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Crate Training

Dog Training Elite of Southern CT

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A young dog receiving puppy crate training in Connecticut from DTE.

Dog Training Elite

Puppy Crate Training in Connecticut

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 Connecticut 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 of Southern CT

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 Connecticut 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 of Southern CT, 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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Hear From Our Customers

Learn Why Dog owners choose Dog Training Elite

  • Alison Gold
    Feb. 10, 2025
    Oliver and I had an excellent training from both Jason and Illana. Easy to book with and always on time.
  • Claire Watson
    Feb. 3, 2025
    They are amazing! I have been working on making my dog Maddie a service dog and they offer personalized in home visits as well as traveling to areas near by. I live in Fairfield county and they don’t mind it at all!
  • oded Biran
    Jan. 30, 2025
    Jason was very patient with my dog and provided all the necessary information and tools to get our dog trained in the fastest way possible
  • Amy White
    Jan. 28, 2025
    The team at Dog Training Elite of Southern CT demonstrated exceptional patience, kindness, experience, compassion, and professionalism throughout our interactions, making us feel confident in their abilities to help us with our dog's pet training and obedience needs. Their professionalism was on full display during their dog obedience training sessions, which were both effective and enjoyable for our entire family.
  • Angela Deslauriers
    Jan. 23, 2025
    Jason, the owner/trainer is excellent! He came to my home in Bristol and helped us with obedience training for our newly adopted 4 yr old dog Max. Prior to Jason‘s arrival, Max had no formal obedience training-and it showed…literally within the week Max was heeling and walking politely on leash, instead of pulling and tugging!! Jason also worked with Max and gave us easy to follow instructions with all of Max’s basic commands-and they WORK! Jason is patient and personable and HE KNOW DOGS!! Worth every cent, and Jason’s always willing to take a phone call if you have a question. And the mobile service coming to your home is so convenient!!!!!
  • Jake Sturrock
    Jan. 15, 2025
    We have had our puppy Cooper for just over 9-weeks now, and puppy training with Illiana has been nothing short of perfect. She is very knowledgeable and shows us exactly what to do moving forward on any given training activity. She is very responsive by phone if we have any questions, and is overall very passionate about what she does. We will be moving forward with Dog Training Elite, and specifically Illiana for the next training program!
  • Francesca Roccia
    Jan. 10, 2025
    Excellent! Our experience with Illiana has been fantastic. She is really helpful and punctual, she gave us great advice and definitely helped us improve our relationship with our dog and the training help us to communicate with him in a perfect way. I recommend her to anyone who has problems with their pet. Thank you 😊
  • Jessica Zampedri
    Dec. 31, 2024
    The trainers at Dog Training Elite of Southern CT were exceptionally patient, knowledgeable, encouraging, and supportive, making the experience of working with them truly outstanding and effective for my furry friend's pet training and obedience. Their professional guidance and expert advice proved invaluable in helping my rescue pup acclimate and be his best self!
  • Emmett Ackerlund
    Dec. 27, 2024
    The team at Dog Training Elite of Southern CT displayed exceptional patience, empathy, encouragement, and clearness throughout the entire training process, making the entire experience seamless and effective for my family's pet training and obedience needs. Their consistency in providing personalized attention and tailored guidance was truly impressive.
  • Emily Brahms
    Dec. 17, 2024
    We were very happy with the company Dog Training Elite. Jason was excellent!! He was great with our puppy Oslo and very professional . 5 stars all the way!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
  • Marco Guevara
    Dec. 13, 2024
    We couldn’t be happier with our experience at Dog Training Elite of Southern CT. Jason is absolutely the best trainer we could have asked for. He worked with our pup, Rio, on recall and house manners, and the results were incredible. The personalized approach to dog training made a world of difference, and Jason's expertise in obedience training gave us confidence every step of the way. The transformation in Rio's behavior speaks for itself—highly recommend to anyone looking for professional, effective training!
  • Nate Indorf
    Dec. 10, 2024
    The team at Dog Training Elite of Southern CT demonstrated exceptional patience, professionalism, encouragement, kindness, and empathy throughout the entire training process, making what could have been a daunting experience for both my pet and me a truly positive and rewarding one. I was impressed by Jason’s expertise in pet training and obedience, particularly in their in-home dog training approach, which helped my dog feel comfortable and focussed.
  • Juliana Stabach
    Dec. 10, 2024
    The team at Dog Training Elite of Southern CT demonstrated impressive patience, expertise, kindness, and understanding, making our experience with their pet training and obedience services truly exceptional, especially in their puppy training classes and in-home dog training sessions. We were blown away by their professionalism, which gave us the confidence to know that our dog was in good hands with a professional dog trainer.
  • ashley ryder
    Dec. 2, 2024
    My little one had some real behavioral issues and Jason is so patient and understanding. I’ve seen a huge change in her and my family is so happy with the results of this training program. I work for a vet and recommend this program to everyone that is struggling. We love Dog Training Elite!
  • Michael Pelaccia
    Nov. 12, 2024
    If you're looking for an outstanding dog trainer company, Jason, at Dog Training Elite New Haven, is your go-to expert! His knowledge, patience and personalized approach made all the difference. From the very first session, Jason was able to assess my dog’s behavior and create a tailored training plan that addressed both basic obedience and specific behavioral issues. What really sets Jason apart is his dedication to both the dog and the owner. He empowers me with the skills and confidence to continue the training on my own. Plus, Jason’s passion for dogs and genuine care for their well-being is a plus. My dog felt very comfortable around him, compared to other strangers. Working with Jason and Loren (Operations Manager) they made everything easy from the 1:1 at home training sessions, group sessions, customer service and scheduling assistance. It’s been an absolute pleasure to work with them. I will 100% be a returning customer. If I could give them ten stars I would!
  • Marsha Schoenfeld
    Nov. 4, 2024
    We’ve had 4 sessions with Jason and each time we marvel at what a nice man he is in every way..He’s very knowledgeable about dogs and their behavior..their quirks and affection.. our Lab puppy has learned so much from him as we did..We throughly recommend him as a dog trainer and behavior specialist..Lucy the black lab adores him🐾🐾.
  • Chip Dean
    Oct. 22, 2024
    Illiana was incredible with our dog. You can tell right away how much she knows about training dogs and how much she loves them. We thought our dog was untrainable, she showed us he is not. He is much better mannered and more enjoyable for everyone Great Job and Thank You Kim & Chip
  • Lauren Shulman
    Oct. 22, 2024
    We got a new English Bulldog puppy (Penny) in October 2023, and started training as soon as possible with the end goal of her being trained as a support service dog in public areas (nursing homes, hospitals, etc.). We mostly worked with Jason who is patient, knowledgeable and easy to work with. We also worked with Illiana a few times who is creative, knowledgeable, and patient. Both are great! As Penny started to grow, we unexpectedly found out that she has a genetic disorder in her neck/spine that limits her activity and our training options. The team was very patient and understanding and always willing to help. They were flexible and creative with training ideas, tailored to work within Penny’s personal tendencies, and with her medical restrictions which is hard to come by with a special needs dog. I also love that they come to the house, making the training more realistic and personable to the dog and us, not to mention it’s easier on the work schedule! Penny has picked up on all of her training commands quickly, and now it’s on us to be consistent and see it through! I highly recommend this company and team for your training needs!
  • Dave Glover
    Aug. 28, 2024
    Dog Training Elite has been an absolute game-changer for me and my 6-month-old German Shepherd, Jasper. From the very beginning, Jason's expertise and patience were evident. He has a remarkable ability to connect with dogs, and Jasper clearly felt comfortable and at ease around him. Jason's training methods have been instrumental in giving Jasper a solid foundation in obedience. He has made significant strides in his behavior, and I'm so grateful for the progress we've made together. Jason's guidance on using the e-collar has been invaluable. It's a tool that has proven to be a lifesaver in certain situations. One of the features I appreciate most about Dog Training Elite is their group sessions. These sessions have been fantastic for Jasper's socialization, allowing him to interact with other dogs and people in a controlled environment. Additionally, training in a busy park has helped him learn to focus and respond to commands amidst distractions. I highly recommend Dog Training Elite to anyone looking for a dedicated and effective training program. Jason's commitment to both the dog and the owner is truly commendable.
  • Laura LaFrancois
    Aug. 24, 2024
    Three weeks ago I contracted with Dog Training Elite and it has been an incredible and eye opening experience. Jason is our trainer and he is top notch. He has provided such valuable education that we have been able to train our 10 year old boxer and 18 month cane corso in this short time. Training as I’ve learned is about the owners showing consistency and following through. In just three sessions our dogs bark infrequently, walk on a loose lease (no more Mom drags), follow through on commands and don’t get on our furniture. The investment was well worth the exceptional outcomes. We wish we had done this years ago. Jason has proven techniques and a calming presence. Our dogs look forward to seeing him. We are excited to start group training next. Thank you so much Jason for helping our dogs reach their greatest potential (not to mention their humans)!!!