Crate Training & Potty Training: Building Habits That Last

The crate should be your dog’s safe place — the spot they go to eat, sleep, chew on a bone, or just relax. It’s not a punishment. When used correctly, it becomes a positive, secure space.

One of the biggest crate training mistakes I see is using the crate only when you leave the house. This creates a negative association. The dog learns that going in the crate means you’re leaving and they might be stuck there for hours. Instead, use the crate throughout the day in varying short increments — 1 minute, 5 minutes, 30 minutes — and always reward the dog while they’re in it and when they come out. This builds a positive association.

A great routine is to take the dog for a nice long walk or run to get them really tired, then put them in the crate for a nap. That helps them see the crate as a good thing.

For potty training, the two biggest mistakes are using puppy pads and not having a clear schedule. Puppy pads teach your dog it’s okay to relieve themselves inside. Not having consistency confuses the puppy about when and where it’s acceptable.

A solid schedule looks like this: Take the puppy outside first thing in the morning, then after breakfast go right back outside. Give 10–30 minutes of crate time to digest, then go outside again. If they don’t go, back in the crate for another 10–30 minutes. Repeat until they go potty outside. Once they do, they can have free time. Continue taking them out every 30 minutes to an hour. Do the same routine around dinner time.

Clear structure and accountability make both crate and potty training much easier. Without it, the dog gets confused about the rules.

Establishing rules, boundaries, and structure always leads your dog to trust and respect you more.