to share their info with anyone needing a trainer for everything from basic puppy obedience to advanced service dog training.
  • Laura Sims
    May. 24, 2025
    Scott & Jen went way above and beyond for us. They are wonderful and very knowledgeable of what is needed to train your dog. Thank you both for everything!