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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

  • Alpha Survival
    Feb. 11, 2026
    Very professional organization. Each member seems to go way above and beyond what I expected and that I was truly satisfied. The trainer I was assigned ( Anna) is a dream come true. She works well with dog and he enjoys learning from her. She deserves 5 stars all on her own.
  • Teresa
    Feb. 10, 2026
    Jocynia is amazing and we are so thankful for her. Our little pup is learning so quickly and responds so well to Jocy's approach. We are so happy to have gone with this service!
  • H Ry
    Feb. 10, 2026
    The staff at DTE is amazing! Everyone is so sweet and caring! My dog was so excited to see the staff for not only the group classes but also the in-house visit. Thank you DTE TEAM!!!!!!
  • Maria W
    Feb. 10, 2026
    Marcus was very nice, respectful, and treated me and my dog really well. He was patient. He answered my questions, clearly making it easy for me to understand. He did a great job!
  • Jean Young
    Jan. 7, 2026
    Wow, once again an incredible class with Elijah teaching my Birdie how to stay in place. Cannot recommend more highly if you want to consider virtual training for your dog from your own home! Elijah makes it easy and seamless. I can’t believe my fantastic results!
  • Karla StPeter
    Jan. 27, 2026
    Matt explained everything, made sure all our questions were answered. Today, Our dogs did great! Even though this is going to take sometime, I see the light at the end of the tunnel, knowing that here is hope to train our Pugs!
  • Hilary Richards
    Feb. 10, 2026
    10/10! Would recommend Jason to anyone who is looking for training. I also loved that he meets you where you are in your training, From novice to expert. Jason really cares about all of his doggy clients and their owners too! I don’t have enough good things to say, only than I had found him earlier on
  • Marcia Camo
    Jan. 27, 2026
    Jessica is doing a great job training both Parker and me. We are coming along and Parker and I are calming down both in and out of the house!!
  • Brett Julian
    Feb. 10, 2026
    Jason is the best trainer we could have asked for. He helped us train our Golden Retriever Callum to become an excellent therapy dog for nursing homes. Jason is a 10/10 trainer, highly recommend!
  • Abby Kelley
    Feb. 10, 2026
    Jason and his team are great and we love them! They answer any questions and help work directly with you and your dog!
  • Pat Ware
    Feb. 9, 2026
    Juno came to us after being incarcerated at the dog pound for an entire year. She was nothing but a 40lb bundle of pittie energy and enthusiasm. I have had a number of Bully breeds over the years and thought this would be similar. WRONG!! It only took a week for me to realize that my tried and true training methods would not work with Juno! I could not get her to focus and she was actually a danger to my husband and myself. She thought nothing of leaping over the back of the couch right on top of anyone who happened to be there. She would hit the back of our legs at a dead run and knock us down. On leash she pulled me to the ground multiple times, AND she doesn't get cats, and we have many cats! My vet recommended DTE and it has worked out almost perfectly. Jeremy and Kristi and Amber are all absolutely engaged in what they are doing. In my opinion they don't train dogs, they train people to train dogs. I am astounded at the difference in a program that teaches my dog to respect me and focus on what is being communicated. Juno already was markedly different after just a day or 2. After every session of the 2 week day camp Amber spent as much time as was needed to make sure I clearly understood how to work with Juno. She now walks quietly on a loose leash, she will comfortably stay in place while I am working with food in the kitchen. She has not knocked anyone over and has visited the vet for no reason but to show off her new skills. She is still most angelic when she sleeps, but the change in attitude and behaviors is astounding. We are slowly working on the cat issue. I have now had Juno for 37 days, and I can say without DTE I would have had to surrender Juno to a shelter or pound. She was simply not manageble. As for the price? Absolutely affordable! I divided the cost by the approximate number of years I would have with Juno and find the number to be quite reasonable. If you want a peaceful relationship with your dog, don't wait!
  • Steven Lemmer
    Feb. 9, 2026
    Wonderful job. Our Dude is leaning an making great strides… we look forward to every Monday evening with our trainers… we highly recommend
  • Joe Slattery
    Feb. 9, 2026
    I took my Chow Chow here for help with barking, aggression, and general obedience, and the change in her has been incredible. They really took the time to understand her personality and didn’t treat her like a “problem,” which meant a lot to me. The training helped her become calmer, more confident, and much better behaved in everyday situations. She’s far less reactive now, listens so much better, and honestly just seems happier. It’s been such a relief seeing her improve this much, and I’m really grateful for the care and patience they showed throughout the process. I would absolutely recommend them to anyone looking for real, lasting results for their dog.
  • Mitchell Walker
    Feb. 9, 2026
    We had our first training session today with Payton and our puppy, and it was a fantastic experience. Our little guy is incredibly smart — sometimes a little too clever for his own good — and Payton did an excellent job quickly addressing our biggest concerns. Within just a few minutes, we were already seeing noticeable improvements. She also took the time to highlight the positive behaviors we had already helped develop, which was both encouraging and reassuring as new puppy owners. Her approach was patient, knowledgeable, and very effective. We’re looking forward to our next session and continuing the progress we’ve started.
  • Abigail Baggarly
    Jan. 12, 2026
    Looking forward to working with all the staff at dog training elite Worcester
  • Miranda Escobar
    Feb. 9, 2026
    Love all the trainers! They have helped happy immensely
  • Julie Milbauer
    Feb. 9, 2026
    I would give them 100 stars if I could! We were at a point with Kevin or St Berdoodle mix, where I had already reached out to a couple of rescues because I didn't see how we could help him with his aggression towards the male dogs in our home. After putting 12 stitches in our Beagle, I was at a loss. When I first met with Kristi, I cried as I told her how much I loved my dog and how brokenhearted I was that I didn't know if anything would help. We signed Kevin up for their two week camp and OH MY GOSH!! Just two days after being in class we saw drastic changes! The first day he pulled me all over on the way in the door. On the second day he walked calmly beside me. By the end of training, it was like we had a whole different dog! He follows commands and is much calmer. Don't get me wrong, he's still the same crazy, playful, lovable pup that we loved so much. But now he has manners! Just yesterday I took him to the Lake for his first time. We passed other dogs, including a little yappy one that kept jumping towards Kevin, but Kevin didn't flinch. He sat calmly next to me. If you love your dog like I do, this training is a complete game- changer!
  • Melissa
    Feb. 8, 2026
    My husband found Vince online when looking for a trainer to make our great dane Loki a service animal. I was hesitant at first, but after speaking with Vince I knew he would do an amazing job. Loki just finished his home sessions where he learned valuable skills that not only taught Loki but taught us as the handlers. Vince is extremely knowledgeable and has a way with dogs. He is flexible and understanding and overall an amazing trainer. Our first group session for distractions starts next week and we couldn't be more excited. After that his service animal training really begins and I know because of Vince, Loki will excel at this. Vince sets you up for success, and you can tell he actually wants you to succeed and to me thats a breath of fresh air. Looking forward for more training soon!
  • Bonnie McDonald
    Feb. 8, 2026
    We love Dan so much! He’s an incredibly intuitive dog trainer and people trainer 😂 Our sweet but aggressive-biting, dog has responded so well to his training that I just can’t believe it. Same protective loving dog, but with more respect and trust that his owners are in charge and he can relax. Our other sweet girl has benefited from some gentle corrections, and the whole household is more at peace. Cannot recommend Dan enough, for both nervous owners and reactive dogs ❤️
  • Jeremy R
    Feb. 8, 2026
    I recently had the pleasure of working with Reina as my dog trainer, and I cannot recommend her more highly. From start to finish, she demonstrated an exceptional level of professionalism and dedication that truly sets her apart. Reina’s approach to training is both structured and personalized. She takes the time to assess your dog’s unique personality and learning style, then tailors her methods accordingly. One of the things I appreciated most was her step-by-step explanations for every exercise and command. She didn’t just show me what to do—she explained why we were doing it, how it benefits the dog, and what to watch for in my dog’s behavior. This level of detail made the learning process so much clearer and easier to follow. Throughout every session, Reina was incredibly patient and encouraging, with both me and my dog. She managed to create an environment that was positive and fun, while still being highly productive. Her instructions were easy to understand, and she made sure I felt confident and capable before moving on to the next step. She also took extra time to answer my questions and point out small things I might have missed, like subtle body language cues from my dog or slight adjustments to my technique that made a big difference. The results speak for themselves: my dog has made tremendous progress, and I feel much more equipped to continue reinforcing the training at home. Reina’s professionalism, knowledge, and natural ability to communicate with both dogs and people make her an outstanding trainer.