Back to Puppy Training
Crate Training

Puppy Crate Training in Indianapolis, IN

Request Free Assessment

Request Free Assessment

A young dog receiving puppy crate training in Indianapolis, IN from DTE.

Dog Training Elite

Puppy Crate Training in Indianapolis, IN

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 Indianapolis, IN 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.

See Training Packages

Dog Training Elite of Indianapolis

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 Indianapolis, IN with DTE.

Why Should You Use Crate Training?

Read More
Read Less

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.

Additional Obedience Training Info

Dog Training Elite of Indianapolis - Classical Conditioning Dog Training in Indianapolis, IN

Classical Conditioning Training

Dog Training Elite of Indianapolis - Positive Reinforcement Dog Training in Indianapolis, IN

Positive Reinforcement Training

Dog Training Elite of Indianapolis - Puppy Obedience Training in Indianapolis, IN. DTE

Puppy Obedience Training

Dog Training Elite of Indianapolis - Off Leash Dog Training in Indianapolis, IN. DTE

Off Leash Training

Dog Training Elite of Indianapolis - Dog Agility Training in Indianapolis, IN. DTE

Agility Through Basic Obedience Training

Two well-behaved puppies after training in their crates.

Start Crate Training Today


Read More
Read Less

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 of Indianapolis, 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!

Photo Gallery

See An Elite Dog in Action

Hear From Our Customers

Learn Why Dog owners choose Dog Training Elite

  • Jean Fox
    Apr. 9, 2025
    We can’t thank Doug, Josh and all the trainers at DTE enough for the incredible work they do with our new family member, Remy. She struggles with reactive and aggressive behaviors, but their calm, patient approach and deep understanding of dog behavior has made all the difference. They gave us practical, easy to follow training techniques that have helped her make incredible progress. Especially grateful for the coaching and encouragement we receive as her handlers. We couldn’t be happier with the team’s expertise, kindness and dedication - it was made all the difference. Highly recommended the DTE Team!
  • Elizabeth Todd
    Apr. 14, 2025
    Our Bernedoodle was much more to handle than the yellow labs we had in the past. Dog Training Elite was a godsend. Very professional. They gave us all the tools to work with our dog. Elijah, our trainer, did a great job demonstrating and explaining. Very knowledgeable. Our in-home puppy and then obedience classes followed a strong logical progression that was easy to follow and practice. It was well worth the cost. I’m looking forward to attending some group classes. Just finished a doggy daycare training day to polish up on some of the basic skills. Have a bad knee and Normie was just enough out ahead of me on walks that it was causing strain on my knee I showed the instructors where i wanted him to heal and when i picked him up for the day and took him for a walk it was amazed at the improvement he showed. It was a pain free walk
  • Terri Gomez
    Aug. 17, 2025
    We have been very impressed with the training that our Stella has received. We get a good recap at the end of each session and as much time as we need to ask questions. Anika has been great to work with. She seems to really enjoy her work and making sure Stella succeeds. We look forward to more sessions with Anika and the rest of the staff at Dog Training Elite.
  • Julie Anne
    Aug. 16, 2025
    Greatly appreciate the information and patience Elijah provides.
  • Ruth Robertson
    Aug. 16, 2025
    Josh changed our lives. Not only he helped with my two reactive dogs, but helped me as well. Fantastic experience!
  • Cat Rash
    Aug. 16, 2025
    Wonderful place! Elijah is very patient and helpful. The courses are highly informative and seeing my dog grow and learn is amazing. Highly recommend.
  • Paula Koester
    Aug. 1, 2025
    They do a great job with the dogs and training us owners in addition to the dogs. Josh is extremely helpful trainor
  • Trevor Hill
    Aug. 8, 2025
    Dog Training Elite is worth every penny! We have 2 dogs, a 1 year old and 3 year old. Both were having issues with reactivity to people and other dogs, as well as struggling with basic obedience during walks. My fiancé and I were always stressed about how they might react on walks, and we honestly felt hopeless that it would get better. Thankfully we decided to go with Dog Training Elite and it feels like it’s gotten 100x better! What ultimately made us settle on DTE were the reviews. There were so many amazing success stories, and now we’re very happy to be one of them. So if you need a push, this is your sign!! We decided to go with the 2 week boot camp, because we wanted quick results but we also didn’t want to miss our pups for 2 weeks at an overnight camp. DTE’s the perfect solution of an intensive training period, while also not missing your best friend. My fiancé and I were always so excited and proud when we got videos of our dogs during each day of camp. It was amazing how quickly we noticed results during and after the 2 weeks! It was comforting to see how our dogs grew to love the trainers, and were excited arriving each day. Even our older boy, who used to have very bad anxiety with new people warmed up to them which was a big concern for us initially. Although, the training has given him (and us) much more confidence, and the way he responds to his anxiety has improved so much when meeting people. The staff at DTE are wonderful and truly care about your dog, we are so grateful to Sonya, Elijah, Josh, Doug, and everyone else on the team! It’s now been 2 months since they’ve graduated, and our dogs are still getting better with time as we continue to reinforce what was learned in boot camp. Today we did our first follow-up session with Josh. Our dogs were so excited to see him, and remembered him instantly. The follow-up at home sessions are very helpful to make sure that the training transitions to everyday life effectively - or if it’s been a while and you and your dog could use a refresher. We highly recommend DTE!! If you think you have an untrainable dog, you have no idea what these pros are capable of! p.s. The graduation photos are the cherry on top! 10⭐️
  • Jill Pugh
    Aug. 8, 2025
    Just finished training sessions with Elijah, and he was fabulous! Patient, knowledgeable, and truly understands a dog’s needs/behavior. Eli's style is calm, kind and confident, and he's soo likeable. Highly recommend Elijah, Doug and DTE to anyone wanting the best!
  • Patricia SICA
    Jul. 15, 2025
    Super job of explaining showing then directing me in doing. Donato now knows name-walked in cage. Prior he did not want to walk in room with cage. One lesson with Elijah!!! Now we are on the third lesson-every lesson is re-enforced. Elijah is the best....
  • Jeffrey Schillinger
    Aug. 6, 2025
    Doug came by our home for an initial visit. He was very professional and explained the available sevices in a low pressure way. We start training in two weeks! Also, our dog really liked Doug.
  • Alisa Grady
    Jul. 1, 2025
    Doug did a wonderful job with my in-home consultation! Elijah, Josh, Sonia, & Anika are all wonderful trainers. They did a great job with my pup, Molly, and do a superb job explaining everything to me as well. Josh completed my first post-class in-home session and that was a great experience as well. We have already gone to multiple weekend classes and will continue to do so. I will be signing up another pup in the near future!
  • Scot Allen
    Jul. 28, 2025
    Josh at DTE Indy is great. Working to build some strong basics with our rescue that shares a house with a young child.
  • James Witte
    May. 6, 2025
    I could not be happier with the whole team at Dog Training Elite
  • Jordyn Strong
    May. 23, 2025
    Josh has been absolutely incredible with our Duke. We started working with Josh when Duke was just under 3 months old and was mouthing us like crazy. Josh came in and gave us the skills necessary to manage and limit the mouthing as well as teaching us various key skills. He explained each skill in detail, providing demonstrations, and having us demonstrate as well. He always took the time to answer our questions, even beyond basic obedience skills and was extremely responsive via messaging as needed. Josh made us feel more confident and comfortable to take Duke into public spaces. We are incredibly grateful for all Josh has taught us and can’t wait to watch Duke thrive!
  • Grace B
    Jul. 18, 2025
    I am SO impressed with ALL the staff at Dog Training Elite! My bassett hound has been in their obedience camp for one week and already its a drastic difference. Im so excited to see how much better he gets. It's definitely worth every penny!
  • Lisa Berfiend
    Jul. 17, 2025
    We are having a wonderful experience. Doug and his trainers are all outstanding. Our puppy is doing great and has learned so much. The weekly group classes are very helpful to us as well. This group and their program is top notch!!
  • Josie Axness Hunckler
    Jul. 12, 2025
    I had a very helpful experience to have a pro trainer come out and evaluate my dog Jake and me, to know if we’re a good fit for training and service dog training soon too. All of my questions were answered promptly and thoroughly. My dog Jake, my partner Yuniel, and I felt respected and well cared for as we embark (no pun intended) on this journey of professional training! Doug clearly cares for his clients, the dogs, and their success, providing honest and detailed answers to all my questions along the way. We are feeling confident with a clear understanding of how training will be going forward. This is an investment which I can tell will be worthwhile.
  • Larry Bowmer
    Jul. 11, 2025
    Doug came to our home to evaluate our dog, We rescued her in march and have been having some issues with her having accidents in the house, after her evaluation he gave us some great ideas to help her, he offered some in home training as well as a doggie day camp, we will be using his services in the very near future. If your looking for a professional dog training service, these guys are it
  • Julie Clark
    Jun. 22, 2025
    Elijah did a great job introducing our golden retriever to the training program. He was patient and answered all questions.