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Crate Training

Dog Training Elite Fitchburg

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A young dog receiving puppy crate training in Fitchburg / Leominster, MA from DTE.

Dog Training Elite

Puppy Crate Training in Fitchburg / Leominster, MA

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 Fitchburg / Leominster, MA 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 Fitchburg

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 Fitchburg / Leominster, MA 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 Fitchburg, 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

  • denise ramsey
    Feb. 19, 2025
    Great information in regards to our puppy training. Patrick also suggest a way to leave it, with a game using her treats.
  • Shelly Killian
    Apr. 28, 2025
    Totally happy with fabulous trainer. He was patient and explained things well and did a great job working with my German Shepherd, who has been going through a lot of adjustments since our recent move to the area.
  • N Weathers
    Apr. 10, 2025
    Very professional and on time. Made me feel alot better with my choices.
  • Billy Carroll
    Apr. 3, 2025
    Patrick is fabulous! We are first time dog owners, he is very kind, so informative and helpful and teaching all of us what we need to know to train our puppy Callie. We look forward to our training journey😊
  • Michael Levitz
    Apr. 2, 2025
    Marcus is exceptionally professional, kind, and immediately intuitive with my very loving, but often difficult, big dog.
  • Lifestyle Of Mochadelicious
    Mar. 3, 2025
    I am so happy that I got to meet with Marcus. He’s an awesome person has patience has a lot of knowledge and what’s awesome is they do a free meet and greet He was very accommodating and I can’t wait to work with him and my fur baby
  • Elyse Bartkus
    Mar. 31, 2025
    We started working with Dog Training Elite Central Mass in July 2024, and we couldn’t be happier with the progress our 14-month-old Lab, Rusty, has made! From the very beginning, their team has been incredibly knowledgeable, patient, and supportive. The combination of private sessions and group classes has been a game-changer for Rusty’s training. The private sessions have allowed us to focus on specific challenges, while the group classes provide a great opportunity for socialization and practicing commands in a more distracting environment. Every trainer we’ve worked with has been fantastic, bringing their expertise and encouragement to every session. Rusty has gained so much confidence and obedience through their program, and we’ve learned invaluable skills as owners. We highly recommend Dog Training Elite Central Mass to anyone looking for professional, effective, and positive dog training!
  • Franny Osman
    Jan. 25, 2025
    First visit with Patrick from Elite and we and Poppy learned a lot. It was very successful! Second visit --with Matt --also quite helpful. Continues to be helpful. Place. Heel. Visitors.
  • Beth Morin
    Mar. 28, 2025
    We had a great lesson today. Very productive and we learned a lot.
  • Mia Cameron
    Mar. 27, 2025
    Marcus was great. He explained everything in detail and made me feel a lot better about getting my dogs behavior and getting my German Shepherd some help. We’re on our way to a good dog life!
  • Sol Correa
    Mar. 26, 2025
    Today was the first visit with Taina he was really good with her. Thanks
  • Olivia Meegoda
    Mar. 20, 2025
    Elite Dog Training is spectacular. They are very patient and clear trainers. Dog training is more about training the handlers. They are very experienced, patient with dogs and humans, answer all of the questions (in sessions, via email and through group classes). They have a great system to text reminders and they are quick to respond if there are any issues with the location. Each trainer has also been extremely experienced and consistent.
  • Wendy Chartrand
    Feb. 12, 2025
    Awesome class tonight! Thanks Matt
  • Steven G Cronis, Esq.
    Mar. 19, 2025
    Patrick is amazing with our puppy! His wealth of knowledge and advice makes having our puppy enjoyable and safe. Highly recommend to any serious pet owner who wants training. Thank you Patrick!
  • Elizabeth Smith MacKenzie
    Mar. 18, 2025
    A very pleasant and productive lesson. Marcus does a great job.
  • Ronna Northrup
    Jan. 23, 2025
    Patrick was amazing! He answered all our questions explained everything in depth, a lot of info, but very informative. Awesome training
  • Suzanne Faken
    Mar. 14, 2025
    We really have learned a lot training our 7 month old husky puppy through Dog Training Elite. Marcus and his staff are very professional and knowledgeable when it comes to dog training. In just three months, our dog has learned so much and we have gained confidence in knowing how to interact with him. Marcus and his staff take time to personalize training to our dog's needs and answer our questions. Our puppy is almost one year old and is getting ready for his public access test. we chose Dog Elite Training because of their expert ability in being able to train service dogs and we could not be happier!
  • Jess Zorge
    Mar. 7, 2025
    Making great progress in the short amount of time we have been able to meet. Quill is deaf and getting one on one assistance is just what we need!
  • Ashley Hartenstein
    Mar. 5, 2025
    Marcus was very helpful explaining everything that the program provides. He is very knowledgeable when it comes to dogs and I couldn't have asked for a better person to come out and talk to us.
  • Wendy Fenty
    Feb. 28, 2025
    Matt was very informative and knowledgeable about dog training , he gave wonderful advice, I’m excited to begin the training, I feel hopeful that my pups will be in a great place once the training is done.
  • denise ramsey
    Feb. 19, 2025
    Great information in regards to our puppy training. Patrick also suggest a way to leave it, with a game using her treats.
  • Shelly Killian
    Apr. 28, 2025
    Totally happy with fabulous trainer. He was patient and explained things well and did a great job working with my German Shepherd, who has been going through a lot of adjustments since our recent move to the area.
  • N Weathers
    Apr. 10, 2025
    Very professional and on time. Made me feel alot better with my choices.
  • Billy Carroll
    Apr. 3, 2025
    Patrick is fabulous! We are first time dog owners, he is very kind, so informative and helpful and teaching all of us what we need to know to train our puppy Callie. We look forward to our training journey😊
  • Michael Levitz
    Apr. 2, 2025
    Marcus is exceptionally professional, kind, and immediately intuitive with my very loving, but often difficult, big dog.
  • Lifestyle Of Mochadelicious
    Mar. 3, 2025
    I am so happy that I got to meet with Marcus. He’s an awesome person has patience has a lot of knowledge and what’s awesome is they do a free meet and greet He was very accommodating and I can’t wait to work with him and my fur baby
  • Elyse Bartkus
    Mar. 31, 2025
    We started working with Dog Training Elite Central Mass in July 2024, and we couldn’t be happier with the progress our 14-month-old Lab, Rusty, has made! From the very beginning, their team has been incredibly knowledgeable, patient, and supportive. The combination of private sessions and group classes has been a game-changer for Rusty’s training. The private sessions have allowed us to focus on specific challenges, while the group classes provide a great opportunity for socialization and practicing commands in a more distracting environment. Every trainer we’ve worked with has been fantastic, bringing their expertise and encouragement to every session. Rusty has gained so much confidence and obedience through their program, and we’ve learned invaluable skills as owners. We highly recommend Dog Training Elite Central Mass to anyone looking for professional, effective, and positive dog training!
  • Franny Osman
    Jan. 25, 2025
    First visit with Patrick from Elite and we and Poppy learned a lot. It was very successful! Second visit --with Matt --also quite helpful. Continues to be helpful. Place. Heel. Visitors.
  • Beth Morin
    Mar. 28, 2025
    We had a great lesson today. Very productive and we learned a lot.
  • Mia Cameron
    Mar. 27, 2025
    Marcus was great. He explained everything in detail and made me feel a lot better about getting my dogs behavior and getting my German Shepherd some help. We’re on our way to a good dog life!
  • Sol Correa
    Mar. 26, 2025
    Today was the first visit with Taina he was really good with her. Thanks
  • Olivia Meegoda
    Mar. 20, 2025
    Elite Dog Training is spectacular. They are very patient and clear trainers. Dog training is more about training the handlers. They are very experienced, patient with dogs and humans, answer all of the questions (in sessions, via email and through group classes). They have a great system to text reminders and they are quick to respond if there are any issues with the location. Each trainer has also been extremely experienced and consistent.
  • Wendy Chartrand
    Feb. 12, 2025
    Awesome class tonight! Thanks Matt
  • Steven G Cronis, Esq.
    Mar. 19, 2025
    Patrick is amazing with our puppy! His wealth of knowledge and advice makes having our puppy enjoyable and safe. Highly recommend to any serious pet owner who wants training. Thank you Patrick!
  • Elizabeth Smith MacKenzie
    Mar. 18, 2025
    A very pleasant and productive lesson. Marcus does a great job.
  • Ronna Northrup
    Jan. 23, 2025
    Patrick was amazing! He answered all our questions explained everything in depth, a lot of info, but very informative. Awesome training
  • Suzanne Faken
    Mar. 14, 2025
    We really have learned a lot training our 7 month old husky puppy through Dog Training Elite. Marcus and his staff are very professional and knowledgeable when it comes to dog training. In just three months, our dog has learned so much and we have gained confidence in knowing how to interact with him. Marcus and his staff take time to personalize training to our dog's needs and answer our questions. Our puppy is almost one year old and is getting ready for his public access test. we chose Dog Elite Training because of their expert ability in being able to train service dogs and we could not be happier!
  • Jess Zorge
    Mar. 7, 2025
    Making great progress in the short amount of time we have been able to meet. Quill is deaf and getting one on one assistance is just what we need!
  • Ashley Hartenstein
    Mar. 5, 2025
    Marcus was very helpful explaining everything that the program provides. He is very knowledgeable when it comes to dogs and I couldn't have asked for a better person to come out and talk to us.
  • Wendy Fenty
    Feb. 28, 2025
    Matt was very informative and knowledgeable about dog training , he gave wonderful advice, I’m excited to begin the training, I feel hopeful that my pups will be in a great place once the training is done.