KennelDog walks into a crate or kennel on cue
A crate should be a safe den, not a jail cell. If the dog's only crate experience is being shut in, the word will become a threat. Build value inside first (meals, chews, naps) before adding the cue.
Also known as: Crate, Go In
At a glance
- Tier
- 1 · Basic
- Time to fluency
- 2–6 weeks
- Practice
- 5× per week, 5 min each
- Equipment
- A crate sized for the dog, Small soft treats, A long-lasting chew
Prerequisites
Your dog should know these words first:
How to teach kennel
Lure
Toss treats into the crate so the dog enters to eat
- Door stays open for the first many sessions. No trapping
- Toss treats deep into the crate so the dog fully enters
- Feed meals in the crate with the door open to build positive associations
- Let the dog exit freely. Choosing to stay is the goal, not being stuck
Hand Signal
Point into the crate with a sweeping gesture
- Point and wait. Let the dog choose to enter
- Reward inside the crate, not after they come back out
- Once entry is reliable, start closing the door briefly, then longer
- Always open the door while the dog is calm, not while they are fussing
Verbal Cue
Name the behaviour once the dog enters eagerly
- Say the word, then point. Fade the point over sessions
- Vary what happens after: sometimes a chew, sometimes a nap, sometimes the door stays open
- Practise at bedtime and during the day so the crate is not only for sleep
Success criteria
- Unlearned
- Avoids the crate or refuses to enter
- In progress
- Enters on the word from across the room
- Mastered
- Enters calmly on cue and settles even when exciting things are happening outside
Common mistakes
- Closing the door too soon, before the dog is comfortable inside
- Only using the crate when leaving, so the cue predicts being alone
- Letting the dog out when they are whining, which rewards the noise
- Using the crate as punishment, which poisons the whole concept