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A young dog receiving puppy crate training in Knoxville, TN from DTE.

Dog Training Elite

Puppy Crate Training in Knoxville, TN

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 Knoxville, TN 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 Knoxville

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 Knoxville, TN 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 Knoxville, 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

  • Sam Rapp
    Feb. 6, 2025
    Parker is reliable, consistent, extremely competent, and professional. He mixes all of these traits with a level of empathy and caring that makes him very effective. I wouldn’t trust anyone else with my thumbless child. It’s just too bad y’all don’t have a ten-star rating, because I would give him 11.
  • Tayler Wallace
    Jan. 31, 2025
    We loved working with Reina and look forward to more sessions with her!!
  • Bobbie Krag
    Jan. 8, 2025
    We were so happy with Parker, and our experience with Dog Training Elite Knoxville. Thank you so much for your continued support in training Roxy!!
  • Dannie Harris
    Jan. 14, 2025
    Another wonderful session! I highly recommend this program. The knowledge and experience of Reina is very helpful. She is very responsive to my dog’s behaviors and needs.
  • liam ross
    Jan. 22, 2025
    Carol was so great in helping us understand the process and making a decision that was right for us.. She was very knowledgeable and professional! Thanks again!
  • David Doucette
    Jan. 20, 2025
    Great job today. It was a hard one to learn but patience and perseverance got the job done!
  • Jon Wasmund
    Jan. 15, 2025
    Reina is an amazing dog trainer. What she's accomplished with my dog has truly been life changing.
  • Maryanne Hoemann
    Jan. 15, 2025
    Great info--easy to follow directions--enjoyed!!
  • Karly Kramer
    Jan. 15, 2025
    Bolt has been through tough times recently! His trainer Reina is amazing! A couple months down the road, and Bolt is doing amazingly compared to how he was with his reactivity! I am very satisfied with the progress, and how it is obvious progress! He now can calm himself down when people come to our house, and his place command helps him tremendously with his anxiety. Reina and I finished at the dog park today! I never would’ve expected being able to take my boy there. He used to pull and bark towards everything, but today, Reina showed me exactly what I should do if Bolt focuses on dogs, and how to calm his inner crazy! I’ve personally been afraid to bring Bolt to the dog park, but Reina showed me Bolt CAN do it! I am scared but excited for his Mall trip in a couple weeks! I am ready to show everyone the growth my dog has experienced. Also, Bolt absolutely loves Reina! He gets excited when she is around, and loves her positive vibes! I am very happy I decided to go with Dog Training Elite! I highly recommend if you have a reactive dog(human, dog, children, etc)!!! Thank you for everything you’ve done to help Bolt work through his emotions!
  • Sara R. Turnquist
    Jan. 15, 2025
    The training was with Reina. She was great. Clear instruction, good with the dog, and firm with training. A wonderful experience! Amazed at how quickly the training is shaping behavior and how solid their methods.
  • Jarissa Loy
    Jan. 2, 2025
    Carol was very thorough with laying out everything they offer. She was very understanding and nice about everything
  • Ben Connell
    Dec. 30, 2024
    Dog Training Elite has been great to work with. They have taught me to have a better relationship with my rescue dog. My dog Wyatt was traumatized and abused. Dog training elite helped him gain confidence, and start to trust people again. He has gone from being reactive on the leash to walking nicely in my neighborhood. Best investment ever!
  • Kristen
    Dec. 28, 2024
    Carol is a phenomenal trainer! Her expertise and professionalism stand out, and she clearly has a natural ability to connect with dogs. She is also able to teach me as an owner practical and effective techniques for training and help me understand the bc “WHY” behind it. My dog Knox’s behavior, recall, and obedience has drastically improved since working with her…and in just a short amount of time! I highly recommend Carol and Dog Training Elite in Knoxville for anyone looking for a skilled, convenient and passionate dog trainer!
  • Simon Tv
    Dec. 20, 2024
    Reina helped us train our golden retriever puppy. She was excellent and a complete professional. We are looking forward to seeing her again at our group sessions! Highly recommend Reina!
  • Hetzel Family
    Dec. 18, 2024
    Cosima was awesome! Our dog Frankie learned so much! Cosima was always patient, soft-spoken and kind. We look forward to the group training and we know that Frankie will be the best-trained dog we’ve ever had!
  • Donnie Womble
    Nov. 25, 2024
    Jennifer was great help in the office.
  • Melissa Ball
    Nov. 22, 2024
    Jen and the office are super helpful! Thank you!
  • Evan
    Nov. 22, 2024
    Staff was very kind and flexible, Jen in the office was very knowledgeable and helped me find the plans that suited my training needs, 10/10 would recommend.
  • Taya Fillmore
    Nov. 6, 2024
    I loved my experience with Dog Training Elite. Parker has helped my standard poodle Kaiser blossom into quite the gentlemen. He used to jump on people and pull on the leash but now he is a model citizen. Thank you Parker and DTE
  • Bennett Moody
    Oct. 28, 2024
    Carol was such a sweetheart! She was so nice and was so great at making my dog obey! She taught me well how to train my dog! I really recommend!