Dog Won't Go Into Crate? Here is what to do

Dog Won't Go Into the Crate? Here's What to Do

If your dog refuses to go into the crate, you are not alone. This is one of the most common crate training problems dog owners deal with, and the good news is it is very fixable with the right approach.

In the video above, I work with JJ, a dog who was extremely resistant to going into his crate. When I asked him to go in, he pulled away, braced against the floor, and wanted nothing to do with it. Sound familiar? Here is exactly what I did to turn that around.

Why Dogs Refuse the Crate

Before you can fix the problem you need to understand why it is happening. Most dogs that refuse the crate have learned to associate it with something negative. The moment they go in, the door shuts, the owner leaves, and they are stuck. That is not a fun experience from your dog's perspective.

Your job is to change that association. The crate needs to stop meaning confinement and start meaning good things happen in there. That shift is what this entire training approach is built around.

What You Will Need

A leash attached to your dog and a high value treat your dog goes crazy for. Think cheese, soft smelly treats, or deli meat. The higher the value of the treat the faster this works. This is not the time for your dog's regular kibble.

The Crate Training Game

Start by getting your dog interested in the food. Feed a treat right in front of the crate first, not inside it. You are just warming up your dog's motivation and getting their attention on you and the food.

Next, toss a treat just inside the crate entrance. Let your dog stretch in to grab it and come right back out. That last part is important. Let them come back out. You are teaching your dog that going into the crate does not automatically mean getting locked inside.

Say your crate command, I use kennel, as you toss the treat in. Repeat this ten to fifteen times. Keep it moving, keep it fun, and keep letting the dog come back out after each repetition.

If your dog will not go in for the food, either the treat value is not high enough or you need to use light physical guidance with the leash to help them in. Once they go in and eat the treat, let them come right back out and reward again.

As your dog gets more comfortable, start feeding the treat from the door area rather than tossing it all the way inside. This is the progression you are working toward, a dog that goes into the crate on command and receives their reward at the door.

The Key Point Most Owners Miss

Always end the training session with your dog out of the crate, not locked inside it. You are building a positive association through repetition. If you end every session by shutting the door and leaving, you undo the progress you just made.

Practice this game as often as possible throughout the day. Ten to fifteen repetitions per session is ideal.

What to Do Between Sessions

Feed all of your dog's meals inside the crate. Place any chew bones or stuffed Kongs inside the crate as well. You want every good thing in your dog's life to happen in or around that crate. Over time the crate stops being a place your dog avoids and starts being a place they actually want to go.

Most dogs show significant improvement within one to two weeks when you implement this consistently.

Want the Complete System?

This exercise is one piece of a complete housetraining and crate training approach. If you want the full step-by-step process for getting your dog reliably housetrained and comfortable in the crate, my Housebreaking and Crate Training Guide covers everything from start to finish for just $27.

Get the Housebreaking and Crate Training Guide for $27