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Crate Training

Puppy Crate Training in Murfreesboro / Spring Hill, TN

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A young dog receiving puppy crate training in Murfreesboro / Spring Hill, TN from DTE.

Dog Training Elite

Puppy Crate Training in Murfreesboro / Spring Hill, 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 Murfreesboro / Spring Hill, 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 Greater Nashville

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 Murfreesboro / Spring Hill, 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.

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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 Nashville, 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

  • Taylor Leigh
    Dec. 23, 2025
    Top 3 things I loved: 1) Knowledgeable and patient instruction from the trainer, 2) Reliable and empathetic support that put us at ease, 3) Experienced and effective training methods that helped improve our dog's behavior. We highly recommend Dog Training Elite Greater Nashville! We absolutely loved Brad our trainer!
  • Ethan Holden
    Dec. 22, 2025
    My wife and I adopted a sweet, 1.5 year old Shih Tzu from a local animal rescue. We both owned dogs growing up, but this was the first dog that we could truly call ours. Consequently, Rizzo was also the first dog we were 100% responsible for training and taking care of. The first few days were ok, but then we quickly ran into major issues with crate training and serious separation anxiety. Every night and every time we left for work, Rizzo refused to go in her crate. When we placed here in there, she always withheld some pee, despite frequent walks and a watering schedule. Soon we found ourselves in a cycle of soiled crates, constant baths, and a permanent sense of anxiety and stress for everyone in the house. We reached out to Brad, who scheduled a free in-home consultation with the whole family. Out of the eight trainers I reached out to in the Middle Tennessee region, he and one other were the only ones who responded promptly and positively. Brad impressed us during the consultation because he did not try to upsell us on the most expensive plan, instead picking one that he thought was best for us and Rizzo. We ended up going with a plan that featured five total one-on-one, in-home sessions. There was notable improvement after the first session. Brad didn't rush us to schedule the second session, instead encouraging us to take our time working on the principles he established during that first visit. He also encouraged us to text and call with any isses we had during the week. I took full advantage of this, sending multiple emails, videos, and texts while we worked together. Brad always responded promptly and with action steps I could try implementing then and there. By his second visit a couple weeks later, we were able to get Rizzo to go in and out of the crate on her own. By the fourth session, we had solved the crate-soiling issue. We made so much progress that we were able to spend the last two sessions working on basic obedience. All of us are so much happier than we were before! I fully recommend working with Brad. If you listen to what he says, take notes, pay attention to how he is training your dog, and faithfully do your homework, I don't see how there wouldn't be an improvement in your dog's overall behaviour. Actively engaging and being a participant in the dog training process is key: my wife and I worked with Rizzo every night, thirty minutes a night. Just like with a personal trainer, you can't expect to see results if you aren't willing to put in the sweat equity. We do not regret our decision at all, so if you are on the fence or in a similar situation, you can't go wrong contacting Brad!
  • Tammy Keylon
    Dec. 18, 2025
    Brad is an amazing dog trainer! He is incredibly kind, patient, and very personal in the way he works with both dogs and their families. Our dog Daisy absolutely loved him, and we could see how comfortable she felt right away. Brad took the time to work with our whole family, making sure everyone understood the training and felt confident continuing it at home. We are so grateful for his patience, knowledge, and genuine care. Highly recommend Brad to anyone looking for a wonderful dog trainer!
  • Shannon Williams
    Nov. 18, 2025
    We found Dog Training Elite Greater Nashville while searching for dog training near me and were impressed from the start. Brad’s knowledge and patience made every session clear and easy to follow, and his expertise shone through in how he understood my dog’s needs. We appreciated his calm, understanding approach that helped our puppy learn good habits without feeling rushed. Overall, the experience was seamless and left us confident that we were working with the best dog trainer in the area!
  • Katie Lee
    Oct. 22, 2025
    Dog Training Elite Greater Nashville exceeded my expectations. Top 3 things I loved: 1) Their patience with my dog – never rushed a lesson. 2) Their experience and knowledge of dog behavior – every session felt professional. 3) Their kindness and understanding – made the training feel supportive and fun. I found them easily when looking for dog training near me and would recommend them to anyone seeking obedience training for dogs.
  • Dillon T
    Oct. 14, 2025
    5/5 stars – I would highly recommend Dog Training Elite. Brad was extremely knowledgeable and made it easy for us to understand each step in the training process. He was extremely dedicated to the training and answering any questions we had. He was appropriately firm but equally caring and affectionate with our Toast. We have seen a great improvement each week with Toast in regards to the commands but also in her overall confidence.
  • Stephanie Ring
    Oct. 11, 2025
    I was looking for dog training near me and found Dog Training Elite Greater Nashville. I appreciated the personalized approach and would definitely recommend them.
  • Hannah Weatherford
    Oct. 9, 2025
    5/5 stars - excellent expertise, endless patience, clear communication, real understanding, and genuine kindness. The trainers at Dog Training Elite Greater Nashville helped my nervous puppy become well behaved in just a few weeks. I appreciated their personalized approach and the way they explained each step. Highly recommend if you are looking for dog training near me or any obedience training for dogs. They truly are the best dog trainer in the area.
  • Mariah Strike
    Sep. 20, 2025
    5/5 stars – each star for patience, professionalism, communication, expertise, and value. I chose Dog Training Elite Greater Nashville after searching for dog training near me and was impressed by the trainer's incredible patience. Every session felt calm and supportive, and my dog responded positively. The trainer took time to explain each step and never rushed the process. Highly recommend for anyone looking for patient and effective dog training.
  • Brynn Aiello
    Sep. 10, 2025
    Dog Training Elite Greater Nashville was incredibly patient, kind and knowledgeable. The trainer was very professional and experienced, and helped my dog with basic obedience in a calm way. I felt the whole process was friendly and effective. I highly recommend them for anyone looking for dog training near me.
  • Taylor Andrews
    Sep. 6, 2025
    Brad with Dog Training Elite Greater Nashville far exceeded our expectations with his expertise! We felt so defeated with our dog’s behavior, and we had even had some tough conversations with our vet. After our initial in-home consultation with Brad, our hope had been restored. It was so rewarding to see the week-to-week improvement after each in-home training session, and I feel that we finally have our dog back! He is a much happier and WAY calmer dog now, and we are finally able to take him out in public again. Over all, I don’t think you’re going to find a more knowledgeable, patient, or experienced trainer in our area. Thank you, Brad! We are forever grateful for you!
  • Ted Salyers
    Aug. 20, 2025
    Our experience with Brad at Dog Training Elite Greater Nashville was exceptional, from the professional approach to the responsive communication, we couldn't ask for more. Brad was knowledgeable and explained everything to us during the private obedience training sessions.
  • Scott williams
    Aug. 14, 2025
    Parker has started helping us with Oakley our new golden retriever and we can already tell a huge difference in his behavior! he stopped, chewing on our couches and obeys simple command so far. We are extremely impressed and even more excited about the future. We highly recommend dog training elite in Nashville and surrounding areas.
  • Karin Price
    Aug. 1, 2025
    Dog Training Elite Greater Nashville provided top-notch services! Brad really honed in on our dog’s needs. To be honest, I was very nervous that our dog’s reactivity would never get better. Marcus is a rescue that was found as a stray and was around 2 at the time we got him (Aussie). He is a total love bug with us but started resource protecting us, our home and the yard. He reacted extremely toward other people and dogs on walks and definitely when they visited our home. It was uncontrollable. The difference from the first private training session to the second was remarkable but on the last personal session at Lowe’s, he didn’t react to anything. We are now in the group classes and my worries have subsided. He still has tiny moments here and there but can be redirected quickly. The difference from this training is nothing short of miraculous. It’s only been 9 sessions so I know that after a few more group classes, all of Marcus’ reactivity will be gone. His is all fear driven and he is more and more confident with each session. If you have a reactive dog, don’t give up on them. Call Brad at Dog Training Elite!
  • Cathy Oakes
    Aug. 1, 2025
    Brad at Dog Training Elite was EXCELLENT!! He turned out super-hyper, headstrong dog unto a manageable and enjoyable pet!! It's a process and we're still working at it. But Brad gave me the knowledge and skills to be able to do that - not only with Java, but with our new puppy, as well. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED and worth EVERY penny!!!
  • Hannah Biagi
    Jul. 24, 2025
    Brad is great!!! He’s friendly, upbeat, and most of all, great with dogs. He worked with us to tailoring our lessons to the behaviors we wanted to correct - especially aggression! In-home lessons were a great start (thank you, Scout!) and we’re excited to be starting group lessons next, something I wasn’t sure would be possible with our Pyrenees-Lab Mix!
  • Melinda Kellams
    Jun. 7, 2025
    Excellent puppy training from Brad. Brad was very patient with Archie snd clearly knew what he was doing. Archie has learned so much and is well behaved and pleasant to be around
  • Staysee Lynn
    Jun. 6, 2025
    We were impressed with Brad’s comprehensive understanding and expertise on dog training. He provided valuable insights and effective techniques that greatly enhanced our knowledge of dog behavior and how they react to training. He is funny too. During the training process we always looked forward to our session. We highly recommend Brad and Dog Training Elite.
  • Brad “Buckeyebradley” M
    Jun. 6, 2025
    Brad did an amazing job training our puppy. In just 5 training sessions our dog will come when called, sit and stay until we release him, lay down when we tell him to, and go to his bed when we give him the command. If you need a dog trainer, this is your guy.
  • Cheryl Freeman
    Jun. 5, 2025
    Brad was amazing! Noticeable improvement in our puppy’s behavior within the first week.