You are at Greater Tampa Change Location
You are at Greater Tampa
Change

Professional

Dog Training Services


Crate Training for Puppies in Tampa, FL

Call to Schedule FREE In-Home Assessment

813-755-3332


Se habla español!

Request a Free Assessment

Contact Dog Training Elite Greater Tampa

Or Call to Schedule FREE In-Home Assessment

813-755-3332


Se habla español!

When introducing a new puppy to your home, crate training is one of the most important instructions for your pup. Though some dog owners initially question the idea of crate training, a crate gives you and your dog a sense of security when used properly. Read on to learn more about the benefits of enrolling in a crate training puppy program in Tampa, as well as important tips to keep in mind throughout the training process.

Puppy training with Dog Training Elite Greater Tampa gives you all the skills and tools you need to help make your new puppy a part of the family, without using shock collars. Contact us today!

What is Crate Training?

Crate training is the practice of teaching a puppy that a metal, plastic, or fabric-covered cage (crate) is their safe place. This taps into the natural denning instincts of dogs, and they will learn that the crate is their personal spot that they can retreat to whenever they desire.

In addition to offering dogs a sense of peace and territory, crate training significantly speeds up the house breaking process. 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.

Dog Training Elite offers a professional puppy training program in Tampa that includes crate training services.

Not all training packages may be available at our Dog Training Elite Greater Tampa location, please reference our pricing page for complete information on services offered.


Platinum

$2,995

OUR MOST POPULAR PACKAGE!

LIFETIME SUPPORT

Our platinum package offers you training sessions throughout your dog's lifetime! Follow-up sessions to be scheduled once per month as needed, after initial program is completed.

  • In-Home Training SessionsOne-on-one & personalized 9 Sessions + Unlimited
    *see above description
  • Group Training Sessions Unlimited
  • Lifetime support via text/email and in-person support sessions *scheduled at trainer's discretion (no more than once per month, after completing initial program
  • AKC Canine Good Citizen Testing(if desired)
  • Come
  • Heel (walk with you, loose leash no pulling)
  • Sit(next to you & off leash at a distance)
  • Place(go to bed)
  • Quiet(stop excessive barking & whining)
  • Off(furniture when desired)
  • Down(lay next to you & off leash at a distance)
  • Load Up (go into kennel, car, or dog house)
  • Manners, Safety & Boundaries
  • Calm Anxiety & Build Confidence
  • Housebreaking / Potty Training
  • STOP Jumping on People
  • STOP Mouthing & Nipping
  • STOP Chewing & Digging
  • STOP Begging & Stealing Food
  • STOP Bolting Through Doors & Running Away
  • STOP Chasing Animals, Cars & Bikes
  • STOP Reactivity (dog & human)
  • *Stay With You on a Job or Bike Ride (off-leash)
  • *Emotional Support Dog Training(ESA)
  • *Control Aggression(dog & human)
  • *Calm Extreme Anxiety(behavioral modification)

Gold

$1,995

  • Private Training SessionsOne-on-one & personalized 5 Sessions
  • Group Training Sessions 12 Sessions
  • Come
  • Heel (walk with you, loose leash no pulling)
  • Sit(next to you & off leash at a distance)
  • Place(go to bed)
  • Quiet(stop excessive barking & whining)
  • Off(furniture when desired)
  • Down(lay next to you & off leash at a distance)
  • Load Up (go into kennel, car, or dog house)
  • Manners, Safety & Boundaries
  • Calm Anxiety & Build Confidence
  • Housebreaking / Potty Training
  • STOP Jumping on People
  • STOP Mouthing & Nipping
  • STOP Chewing & Digging
  • STOP Begging & Stealing Food
  • STOP Bolting Through Doors & Running Away
  • STOP Chasing Animals, Cars & Bikes
  • STOP Reactivity (dog & human)

Silver

$1,395

  • In-Home Training SessionsOne-on-one & personalized 3 Sessions
  • Come
  • Heel (walk with you, loose leash no pulling)
  • Sit (next to you & off leash at a distance)
  • Place (go to bed)
  • Quiet (stop excessive barking & whining)
  • Off(furniture when desired)
Best In-Home Dog Trainers Near Me in Tampa
Highest Rated Dog Obedience Trainers Near You in Tampa
Top Dog Trainers Near Me in Tampa
In-Home Dog Trainers Near You in Tampa

We help your dog become a valued companion and beloved member of the family. Read what our customers have to say and then give us a call!

Awesome experience. Tonya was amazing and gave me and my dog exactly what we were looking for and even exceeded our expectations! Thank you so much for everything!
— Porter Family
Posted August 20th 2024
google
We are extremely grateful to Luis and Tonya. Our puppy's behavior is totally different. From the first classes the improvement of our dog (Niko) was noticed. They have been very attentive and have answered each of our questions. Thanks to them today we have our service dog. Totally recommended! Niko loves them and always enjoys the group classes.
— Johanna Maisonet
Posted June 8th 2024
google
Due to rapid decline of health, getting a service dog through standard means (2-3 year process) wasn’t an option. I found a dog I thought could be trained but had trouble finding a trainer willing or able to help. I reached out to Tonya at Dog Training Elite pretty much at wits end and she immediately responded and put me at ease. She came out to the house within days and started the training journey for/with us. Our dog is making wonderful progress already in just 2 months and we should have a dog that is ready for service soon thanks to the Dog Training Elite team.
— Sheri-Rob Dusse
Posted June 3rd 2024
facebook
Tonya and Marissa were awesome with our Luna. She is well behaved when we have company over and loves place. We look forward to the group classes to make her continued training fun.
— Annmarie Gardiner
Posted May 31st 2024
google
Tonya was a big help during the new puppy stage of our Cavalier. We felt very comfortable with her and the techniques she used. She was very patient and made the training fun and successful. We highly recommend her.
— Amy Reyes
Posted May 29th 2024
google
Tanya is very skilled in her profession! She had my Bully Dog obeying her commands within 20 minutes! My dog had a problem with jumping with excitement when I received a visitor. She is 70 pounds and her action was painful and annoying. Thanks to DOG TRAINING ELITE, that behavior has stopped.
— E thel Fentzlaff
Posted February 17th 2024
google
Tonya was awesome!! Can’t say enough good things about our experience with Dog Training Elite!! Tonya was timely, efficient and so good with our dog Maverick!!! She truly is the best and has become like family!!
— Mechelle Merrell
Posted February 11th 2024
google
Tonya is an excellent training instructor. She has the patience needed to deal this old guy and also our now 7 month old Mayley. Tonya has always been on time for our training sessions, which are done at our home whether it be done inside or out in the yard. Another plus is the Saturday sessions at a local park where Marley can socialize with other dogs in attendance. There are plenty of distractions be they other dogs being walked or very young toddlers wanting to pet our puppy. Marley still has her moments but she is still a young pup after all. I highly recommend Dog Training Elite. You will not be disappointed.
— John Cerone
Posted February 2nd 2024
google
100% recommend! I hired Dog Training Elite Greater Tampa for my Cane Corso puppy and he is an angel now. The training is tailored to the owner and the pup. It is kept simplistic and tools you can use over and over again. My issue with finding a company was that I could not go to places in the early evening/late morning during the weekday. Tonya and Luis come to your house which is really a force multiplier when training your dog in their own home. If you need your dog trained, this is the place to go.
— Kevin Lowe
Posted January 31st 2024
google
Wow! I can’t say enough about Tonya and Dog Training Elite - Greater Tampa. I was no stranger to training dogs, but my current dog, Scarlett, can be very head strong. She loves people and has no impulse control. She pulled on her lease when walking and rushed the door for visitors. I could tell she knew and understood my commands, but she decided when to follow them. It was a frustrating situation, and I was becoming impatient with Scarlett which was not good for either of us. Tonya to the rescue!! Tonya is extremely patient (with me and Scarlett) and seemed to know exactly what we both needed to get us over our impasse. You can tell Tonya really cares about both her human and dog students. We both had a great experience and Scarlett absolutely loves her. I recommend Dog Training Elite to anyone who is serious about training their dog. Training your dog isn’t magic, you must work at it but having the right tools and trainer is a difference maker. Scarlett now walks beside me, comes when called, sits the first time she is asked and no longer jumps on complete strangers. Thank you, Tonya for everything! It was worth every penny.
— Mechelle Jarvis
Posted January 29th 2024
google
Tonya has helped our dog so much! Being an aussiedoodle she has a lot of energy and can be stubborn. Her behavior has completely changed since working with Tonya and everyone tells us how well behaved she is now. I am so glad I chose them to work with us and Stella. Excited to keep training with them!
— Olivia Price
Posted December 10th 2023
google
I first started looking for training for my puppy because I want him to eventually become a service dog. The training he’s been given has not only improved his behavior, but it’s also given me the tools I need to practice and train with him on my own. My puppy went from not listening and going potty in the house, to behaving even when I’m not giving commands. I was so worried that I wouldn’t be able to handle my new dog, and this service gave me confidence that he could become a well behaved pup.
— Joselyn Hernandez
Posted November 25th 2023
google
Working with you was an incredible experience. Working on a 6 year old dog, I thought was impossible, I was wrong. Now Kooper is amazing and he is my service dog. Kooper learned many new things and lost bad old habits. I can do anything with him, even without a leash. For whatever needs you have with your dog, I recommend Tonya ad Luis, they are amazing.
— Francesca Ciancio
Posted September 15th 2023
google
Very knowledgeable and extraordinarily patient with dog and client. Tailored the training to our specific needs. Always on time with organized lesson plans. Truly a dog-changing experience. Thank you Tonya.
— Ed Mandel
Posted September 14th 2023
google
These words are not enough to thank Tonya for what she did with our beloved Sheepadoodle Teddy! She started teaching him the basics (sit, off, stay, place, heel, down) and being so smart that helped us to teach him a few extra commands like "paw", "watch". "high five". Teddy is a lovable puppy but has TONS of energy which gives him frequent "zoomies" or burst of enthusiastic desire to play, run, and jump over us and being big and heavy, by accident tends to push or pulls us really hard. Tonya has been able to teach him (and us!) to manage these bursts of energy and he is way calmer than before (and at the moment I'm writing this he is still a 8-month old BIG and HEAVY puppy (a bit over 60 lbs). THANKS TONYA for your continuous help, for being so caring and dedicated for your job. She is a natural animal lover so she does her job with that in mind: LOVE. THANK YOU!!
— Steven Padin-Aquino, P.E.
Posted September 1st 2023
google
Took Isla all the way to a fully qualified service animal. All I get is comments on how well behaved she is.
— Kevin E
Posted August 25th 2023
google
Tanya is excellent and has done a great job with Princeton.
— Dee Coop
Posted July 5th 2023
google
Thanks little better
— Stella Jimenez
Posted July 1st 2023
google
Our trainer Tonya is extremely nice. She cares deeply for her client. There has been noticeable progress in the dog’s behavior. Best investment ever!
— Jacob Cummings
Posted April 10th 2023
google
I highly recomment Tonya, Louis and Dog Training Elite Greater Tampa. It is obvious that they are not only very knowledgable, but passionate about what they do. Tonya is calm, patient and caring not just with dogs, but with children and people in general. She is super easy to work with.
— Natalia Brophy
Posted January 9th 2023
google

All Reviews Set Up an Assessment Today!

Dog Training Elite offers expert in-home crate training puppy services near you in Tampa.

Why Should You Use Crate Training?

In addition to offering dogs a sense of peace and territory, crate training significantly speeds up the house-breaking process. 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.

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 Greater Tampa, 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 training 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.

Is Crate Training Your Puppy Necessary?

While crate training is not necessary for housebreaking, it undoubtedly makes the process easier. Owners who choose to housebreak without the use of a crate will need more time and more patience when it comes to cleaning up accidents.

Crate training is also the safest option for keeping your puppy safe when unattended, protecting them during traveling, and limiting household damage with restless puppies.

When Should You Start Crate Training?

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.

Dog Training Elite has an award winning puppy training program in Tampa, including crate training for puppies.

Crate Training for Puppies
Tips From Dog Training Elite in Tampa


  • While crating is an important dog training process, your dog should not spend most of their time in a crate. We advise you to never leave your dog locked in the crate for more than two hours at a time.
  • If you must be away from home all day, it's best to drop your dog off with a friend so the crate does not become overly dirty and your pup isn’t confined to a small space for too long.
  • Crates come in different sizes, and some options can be adjusted as your dog grows to keep them comfortable.
  • When possible, leave the crate door open so your dog feels free to come and go.
  • Add a doggie bed, soft blankets, and plush toys so your puppy feels comfortable inside the crate.
  • Never use crating as a punishment — this will only teach your dog to fear the crate.

Dog Training Elite has award winning puppy training in Tampa with crate training classes for your pup.

Dog Training Elite Greater Tampa includes tips and tricks for crate training in our puppy training programs. Our unique techniques based on the "Classical Conditioning" model (a.k.a. "Pavlovian" or "respondent conditioning") ensure our program is a success no matter how much crate training experience your pup has.

If you are searching for a crate training puppy program in your local area, contact us today.

Pricing Programs Free Assessment

Se habla español!

Our Balanced Theory

We base our training around the "Classical Conditioning" model (a.k.a. "Pavlovian" or "respondent conditioning"). This includes developing conditioned or automatic reflexes to commands. In its simplest form (after proper conditioning), when the owner says "sit," the dog automatically sits without thinking about it. Our unique techniques ensure our program is a success no matter what behavior we encounter.


  • Empowering Owners
    We empower Owners to train so their dog knows who to obey at all times.
  • Personalized
    We deal with problem behaviors on a personal basis.
  • Environment Specific
    We train wherever issues tend to arise (i.e. jogging, park, home).
  • Supportive
    We support Owners in the off-hours (when training is "not in session").
  • Involved
    We work with all members of the household.
  • Simplified & Customized
    We plan training around the owner's schedule and require only 20 min/day follow-up practice.
  • Continued Training
    Additional programs / group sessions offered after in-home training.
  • Lifetime Investment
    We follow up & are invested in the owner's success long-term.
  • Satisfaction Ratings
    Our high client satisfaction rating sets us apart from competitors.