Crate training can feel like a rollercoaster ride when you’ve got a new puppy in the house. One night they sleep like a dream, the next they’re howling like a coyote at bedtime. If that’s where you’re at — I see you. I’ve been there. The good news? A few simple tweaks can make a huge difference.

Here are 4 common crate training mistakes I see all the time (and yes, I’ve made some of these myself!) — plus what to do instead so your puppy can feel calm, safe, and comfortable in their crate.

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1. Mistake: Using the Crate as a Punishment Zone

It’s tempting — your puppy just chewed your favorite shoe or had an accident and you’re frustrated. But using the crate as a “time-out” can backfire fast. If your puppy thinks the crate means “I’m in trouble,” they’ll start to resist it.

Fix:
Make the crate a happy, peaceful place. Give treats when they go in, toss in a favorite chew toy, or feed meals inside the crate. Think of the crate like your puppy’s cozy little den — a place to rest, not to fear. I get it, your puppy did something they shouldn’t have, and now it’s clean up time and they can’t be under-foot. When you need them to be in their crate, don’t do it with a cranky or frustrated voice. Take a deep breath and use your kind puppy voice when putting puppy in their crate.

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2. Mistake: Not Building Positive Associations or Using the Crate During the Day

If your puppy only experiences the crate at night or when you leave the house, they may associate it with loneliness — not comfort. Without positive daytime experiences, they’re missing the chance to learn that the crate can be a safe, cozy hangout.

Fix:
Start slow. During the day while you’re home, toss treats or toys inside and leave the door open so your puppy can explore it freely. Let them wander in and out, and occasionally close the door for short sessions while you’re nearby. Fold laundry, work on your laptop, or cook dinner while your puppy hangs out in the crate with a chew. These calm, low-pressure moments teach your pup that crate time can be peaceful and predictable — not just something that happens when you disappear.

During naptime, your puppy should be sleeping in their crate — this will also help them with potty training. It may seem like they spend a lot of time in their crate during the day, but when their sleeping – that’s okay!

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3. Mistake: Giving In to Crying Right Away

This one is so hard — I get it. No one wants to hear their puppy cry. But if your puppy learns that crying = crate door opens, they’ll keep doing it (even if their needs are already met).

Fix:
Make sure they’ve gone potty, had playtime, and aren’t hungry. Then, when you put them in the crate, give them a calm “goodnight” or cue word “Sshhhhhh” — and walk away. If they fuss a little, give it a few minutes. Most puppies settle once they realize the drama isn’t working. You’re not being mean — you’re helping them learn to self-soothe.

Tip: A covered crate, a heartbeat toy, or a ticking clock nearby can all help soothe your puppy to sleep. Also – see the Crate Game below.

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4. Mistake: Expecting a Full Night of Sleep Right Away

Tiny bladders. That’s the whole story. Puppies under 12 weeks almost always need a potty break during the night, and that’s completely normal. Expecting them to “hold it” for 8 hours too early can lead to accidents — and setbacks.

Fix:
Your young puppy will likely wake up once during the night. If you’re a heavy sleeper you may want to set an alarm, but most often you’ll hear when your puppy needs a middle-of-the-night potty break. If you’re consistent and keep it boring (no playtime, just potty and back to bed), they’ll soon grow out of needing that break. By 4-5 months, most can sleep through the night.

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My Favorite Crate Game

I always love playing games with my puppies. My favorite? The Crate Game! It’s such a great way to teach patience and calm behavior inside the crate.

Here’s how it works: I start with my puppy inside their crate with a toy or treat and the door closed. I stay close by — usually reading a book or scrolling my phone. It never fails, my puppy starts to whine, bark, or get worked up. At this point I pretend my puppy is invisible — no eye contact, and no trying to calm her down and I’m not telling her to be quiet.

When she’s quiet for just a little bit (maybe only 3–5 seconds at first), I’ll open the crate door and invite her out. I want her to learn that being quiet is what opens up the door. I give her a treat and then put her back in the crate for another round of the game. Next time she may be quiet for 5-10 seconds… then 30 seconds… she will get better at duration as we practice together.

We’ll do this about 2-3 times a day, usually for 10 minutes at a time (or less). It’s amazing how quickly they learn that quiet = freedom!

Pro Tip: Your puppy is learning by association. Don’t speak to her when you’re playing this game and she’s in the crate.

CAUTION – WAKE UP TIME: When your puppy wakes up while in the crate… it’s okay to open the crate door when she’s whining/crying. Her bladder is what is waking her up and she needs to go, soon! While I want my puppy to learn to be quiet to get the crate door to open, I also recognize that we’re potty training too and I can’t expect a puppy to be quiet when she has to pee.

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Crate training takes patience, but it’s so worth it in the long run. A well-crate-trained puppy will be calmer, easier to potty train, and feel safe when you’re not around. If you’ve made one (or all!) of these mistakes — don’t stress. Puppies are very forgiving, and a little consistency goes a long way.

If you’re in the middle of crate training and have questions about your specific puppy, I’m always happy to help. You can text me any time at 602-628-0301.

Ready to meet your new best friend? Click here to see our current available puppies and find the one that’s just right for your family.

Want more puppy training tips? Check out the rest of our blog for more real-life advice from a breeder who’s raised a whole lot of doodle puppies since 2014.