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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

  • Julie Burns
    Dec. 11, 2025
    Henry is a Chihuahua with lots of personality who also has a rebellious side. I have never used a training service before and was very apprehensive about it. During assessment Kristi helped calm those fears showing the compassion of helping Henry. Henry attended the two week camp and after the first couple of days his behavior started to change. While Henry was learning new commands us parents were being taught how to talk / help him with life long skills. I am very appreciative and grateful for the team.
  • Jeff Martin
    Sep. 16, 2025
    Knowledgeable and understanding of the needs of different dogs. Knows when to train and when a dog is done. Happy to have her training my feral rescue and training me. Over the course of all the lessons, she has helped me understand how to train Cole and the results are a dog who initially was scared of everything and now is more confident and understanding of what is asked of him in various commands.
  • clyde baughman
    Dec. 11, 2025
    Alaina was fantastic. I actually learned more than the dog. She was very good. Fancy didn’t want her to leave. All you guys are great.
  • Laura Smith
    Oct. 16, 2025
    Jeff was great with our dog Sera, she loved him and his dog. We are really excited to start training with him. Had our 3rd lesson with Meggie and it was very good she have us great advice. Meggie and Happy were awesome to work with and she is very positive. Finally went to a puppy socialization class with Jeff. It was really good for my puppy and really showed me what I still need to work on. Seraphina did really well and I was super pleased. I definitely have my work cut out for me though cause she could careless about treats. She just wants to play. She was definitely ready for bed last night and she's still tired this morning..LOL Jeff was out today and he was excellent with Seraphina. She is a very stubborn alpha puppy and he really helped me to understand how to handle her stubborn side. She is already listening better, but i am working on being the alpha in or relationship. I had to tie her to my desk cause I told her to stay and she kept leaving. Eventually I was able to untie her and she stayed and fell asleep 😴 💤
  • Ray Scott
    Dec. 11, 2025
    Very knowledgeable and easy to work with!
  • Dave Ohlson
    Dec. 11, 2025
    I was at odds with my Dog Dexter. I was glad or should I say lucky that I found dog training elite emerald coast! They know how to teach your dog to do whatever you request them to do! I am so happy I went with their service! You won’t be disappointed!!!!!!!!!
  • Caitlin Bogue
    Feb. 11, 2025
    Had a follow up this afternoon because we've had a break from group sessions. I got great pointers on picking up where we left off and found out that we were better off than we thought which was encouraging. DTE does great follow up to ensure success.
  • Michael Kamens
    Dec. 10, 2025
    He did a great job explaining how they train
  • Erin Sanford
    Dec. 10, 2025
    Soooo helpful and patient
  • Matthew Dean
    Dec. 10, 2025
    Have a 5 yr old hound that had regressed and was super stubborn - after a week of camp and two home visits she’s well on her way to being a model dog. Ears are no longer for decoration but she listens and responds better than before, manners have improved, and she’s more focused.
  • Thomas Weaver
    Dec. 18, 2024
    Another great training session. Very happy with the DTE process and the progress in medical alert training.
  • Davina Martin
    Dec. 10, 2025
    Started with a dog that was all over the place! NOW he's calmer and the commands learned helps keep him this way!
  • Elena Stout
    Dec. 10, 2025
    I've had a great experience with Dog Training Elite Upstate SC. My dog, Riggins, has always been an anxious guy but since we've been working with this team his confidence has grown. Investing in this program has been one of the best decisions we've made for Riggins.
  • Shane Van
    Dec. 10, 2025
    Jan was a wonderful trainer and patient with Jolene. The training has given Jolene more confidence and she has become a fun pup to be around. Would highly recommend!
  • Edward Brey
    Dec. 10, 2025
    Dog Training Elite has been an incredible experience for us. Our trainer, Marshall, is outstanding—not only in training our dog Abby, but also in guiding us as owners. In just a month, we’ve seen a substantial difference in Abby’s behavior and confidence. I highly recommend Dog Training Elite and Marshall to anyone looking for effective, supportive training.
  • Stephanie Cisek
    Dec. 10, 2025
    McCall (and everyone else at DTE) was absolutely incredible—it truly felt like she treated Gunner like her own!! She took our dog—a well-known trash goblin—to a certified good boy. Gunner is seriously the most well-behaved and obedient boy now! He LOVED going every morning, and would even start whining in the car as soon as we turned into the parking lot! We’re excited to start the group classes to keep up on Gunner’s training!
  • S Saal
    Dec. 10, 2025
    Very hard to explain in few words how wonderful this dog training company is. You have to understand that not only the dogs are trained we, the owners, have to be trained too and all the trainers have the ability to communicate with both, remembering that dogs are easier than us parents!☺️I got all 3 packages starting from puppy to service dog. Max is 9 months old now and the difference since he started at 2 months old is amazing. Every single class Max and I learn something different, never boring. The group classes are fun because these dogs are alike having the same training and service dogs that already graduated are always present in these classes showing our babies the right behavior .
  • Bethany Hillman
    Dec. 9, 2025
    Megan is amazing. She has been super patient as we are learning how to train our puppy. She knows a lot about dogs and how they communicate with us. She has lots of ideas and solutions to our specific asks as well.
  • Debbie Ellen
    Dec. 9, 2025
    Jessica has been a God send for me and my boy! it is incredible the amount of knowledge she has. I am so grateful and so happy to have her as our trainer!
  • Joyce Ferrone
    Jul. 31, 2025
    Meggie was great. Came to our home, met our puppy and answered our many questions. We are looking forward to teaching our darling puppy to be a great dog. She taught us how to calm our over activated puppy!!!! So helpful