Crate training your goldendoodle is one of the best things you can do when it comes to providing your new dog with a happy and healthy home environment. Below, we’ve given you everything you need to know about crate training and we’ve made the information super-easy to digest by breaking it down into three main sections:
Crate Training Basics
Benefits of Crate Training
Teaching your new goldendoodle to relax comfortably in a crate can make life better for you both. Preventing separation anxiety is just one of the many benefits that come with teaching your pup that her crate is a safe and wonderful place. Here are some of the other areas where crate training can help most:
Potty Training will be much easier
The crate is an invaluable tool for house-training your puppy. An appropriately-sized crate calls upon a puppy’s natural inclination not to soil their immediate living space. Using the crate properly for short periods throughout the day will help strengthen your puppy’s bladder muscles so they can ‘hold it’.
The safety of your pup, and your stuff
Crate training manages a puppy or new dog’s environment. When you cannot directly supervise them, a dog resting comfortably or chewing their appropriate toys in the crate is Not eating something dangerous, destroying your belongings, or making any number of other undesirable doggy decisions. Using confinement properly with your new addition prevents unwanted habits from the start.
A place of one’s own
Acclimating to a new home is inherently stressful for a new dog or puppy. Having a small, secure space to call their own can keep them from being overwhelmed by their new environment.
Dogs sleep a surprising amount of the day – 12-14 hours on average. Growing puppies as well as newly adopted dogs need even more restful sleep; the crate gives them a quiet undisturbed place to catch much-needed z’s.
Crating is a valuable lifelong skill
Long after your goldendoodle may have outgrown the need for their crate, there will be situations in their life where they need to be kenneled – such as staying at the vet, groomer, a boarding facility, or while traveling. For a dog who has been crate trained, being confined in a crate will not add to the stress of that experience but rather be a place that feels familiar and comfortable..
Is it Cruel or Kind to Crate?
You’ll hear lots of opinions about crate training, and probably have feelings of your own. Let’s bust some myths right away:
Myth #1: Your puppy will naturally love the crate because dogs are ‘den animals’.
Eh. Not exactly. Aside from mothers whelping and raising their young, dogs are not considered ‘denning’ animals. Plenty of dogs do like to nestle underneath objects to rest, but still, it’s not the same as a closed and locked crate. It takes purposeful training to have our dogs feel secure and comfortable being confined this way.
Myth #2: It’s okay to crate a dog all day while you are at work.
While it may be true that a house-trained adult dog can physically hold it for 8-10 hours, from a welfare standpoint it is certainly not ideal for a dog to be alone and confined this way. Dogs are extremely social creatures; they thrive in proximity to humans and inclusion in their family group. A crate should not be used for longer than short periods of rest. If you have to work a full day, it is recommended to enlist the help of a trusted dog walker or doggy daycare, to meet your dog’s daily needs for physical exercise and social interaction.
Myth #3: Using a crate is not really training – it’s just management.
Well that’s just silly. Management IS an important part of training, especially for a young or new dog learning what behaviors are/are not appropriate in the home. Building and reinforcing the habit of relaxing quietly and chewing appropriately in the crate, sets a dog up for success behaviorally.
Myth #4: If a puppy is barking or crying in the crate, you must let them ‘cry it out’.
Your puppy should not be crying in her crate for more than 10 or 15 minutes. Some whining or what I call ‘puppy protestation’ is to be expected, however, when you are first getting your doodle acclimated to the crate. We will talk about the steps to take proactively to minimize this, as well as what to do if your puppy does cry in the crate. You do not want to teach your puppy that brief protestations get him out of the crate. On the other hand, the puppy should not be experiencing true distress or panic while crated. We will talk about how to recognize this, which is when you should and slow down your process and/or seek the help of a professional trainer.
Choosing the Right Crate for Your Goldendoodle
There are many options when it comes to choosing the best crate to become your goldendoodle’s favorite chill spot. Here are important considerations:
Size Matters
To reap the potty training benefits of the crate, it should be just big enough for your pup to stand up, turn around, and lay down comfortably. Puppies grow of course, and you’ll want a crate that can fit him at his expected adult size. For this reason many crates come with divider panels that allow you to size the crate appropriately and make it larger as the puppy grows (or as solid potty habits are established).
Easy Cleaning
Consider how easily you can clean the crate should accidents happen. Most wire crates have a removable bottom pan that makes this easy. Plastic, ‘kennel style’ crates can be taken apart for thorough cleaning. There are also newer, stylish plastic crates available which are designed for easy cleaning and portability. I do not recommend ‘soft-sided’ crates as they are easily chewed and not easily cleaned.
Crate Style
As we will discuss, your puppy’s crate should be located in a central part of your home, so style may be a factor for you (I ain’t mad ya!). A fitted crate cover can be a functional and fashionable choice for a wire crate. The Diggs Revol crate makes crate training chic, with lots of cute matching accessory options. There are also wooden furniture-like crates which can blend seamlessly into your decor – consider whether they have divider options and how easily they can be cleaned.
Chewy is one of the best place for prices on basic crates btw, and their customer service is legendary.
Where Should I Put My Puppy’s Crate?
I mentioned that dogs are highly social; your young dood will naturally not want to be separated from the family. A quiet corner of a central room in your house where the family tends to relax is a good option. You want the puppy to be able to see, hear and smell what’s going on, while still feeling cozy and undisturbed.
Many families opt to get two crates – one for use during the day and one for sleeping. The reason is – especially for brand new puppies – it can be comforting for them to sleep near you at night. For this reason you may keep the nighttime crate on a nightstand next to your bed, so your new puppy can be comforted by your proximity. Of course you could take the crate back and forth each day; I’m personally way too lazy for all that.
Teaching Your Pup to Be Comfortable in Its Crate
The First Day – How To Introduce Your Doodle Dog to the Cate
If you are bringing home a brand new puppy, first of all, know that the first few nights might be ruff. Your puppy has been with his mom and littermates for all of his young life, and suddenly everything is new and unfamiliar.
A really exceptional breeder will have already started some crate conditioning with the puppy. If you are reading this, you may already have chosen your puppy or brought her home, but if you haven’t yet, consider asking potential breeders if they will have started any crate training protocols before the puppy comes home. This will make the transition so much easier for you and your doodle, and is a hint that you’ve found a good breeder.
Should I lock my puppy in the crate at night?
For your puppy’s safety and comfort, and ease of training, you should get them used to sleeping in a closed crate, preferably from the first night. Set your nighttime crate up with some soft bedding (you don’t know your puppy’s bedding preferences or chewing habits yet – so don’t go crazy). Many of my goldendoodle puppy parents love the Snuggle Puppy Heartbeat Stuffed Toy to help soothe their pup in the nighttime crate.
The first day home will undoubtedly be a whirlwind for your new puppy; she may have traveled by air or car to get to you, and has experienced so much new and confusing stimuli! Your family will undoubtedly be gaga over the new addition, but keep things relatively calm. Take your puppy on a leashed tour of your yard, potty spot, and when she’s pottied, take her in to check out her new home. Keep her on a light leash and show her to the crate. Don’t push or put her in there just yet! Give her ample time to sniff around and check out the new digs. In addition to one or two chew toys, maybe there happen to be a couple yummy pieces of chicken in there! If it’s time to feed your puppy, put her food inside the crate.
When it’s time for bed, bring the puppy to the nighttime crate in your room. Make sure she’s had a chance to potty right before, and you’ve not given her anything to eat or drink 2-3 hours before bedtime. Again, your puppy will have had quite a day, and will likely be very tired.
The first night will be a big adjustment for your puppy, and there may be some crying. I recommend setting the nighttime crate up next to your bed, up on a nightstand if necessary, so that you are right there to comfort your puppy. Bring your puppy to bed with you and gently place them in the crate. If the puppy whines or fusses, soothe them without opening the crate by talking softly and sweetly and putting your hand or fingers in the crate to stroke them.
Your puppy will need to go potty at some time during the night. See our Potty Training article for more on this. If your puppy starts to cry or fuss during the night, take them out, carry them outside and set them down on a leash in their potty area. Do not talk or interact with them. Give them 5 minutes to go and then carry them back and put them in the crate.
Play The Crate Game – Teach Your Puppy to Happily Go in the Crate on Their Own
This is one of the first training games I play with a new puppy! Right away, get your puppy to love walking into his crate, because good things happen inside!
These steps will likely be spread out over a few days of playing the crate game. Puppies have little attention spans, and 5 minutes of learning is a lot! You want to always end a training session on a happy, engaged and successful note. This is a perfect way to feed part of your puppy’s meal!
- Let your dog see you toss a yummy treat into their crate.
- When they go in to get it, ‘Mark’ that behavior with Good Boy, Yes or click! Reward him with a couple of treats placed inside the crate.
- As soon as he’s finished finding and eating all the goodies – just before he comes out on his own – you can say a release word like “Okay!”, and encourage him to come out. You aren’t shutting the door at this point in the game. Your puppy is just going in, getting a treat party, and coming right out.
- Next, begin to mark and reward your puppy for staying inside the crate. First just a second, then two, very slowly increase the length of time that you continue to say your marker word and deliver treats inside the crate.
You want to reinforce relaxation in the crate, so if your puppy chooses a more relaxed position like a Sit or Down, say your marker and deliver a yummy Jackpot of four or five tiny treats in a row. - After several successful repetitions, your puppy may be starting to go into the crate before you throw a treat in! This is when you can add your chosen ‘cue word’. When the puppy is reliably and happily running into his crate, say your cue just before he goes in! You can use, “Crate!” or “Kennel!”, whatever you like. When he goes in, mark and feed a couple more treats inside.
- Once your pup is happily dashing into his crate, begin to softly shut the door while he is hunting for his treats. Again, while he is still happy and sniffing for treats, open the door and encourage him out.
- After several repetitions of that, close the door, leave it shut and feed your puppy treats through the gate. Do this for just a few seconds, then open the door and calmly but happily say “Ok!” By now you may have to actively encourage your pup to come out!
Make Crate Rest a Regular, Predictable Part of Your Pup’s Daily Routine
It will be confusing and upsetting for your puppy if you use the crate Only when you need to leave them! Dogs are extremely social animals who thrive on interaction with their human family. You do not want to associate the puppy’s crate with social isolation, which is naturally aversive to a dog.
You Do want to associate the crate with calmness and relaxation. It is a place to rest quietly and sleep. So that they are good and ready for a nap when it’s time to crate, you want to fulfill the puppy’s needs for physical exercise, mental stimulation, social interaction and of course, meet their potty needs.
Crate naps during the day
After your puppy has had a walk, some play time, training and gone potty, practice putting them in the crate while you are in the same room, but otherwise occupied. You might do some household chores like fold laundry, sit and scroll on your phone or read a book. If you work from home, have your puppy’s crate near your desk. The idea is that your puppy is comforted by your proximity, but getting used to resting quietly and not having your full attention all of the time. If your puppy fusses in the crate, you can move closer to assure him without letting him out.
You might give your puppy a special ‘high-value’ chew like a bully stick or stuffed KONG toy to nosh on while he winds down in his crate. You want the puppy to associate Good Things with happening in his chill spot, so the crate is an ideal place to give these special types of treats.
As your puppy gets used to crate time with you nearby, you can practice going in and out of the room for just a few seconds, working up to a few minutes at a time.
Sleep Happens in The Crate
Young, growing puppies sleep a whole lot – up to 18-20 hours per day. For this reason crate training is usually easier with a brand new puppy. During the day your puppy will likely conk out on his own, snuggled with you or in the middle of the room. As much as it will pain you, carry the puppy to his crate and place him in there to finish his nap just as you would gently place a sleeping baby in their crib.
As your puppy grows into adolescence – which begins somewhere around 5-6 months around the time they start losing puppy teeth (Hallelujah) – they will begin to need less sleep and more physical and mental activity. Adjust your crate schedule accordingly but resist the urge to stop crating altogether. As teenagers will, your pup will begin to value their personal freedom and it’s normal to experience some testing of boundaries and emotional outbursts. Routine and structure – as well as deep rest periods and behavior management – will be as important as ever during this time in their development.
Crate training an adult dog may be more difficult depending on the dog’s learning history and possible associations with confinement. The same basic principles will apply. A consistent, predictable routine is absolutely key, though you may have fewer crate naps. Usually, mid-morning and early evening are key resting times. Play Lots of the Crate Game and reserve the most special chews and snacks to give inside of the crate. Make every effort to satiate your dog’s physical, mental and social needs before crating. Practice crating while you work nearby, and support your new adult dog through the process as needed.
Common Crate Training Questions
How Long Can My Goldendoodle Be Crated?
Just because your dog can physically hold their bladder does not mean it is appropriate to leave them in the crate for long periods of the day. According to the American Veterinary Association of Behavior, a dog is in a good state of welfare, “if it is healthy, comfortable, well-nourished, safe, able to express innate behavior, and if it is not suffering from unpleasant states such as pain, fear, and distress.” Innate behavior for a dog includes moving freely, having regular physical exercise, and being included in their social group. For the majority of dogs, long periods of social isolation are inherently distressing.
If you work full-time and regularly need to leave your dog alone for the whole day, you’ll want to first of all explore a confinement solution which affords the dog more room, such as a secure x-pen or gated area like a kitchen or small room. To ensure their social needs are being provided for, enlist the help of a trusted dog-walker or doggy daycare facility.
Should I Let My Doodle Puppy ‘Cry it Out’ in the Crate?
You may encounter many strong YES or NO opinions on this issue – my answer is a bit more nuanced. While it’s beneficial to allow 5-10 minutes for a cranky doodle puppy to calm down and learn to self-soothe, it is not beneficial to your puppy to remain distressed in the crate.
Some will tell you never to let a crying puppy out of their crate, because we don’t want to reinforce the behavior. In other words you do not want your puppy to learn that crying gets them let out of the crate. There is truth to this, of course. A young dog or puppy will experiment with behavior and that may include some normal ‘puppy protestation’. Puppies can also be a lot like toddlers, and may give you the cranky puppy version of “But I don’t need a nap!”
If you’ve done your due diligence, ignoring the drama should result in the puppy settling down to sleep within a few minutes.
If your puppy hasn’t settled after 10 minutes, his body is in a state of stress and he needs you to soothe him. Try talking sweetly to him through the crate the way you would comfort a fussy baby. You might place treats slowly and calmly through the bars and place them between his paws one after another, gradually extending the time between each. If you can get him relatively calm this way, go ahead and take him out then.
Be proactive
Any of my puppy training clients reading this, I saw you roll your eyes just now! Yes, I say it a lot – the best training approach is one that proactively prevents unwanted behavior.
To minimize barking or crying in the crate, take measures to expend your puppy’s physical and mental energy and satisfy their need for social and environmental interaction (through a stimulating walk outside if your puppy is able, interactive play with toys, training a new trick or behavior, practicing recalls during a romp in the yard) before you put them in the crate for a nap. Make sure your puppy has been fed and their bladder emptied.
If your puppy cries or barks in the crate for more than 10-15 minutes, and seems to be working himself into a frenzy, stress hormones are being released in his little body which isn’t good for his well-being or your training. Take measures to try and soothe your puppy:
Cover the crate
A fitted crate cover (or a dark colored sheet draped over three sides of the crate) can help some puppies by reducing visual stimulation and providing a darker, cozy sleep-friendly environment.
Soothing music
‘Through a Dog’s Ear’ is music that claims to be ‘psychoacoustically designed’ and tested to help calm your dog. You can find it on Spotify and Amazon.
Research out of Scotland suggested that reggae and soft rock were the most relaxing genres for dogs. The studies found that dogs each had their own individual preferences, but that dogs spent “significantly more time lying and significantly less time standing” when music was played, regardless of genre. My own dogs are partial to Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata.
A white noise machine or box fan faced away from the crate may also provide ambient noise for your puppy to relax to.
Snuffle mat
A snuffle mat is a wonderful thing – made of fleecy fabric strips woven onto a backing, it is basically a shaggy bath-mat type thing that you could use as a pad inside the crate. Scatter kibble onto the mat, and let your dog sniff and ‘snuffle’ out the food.
If you already have your dog or puppy you know how fond they are of sniffing. We also know that sniffing lowers a dog’s heart rate and reduces the secretion of stress hormones. It’s also mentally absorbing, which can help tire your puppy in a healthy way.
Sweet talk
It shouldn’t be verboten to comfort a distressed puppy! If you feel your puppy is truly having a hard time, you can come near their crate and talk softly to them. Perhaps settle in next to the crate and read the puppy a story.
Panic and distress
Don’t allow your puppy to panic in the crate. You will recognize true distress when you hear it; your puppy may also show physiological symptoms. If your puppy is trembling, drooling, panting excessively, you should take him out of the crate. Slow down the process outlined above. Reach out to a professional trainer to help you support your puppy.
When is My Puppy Ready to Sleep Out of the Crate?
Your puppy is an individual; through raising and training your young doodle, you will learn what he can handle and where he needs your support to build good behaviors. For my personal dogs, around two years has been the age where they are mentally mature enough, and have established good behaviors for long enough that they no longer need to be confined to their crate at night or when left alone. This happens over time, not suddenly, and each of my dogs has had their own individual timeline.
It is my feeling that many puppy owners are in a rush to give their puppy too much freedom, too soon. My advice is to put in the work during your puppy’s first formative year of life, managing to ensure good habits are reinforced and undesirable habits are never practiced. You’ll know you are on a great track when your growing pup starts to retire to his crate all on his own between scheduled naps! This diligence will pay off with many happy years of a well-behaved companion.
Melissa Schiraldi is the founder and owner of True Love Dog Training located in Westchester, NY. Melissa has been working professionally with dogs since 2013. She is an ADI Certified Service Dog Trainer,