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Crate Training

Dog Training Elite

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A young dog receiving puppy crate training from DTE.

Dog Training Elite

Puppy Crate Training

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 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

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 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, 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

  • sandra hensley
    Jul. 4, 2023
    I just started training my third dog with Dog Training Elite. JB worked with me to train my Husky-mix when her behavior was so bad that I thought I would have to rehome her. Three years later she is still so obedient that we can take her anywhere dogs are welcome. I am also working with JB to train my goldendoodle to be my service dog, and now JB is training my hound dog. No matter the breed or the behavior issues, I highly recommend hiring DTE to train your dog. JB, Christie and Paige are amazing people and excellent trainers. They dedicate every Saturday holding group training sessions at various locations, rain or shine, all year long. Trust JB and his team, they will work with your dog and love them as much as you do.
  • Jorge Cisneros
    Oct. 14, 2026
    Excellent!!
  • Haller Walz
    Oct. 14, 2026
    Tom went above and beyond our training expectations. He met our goals and then helped us set new goals and achieve them in amazing time. He went out of his normal schedule to help us achieve our goals. He was realistic and helpful and has been amazing in achieving peace with our dogs. Highly recommend him for your dog training needs!
  • Daphne Smith
    Oct. 14, 2026
    Aiden was punctual, knowledgeable and very nice to work with. He answered all of my questions. A very delightful young man.
  • Michael Amerine
    Oct. 14, 2026
    Katlyn, was professional and knowledgeable.
  • Brent Walz
    Oct. 14, 2026
    Excellent training. Exceeded expectations for our dog training needs. 2 large dogs responded very well to his training techniques.
  • Sol Ralat
    Oct. 14, 2026
    Wonderful and productive 1st training session with my 2 year old dog. Great communication and explanation.
  • Amanda Swartz
    Oct. 14, 2026
    Ali has been a GameChanger in training my bichon, Otis. She worked with Otis and me in a consistent, supportive, encouraging, and clear manner that helped me learn to lead him through commands in a confident way. Otis gets so excited every time Ali comes for training. Ali connects with dogs in a way that is uniquely special. My life with Otis has changed after we started working with Ali. I cannot recommend her highly enough. We did have some early challenges with board and train; however, Kelli worked with us to create a collaborative plan to meet mine and Otis’s needs. They even celebrated his birthday in board and train!
  • Sam Feinsmith
    Oct. 13, 2026
    Jess was wonderful. She listened carefully to learn about our goals for training our dog, and she was professional, knowledgeable, skillful, and clear.
  • Tyler DesRochers
    Oct. 13, 2026
    Highly recommend Dog Training Elite! My rescue, Ziva, and I took the leap with the Platinum Package and have just completed our individual sessions. The training was personalized, well-structured, and thoughtfully paced, with a strong emphasis on building my confidence as an owner and reinforcing the importance of consistency. Ziva struggles with reactivity, which can make navigating unfamiliar situations challenging. After completing the individual sessions, I now feel equipped to support her needs. I also developed a stronger understanding of her personality and how to provide the calm, consistent leadership she needs to succeed. Ramiro was professional, knowledgeable, and realistic throughout the process. I truly appreciate the individualized approach and the focus on developing effective tools for specific situations that used to be stressful. We’re looking forward to the group classes and taking advantage of the lifetime support! Thanks for everything!
  • Riley Matthews
    Oct. 13, 2026
    Trainer was excellent very helpful.
  • Angela Quinn
    Oct. 13, 2026
    This was an amazing dog training experience for our family. Any questions we had were addressed and Tina provided a lot of helpful information. Tina is very knowledgeable and supportive. We are grateful for her hard work with August! I would highly recommend this program!
  • Kevin Leahy
    Oct. 13, 2026
    Haley was phenomenal in working with my rescue Husky/Lab mix, Sage. The program and the ecollar training helped lay a very strong foundation for her developed and her temperament gets compliments everywhere we go. The cost of rescuing the dog and getting private training with Elite was less than many people pay just to get a pup from the breeder.
  • Ellie Delap
    Oct. 13, 2026
    We are loving Elite Dog Training so far!! We have definitely noticed differences in our puppy for the better. Iyande is the best trainer as well. Excited to continue more training and learning!!!
  • Paige Allsbrook
    Oct. 13, 2026
    Great experience with Kyle and his two dogs in training my service-dog-in-training for my partner. Highly recommend these guys as they work with you on your schedule and payment.
  • Kyle Hendrick
    Oct. 13, 2026
    Jared and Sydney are awesome! I’ve had many dogs but this is our first time using professionals to train one. Our Great Dane puppy caught on quickly to the training and I’ve learned great techniques to use in the future. Highly recommend!
  • Princess Pixie
    Oct. 13, 2026
    Carrie is such an amazing training. She is so kind and understanding. She really knows what she is doing. She is really going out of her way to train my puppy. I would definitely recommend dog training elite especially if you have Carrie!
  • Chrissy S
    Oct. 13, 2026
    Brennan at Dog Training Elite Columbus has been fantastic with our 8-month-old golden retriever, Honey. We’ve been doing private lessons in our home, and he’s helped us tremendously with basic obedience commands, leash manners, reducing jumping, and curbing biting. Brennan is extremely patient—both with Honey and with us—and his training methods are clear, consistent, and easy to follow. He communicates very well and makes the whole process straightforward. Because we have small grandchildren, these improvements have made a big difference for our family. We also really appreciate his honesty and integrity. After evaluating Honey, he could have recommended a more expensive package, but he didn’t—he only suggested what we actually needed. Scheduling has been easy, too. We highly recommend Brennan and Dog Training Elite Columbus if you’re looking for effective, no-pressure dog training.
  • Michele Weber
    Oct. 12, 2026
    JB and Paige are miracle workers! Our 6-month-old golden shepherd is 1 week into her training, and her behavior has improved so much. We decided to go with the platinum package that includes 2 weeks of 8am-4pm camp and unlimited group classes (and several in-home sessions). It’s been a game changer and well worth the investment!
  • Jason Sturtz
    Oct. 12, 2026
    Josh and team are amazing. They really take the time to inform you of everything you need to be successful with your pet at home while also going the extra mile to help you with any problems you’re experiencing. Winston is thriving at home all thanks to them. I would recommend them to anyone!