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Updated 2026-09-21

Crate comfort

Build a genuinely relaxing den the dog chooses to use, rather than a place they are shut into.

Dogs2–5 minutes, twice daily
Dog and guardian demonstrating reward-based crate comfort
Four-stage reward-based training progression: set up, mark, reward and progress
Set up an easy success, mark the wanted choice, reward promptly and add only one small challenge at a time.

Step by step

  1. Step 1

    Make it worth visiting

    Scatter rewards near and inside the open crate throughout the day without asking the dog to stay.

  2. Step 2

    Feed inside

    Serve meals or a chew just inside, then a little further back as confidence grows.

  3. Step 3

    Reward settling

    Quietly place rewards between the paws when the dog lies down, then step away one pace and return.

  4. Step 4

    Introduce the door

    Close the door for one second, reward, open it again. Build duration in seconds, never minutes.

Troubleshooting

  • If the dog freezes or refuses to enter, remove the door and go back to scattering food outside.
  • Whining, drooling or scrabbling means the step was too big — shorten the closed time.