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Crate Training

Dog Training Elite Midlands SC

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A young dog receiving puppy crate training in Columbia, SC from DTE.

Dog Training Elite

Puppy Crate Training in Columbia, SC

Crate training for puppies helps your dog develop a sense of security. Crates appeal to a dog’s natural instincts, offering them a safe, familiar area to relax and retreat when needed.

Crate training also plays a key role in housebreaking. Once a puppy learns that their crate is a safe place, or 'den', they will instinctively want to keep this area clean. During house breaking, keeping your puppy inside the crate dramatically reduces accidents. Keep eyes and ears open to your puppy's bathroom signals and quickly bring him or her outside. This will help your puppy learn that outside is the place to go, not inside.

At Dog Training Elite, we offer expert puppy crate training in Columbia, SC to help guide you through the process. Our trainers work with you to help your puppy become comfortable with their crate and use it as a positive training tool.

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Dog Training Elite Midlands SC

Crate Training Tips

Crate training is a valuable tool when done correctly, but it's important to follow best practices to ensure your dog remains comfortable and secure. Here are a few tips to help you make the most of crate training.

Avoid leaving your dog in the crate for more than two hours at a time to prevent discomfort and ensure they don’t associate the crate with confinement.
If you’re away for long periods, consider leaving your puppy with a friend or in a safe area where they have more room to move.
Choose a crate that fits your puppy’s size, or use an adjustable crate to accommodate their growth and ensure ongoing comfort.
Leave the crate door open when possible so your dog can enter and exit freely, helping them feel more at ease with the space.
Add a soft bed, blankets, and toys to make the crate a cozy, inviting space your puppy will enjoy spending time in.
Never use the crate for punishment—this can create fear and negative associations with the crate instead of security.
A puppy looking up at its owner during crate training in Columbia, SC with DTE.

Why Should You Use Crate Training?

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Crate training can also improve other aspects of your pet's life. A dog that is used to a crate will feel more comfortable when traveling and have a safe place to retreat during thunderstorms or noisy guests. At Dog Training Elite, we believe that crate training can enhance the lives of both dog and owner when done properly.

Additional benefits of crate training include:

  • General Safety: Having your pup in their crate allows them to be alone while you are unable to watch them. Whether you are busy at home or out of the house, a crate trained puppy can give you peace of mind that your pup is safe and secure.
  • Effective Evacuation: In emergencies, crate training can save your dog’s life as a quick, low-stress way to evacuate.
  • Calmer Vet Visits: Should your pup be required to stay overnight at the vet’s, they will experience less stress and put up little resistance in their cage if they have been crate trained.

Crate training young, starting at about 8 weeks, is the best option for most pups and their owners. Keep in mind, though, that puppies under the age of 6 months should not be confined to their crate for more than three or four hours at a time. Allowing them to stay in the crate for too long will lead to a messy space, as young puppies are unable to control their bladders or bowels for extended periods. This also applies to adult dogs who are being housetrained.

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Two well-behaved puppies after training in their crates.

Start Crate Training Today


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Crate training helps puppies feel secure by providing them with a safe and comfortable space of their own. It also speeds up housebreaking, reduces accidents, and prepares your puppy for situations like vet visits or travel. When done right, crate training fosters a sense of security and builds healthy routines.

At Dog Training Elite Midlands SC, we’re here to support you and your puppy throughout the crate training process. Contact us today for a free consultation and take the first step toward a well-trained and happy pup!

Get Your Free Assessment

You and your canine companion really can have it all. See how easy it can be to become a member of the elite pup society by requesting a free consultation today!

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Hear From Our Customers

Learn Why Dog owners choose Dog Training Elite

  • Matt Hancock
    May. 9, 2025
    Very friendly, seemed knowledgeable about training dogs. Looking forward to the experience.
  • Jeri England
    Apr. 15, 2025
    Crystal is wonderful and knows just how to relate to Archie. She's training us both to be better and much happier. We are enjoying our sessions.
  • Katherine Anderson
    Apr. 24, 2025
    Crystal is marvelous with my dog, Earle. She gives him very clear commands, that he usually obeys. She explains what she’s doing to me very clearly. I would highly recommend Crystal and Justin. In fact, I have recommended them.
  • Dottie Reynolds
    Apr. 25, 2025
    Crystal is amazing. Each time she tells us what she plans to have our dog Ocho do in each session, I think to myself— yeah, good luck with that. But, she is in full command but in a very positive and supportive way. The Elite process is well organized and systematic. In just 3 weeks, we have seen a remarkable difference. Thank you, Crystal!
  • Peyton Cross
    Apr. 29, 2025
    Justin and his team were amazing throughout the entire process. They explained in depth the reasons and processes of training my dog. Would definitely recommend to anyone looking for a trainer for their pup.
  • Sprint Data Solutions
    Mar. 28, 2025
    Elite did a good job with the lesson and training as always
  • John Ogle
    Apr. 23, 2025
    Dog Training Elite has done an exceptional job with our puppy. The transformation after five sessions is amazing. It is worth the investment!
  • Shawn Covington
    Mar. 14, 2025
    I feel as if we made the right decision using Dog Training Elite. They are very knowledgeable and friendly.
  • Betty Pearson
    Jan. 14, 2025
    Take his time and shows a LOT of patience with my CoCo and me. Highly recommend!
  • Cathy Blanks
    Mar. 28, 2025
    Instructors are extremely knowledgeable and my dog responded immediately. Already seeing behavior improvement after 2 sessions.
  • Rhonda VanMeter
    Apr. 17, 2025
    Crystal is outstanding. The program is well designed and has been very effective so far.
  • Janet Dennis
    Feb. 24, 2025
    Justin is very patient with our fur baby and with us. We are more than pleased with our experience.
  • Alec Pettigrew
    Apr. 11, 2025
    Our initial assessment with Crystal went well. Packages and expectations for results were made clear. Crystal was accommodating and respectful.
  • Brian Pioreck
    Jan. 28, 2025
    Professional, polite, straight forward, and honestly. Crystal explained the whole process as well as expectation that would be set. She provided a skills demonstration in a practice environment and made it clear that success relied on my investment.
  • Bonita Dominique
    Apr. 11, 2025
    Excellent Dog Traing
  • Amanda Boozer
    Apr. 7, 2025
    Crystal came to our house for an initial evaluation. She was patient, kind, and seemed confident and knowledgeable.
  • Leah Thomas
    Mar. 26, 2025
    In a short 3 weeks, we have already seen great improvement with our puppy, Ruby. Justin is 100%! Knowledgeable, kind, patient, wonderful with Ruby. Highly recommend
  • Mary Raunikar
    Mar. 25, 2025
    I cannot recommend Justin and Crystal enough! When I rescued a 30 lb 3 month old Great Pyrenees for my first time owning a dog solo, I didn’t realize what I was in for. If you know anything about Pyrs, you know it’s a miracle my dog listens to me at all and possesses any sense of urgency whatsoever. I attempted training him on my own for about a month before I reached my limit. When I had my consultation with Justin, I finally saw the light at the end of the land shark puppy phase. Justin and Crystal helped Bug go from an unmotivated, reactive, fluffy escape artist with an attitude to an extremely well-behaved therapy dog with consistent recall, great manners, and top notch off leash obedience that will last the rest of his life. I can say with 100% confidence that working with Justin and Crystal has been the best choice I have made as a dog owner! If you are the kind of person that loves to get compliments from family, friends, and strangers about how well behaved and well trained your dog is, Justin and Crystal are the dog trainers for you!
  • Stacey Rostek
    Mar. 19, 2025
    He was great! He knew how to handle our aggressive dog in difficult situations when training him!
  • jerri strother
    Mar. 8, 2025
    My dog Keebo has been going through in house training for the past 5 weeks and it has been great. My friend also has her dogs Tucker and Sadie in training. I never thought it would be possible to have visitors walk through the door and it could be calm in the house. Prior to training our three 100 lb dogs would go crazy and bombard the visitor. It was very chaotic. Now we can place our dogs in their spot and they will stay there as the visitor enters the house. Quietly. It’s wonderful. They have also learned how to heal, sit, down ect. Our dogs all knew basic commands but the difference is now the commands mean sit and stay. Down and stay until you give the command to release them. I even texted Justin one day and said how amazing it was that the HVAC guy could come into the house and our dogs didn’t go crazy. It’s one thing to go through training and feel like it’s working but when you can actually try it for the first time with a visitor it’s wonderful. We are so thankful to Justin and his team. They are patient and have a very calming demeanor. It’s been a great experience and we are looking forward to group sessions at the park soon. If you live in Lexington, Chapin or the Lake Murray area please give them a try. You won’t be disappointed.
  • Matt Hancock
    May. 9, 2025
    Very friendly, seemed knowledgeable about training dogs. Looking forward to the experience.
  • Jeri England
    Apr. 15, 2025
    Crystal is wonderful and knows just how to relate to Archie. She's training us both to be better and much happier. We are enjoying our sessions.
  • Katherine Anderson
    Apr. 24, 2025
    Crystal is marvelous with my dog, Earle. She gives him very clear commands, that he usually obeys. She explains what she’s doing to me very clearly. I would highly recommend Crystal and Justin. In fact, I have recommended them.
  • Dottie Reynolds
    Apr. 25, 2025
    Crystal is amazing. Each time she tells us what she plans to have our dog Ocho do in each session, I think to myself— yeah, good luck with that. But, she is in full command but in a very positive and supportive way. The Elite process is well organized and systematic. In just 3 weeks, we have seen a remarkable difference. Thank you, Crystal!
  • Peyton Cross
    Apr. 29, 2025
    Justin and his team were amazing throughout the entire process. They explained in depth the reasons and processes of training my dog. Would definitely recommend to anyone looking for a trainer for their pup.
  • Sprint Data Solutions
    Mar. 28, 2025
    Elite did a good job with the lesson and training as always
  • John Ogle
    Apr. 23, 2025
    Dog Training Elite has done an exceptional job with our puppy. The transformation after five sessions is amazing. It is worth the investment!
  • Shawn Covington
    Mar. 14, 2025
    I feel as if we made the right decision using Dog Training Elite. They are very knowledgeable and friendly.
  • Betty Pearson
    Jan. 14, 2025
    Take his time and shows a LOT of patience with my CoCo and me. Highly recommend!
  • Cathy Blanks
    Mar. 28, 2025
    Instructors are extremely knowledgeable and my dog responded immediately. Already seeing behavior improvement after 2 sessions.
  • Rhonda VanMeter
    Apr. 17, 2025
    Crystal is outstanding. The program is well designed and has been very effective so far.
  • Janet Dennis
    Feb. 24, 2025
    Justin is very patient with our fur baby and with us. We are more than pleased with our experience.
  • Alec Pettigrew
    Apr. 11, 2025
    Our initial assessment with Crystal went well. Packages and expectations for results were made clear. Crystal was accommodating and respectful.
  • Brian Pioreck
    Jan. 28, 2025
    Professional, polite, straight forward, and honestly. Crystal explained the whole process as well as expectation that would be set. She provided a skills demonstration in a practice environment and made it clear that success relied on my investment.
  • Bonita Dominique
    Apr. 11, 2025
    Excellent Dog Traing
  • Amanda Boozer
    Apr. 7, 2025
    Crystal came to our house for an initial evaluation. She was patient, kind, and seemed confident and knowledgeable.
  • Leah Thomas
    Mar. 26, 2025
    In a short 3 weeks, we have already seen great improvement with our puppy, Ruby. Justin is 100%! Knowledgeable, kind, patient, wonderful with Ruby. Highly recommend
  • Mary Raunikar
    Mar. 25, 2025
    I cannot recommend Justin and Crystal enough! When I rescued a 30 lb 3 month old Great Pyrenees for my first time owning a dog solo, I didn’t realize what I was in for. If you know anything about Pyrs, you know it’s a miracle my dog listens to me at all and possesses any sense of urgency whatsoever. I attempted training him on my own for about a month before I reached my limit. When I had my consultation with Justin, I finally saw the light at the end of the land shark puppy phase. Justin and Crystal helped Bug go from an unmotivated, reactive, fluffy escape artist with an attitude to an extremely well-behaved therapy dog with consistent recall, great manners, and top notch off leash obedience that will last the rest of his life. I can say with 100% confidence that working with Justin and Crystal has been the best choice I have made as a dog owner! If you are the kind of person that loves to get compliments from family, friends, and strangers about how well behaved and well trained your dog is, Justin and Crystal are the dog trainers for you!
  • Stacey Rostek
    Mar. 19, 2025
    He was great! He knew how to handle our aggressive dog in difficult situations when training him!
  • jerri strother
    Mar. 8, 2025
    My dog Keebo has been going through in house training for the past 5 weeks and it has been great. My friend also has her dogs Tucker and Sadie in training. I never thought it would be possible to have visitors walk through the door and it could be calm in the house. Prior to training our three 100 lb dogs would go crazy and bombard the visitor. It was very chaotic. Now we can place our dogs in their spot and they will stay there as the visitor enters the house. Quietly. It’s wonderful. They have also learned how to heal, sit, down ect. Our dogs all knew basic commands but the difference is now the commands mean sit and stay. Down and stay until you give the command to release them. I even texted Justin one day and said how amazing it was that the HVAC guy could come into the house and our dogs didn’t go crazy. It’s one thing to go through training and feel like it’s working but when you can actually try it for the first time with a visitor it’s wonderful. We are so thankful to Justin and his team. They are patient and have a very calming demeanor. It’s been a great experience and we are looking forward to group sessions at the park soon. If you live in Lexington, Chapin or the Lake Murray area please give them a try. You won’t be disappointed.