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Crate Training

Dog Training Elite Los Angeles

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A young dog receiving puppy crate training in Los Angeles, CA from DTE.

Dog Training Elite

Puppy Crate Training in Los Angeles, CA

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 Los Angeles, CA 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 Los Angeles

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 Los Angeles, CA 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 Los Angeles, 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

  • Drew Dominick
    May. 5, 2025
    Kyla is outstanding, it was a pleasure to work with her. She taught me and my dog so much in such a short period of time. She literally was able to, after two minutes, train my dog to walk by a group of squirrels 12 inches away without any distraction. That is one of many valuable lessons Kyla taught us. She is extremely professional, prompt, and a natural at what she does. I highly recommend Kyla and Elite Dog Training.
  • Charlie Fink
    Apr. 24, 2025
    Our dog is a very willful herding dog, but thanks to our trainer Kayla, we are learning how to control him. As a result of firm direction he is steadily becoming a calmer and more obedient dog. Four stars. 100% recommend. I don’t often say that about expensive services, but it was worth every penny. We were at the end of our rope with this dog and they saved us!
  • Nicole Beck
    Apr. 23, 2025
    Kyla was terrific! My Bernedoodle would immediately calm down the minute Kyla walked into the house. I loved working with her. I also learned a lot! Highly recommend her.
  • Gloria Mattioni
    Apr. 16, 2025
    I highly recommend Dog Training Elite. My experience convinced me it's worth every penny. All trainers are professional, available to answer any question and guide you through each step of your dog's training. I was blessed to find the perfect match for my still unruly 2-year young rescue Lab mix in Clayton. He’s been very patient and inspiring for both of us, conquering Paco’s trust since the first meeting, encouraging him to experiment new things and overcome his fears. Clayton seemed to truly understand my dog’s personality and tailored his training on specific tasks and obedience goals.Paco blossomed under his guidance, leaving behind any reactive behavior and becoming responsive to commands even in stressful situations. I also learned to overcome my fear of hurting Paco using the e-collar after Clayton showed me how to use it safely. I’ll keep taking Paco to the group lessons now that he completed his training. He’ll enjoy seeing Clayton again and practice together with Whopple and his other dog-buddies.
  • Anne Graas
    Apr. 15, 2025
    After five sessions with Clayton, my dog doesn’t lunge on the leash anymore. He is learning to calm down around other dogs, and ignore distractions. The best part is that I am learning how to communicate to him the behavior that I want. This has been the most effective dog training I’ve experienced, and I’ve had dogs all my life.
  • Annemarie Perez
    Apr. 7, 2025
    This review is too long coming! My pup Sutti (an 18 month old whoodle (wheaten terrier poodle crossbreed) and I have been working with Clayton from Dog Training Elite for the past five months. In that time she's learned so much. In addition to walking without pulling, sit, lie down, place and other basic commands, she's well on her way to being a psychiatric service dog for my PTSD. She's currently learning how to alert and ground via (DPT - deep pressure therapy) for panic attacks and received her preliminary service dog certification. They've also been flexible about scheduling, something I've appreciated a great deal as my job requires travel and odd hours. My husband and I recommend Dog Training Elite and, especially, Clayton highly.
  • linda rosen
    Apr. 4, 2025
    Clayton is very intuitive and patient with our high energy golden retriever puppy. I have learned a lot about setting boundaries and using commands effectively.
  • Rachel M
    Mar. 20, 2025
    Clayton educated us throughout the whole sessions, was amazing with our dog, overall amazing trainer! He
  • Nutri Steph
    Feb. 21, 2025
    We couldn’t be happier with Dog Elite Training Los Angeles! Our Yorkie Terrier is currently in training to become a service dog, and the experience has been amazing from day one. The trainer Clayton is incredibly knowledgeable, patient, and truly care about the dogs he work with. I was a little unsure at first since Yorkies are small with a big attitude, but Clayton never doubted her potential. They created a training plan tailored to her needs, and we’ve already seen such a huge improvement in her focus, obedience, and ability to perform tasks. It’s been incredible to watch her grow and gain confidence. What I love most is how supportive and hands-on Clayton is. He make sure we understand each step of the process so we can continue the training at home. It’s clear he is passionate about what he do, and it really shows in the results. If you’re looking for expert service dog training in LA, I highly recommend Dog Elite Training. They’ve made such a difference for us, and I’m so excited to see how far our little Yorkie goes!
  • Jorge Sanchez
    Feb. 26, 2025
    Mr. Clayton, from Dog Training Elite, is a class act trainer and person. Im very thankful that my dog TANK, and I are paired up with Mr. Clayton. He is very informative and patient. He gives u step by step instructions(verbal and visual) that are very helpful. 1 to 10 Mr. Clayton = 10 Dog Training Elite Los Angeles =10
  • Christine Krohn
    Feb. 21, 2025
    Clayton is professional, polite and is every knowledgeable. His training techniques are easy to follow.
  • Francisco Ramos
    Feb. 19, 2025
    I cannot recommend Clayton highly enough as a service dog trainer! From day one, his expertise, patience, and dedication were evident. He took the time to understand my specific needs and tailored the training to ensure my dog developed the skills necessary to support me in daily life. At first, I wasn’t sure if my dog could successfully complete the training but I gain confidence after finding that Clayton was the best trainer in my area. Now, my dog has become an incredible partner, providing me with support I never thought possible. If you’re looking for a trainer who is skilled, kind, and truly invested in your success, Clayton is the one to go to. I’m beyond grateful for his guidance and would recommend him to anyone in need of service dog training!
  • Rachael Chan
    Feb. 18, 2025
    Dog Training Elite has been awesome! I had been thinking about getting my 3 year old mini goldendoodle some training for a while now and wish I had started sooner. We have been working with Clayton who has been very knowledgeable and the progress my pup has made after just 4 sessions with him has been incredible! My pup used to always pull on his leash and get overly excited and out of control when interacting with other dogs on walks and that has now completely changed. I look forward to even more progress as we work with Clayton to get my pup trained as a service animal. Definitely recommend Dog Training Elite and Clayton.
  • Franklin Montiel
    Feb. 17, 2025
    Thank you coach Clayton, Sage is still a fun pup but listens, plays, and follows commands like a Champ! Your calm and expert advise has really helped us be better parents to our beautiful 😍 Sage!!💝💝
  • Kimberly Lambert Gibson
    Feb. 12, 2025
    Dog Training Elite has been an incredible experience. Greg met with us to decide which dog would be trainable out of the liter which was very helpful. We were looking for a trainer who could help us train our puppy all the way thru to a service animal. Clayton, our trainer has been amazing working my son and our puppy. He is very respectful and knowledgeable. The puppy is responding beyond our expectations to the training. We are very grateful and highly recommend this company and especially Clayton as a trainer. Thank you!!!
  • georgialawrence1
    Feb. 6, 2025
    I cannot recommend Clayton, Elite Dog Training, highly enough for anyone struggling with a reactive GSD, When I first reached out, I was feeling overwhelmed and frustrated with my dog's reactivity towards other dogs. Clayton not only understood my concerns but also provided a clear, structured plan to help us both. From our very first meeting, Clayton took the time to assess my dog's behavior thoroughly. He listened to my experiences and helped identify specific triggers for my dog's reactivity. This initial assessment set the stage for a tailored training program that felt achievable Clayton gradually introduced my dog to controlled environments, allowing him to encounter triggers at a comfortable distance and the tools/instructions to counter these triggers The progress we made was remarkable! Within a few weeks, Luger showed significant improvement. Clayton provided practical strategies that I could use which empowered me as an owner. If you're facing similar challenges, I wholeheartedly recommend Clayton and Elite Dog Training. Their expertise and patience can truly transform your relationship with your dog. Thank you, Clayton, for your incredible work!
  • Kat McGinty
    Feb. 6, 2025
    I cannot recommend Dog Training Elite enough! Clayton has been incredible in helping me to train my terrier/pit bull mix. He's patient and clearly loves dogs. My dog was instantly comfortable with him. I'm already planning on adding more sessions because Clayton has helped me see just how much my dog is capable of!
  • Shelby Dash (Shelby & Kristina)
    Feb. 5, 2025
    We had such a wonderful experience with our trainer. He was knowledgeable, patient, and professional. I would highly recommend!
  • Julia Steinweg
    Feb. 4, 2025
    My experience with Clayton was fantastic. He understands the nature of dogs really well and is therefore able to adapt his training style to the specific personality of your dog to achieve immediate improvements of critical dog behavior with great results. I can only recommend Clayton as an experienced dog trainer who delivers great results in a short period of time.
  • Christina Hutchinson
    Jan. 18, 2025
    I honestly cannot say enough good things about Dogs Elite training! I rescued a ~5 year old male German Shepherd 5 months ago who was a lot to handle. He was a sweet enough boy and playful with my other GSD, but terrible to walk and dog reactive. I spent thousands with another trainer to be disappointed and only witness mild improvement; I felt like this poor dog was too much for me. So I interviewed a few other trainers and decided on Dogs Elite. What sold me on them is the final goal of walking him on a “J leash” (meaning a relaxed leash). Sure that sounds great and like I’m in control, but the real meaning behind it is transferring leadership from the dog to you. Rescues have had to be hyper-vigilant to survive, so that’s a lot of “on” energy. Once YOU are trained how to lead your dog, they can relax and be a dog who enjoys a comfy life going on walks and meeting other dogs at the dog park. Today was my 6th session with Clayton and I never thought my Jack would succeed in a dog park without incident, I couldn’t be more wrong. Look at this face after class: he’s happy, learning was a joy and not something negative, and he’s relaxed. He’s a different dog and I’m so happy to see these behavioral changes in him. It never would’ve happened with training that didn’t tap in to the psychology of his mind. I’m so grateful to what Clayton has done for us!!
  • Drew Dominick
    May. 5, 2025
    Kyla is outstanding, it was a pleasure to work with her. She taught me and my dog so much in such a short period of time. She literally was able to, after two minutes, train my dog to walk by a group of squirrels 12 inches away without any distraction. That is one of many valuable lessons Kyla taught us. She is extremely professional, prompt, and a natural at what she does. I highly recommend Kyla and Elite Dog Training.
  • Charlie Fink
    Apr. 24, 2025
    Our dog is a very willful herding dog, but thanks to our trainer Kayla, we are learning how to control him. As a result of firm direction he is steadily becoming a calmer and more obedient dog. Four stars. 100% recommend. I don’t often say that about expensive services, but it was worth every penny. We were at the end of our rope with this dog and they saved us!
  • Nicole Beck
    Apr. 23, 2025
    Kyla was terrific! My Bernedoodle would immediately calm down the minute Kyla walked into the house. I loved working with her. I also learned a lot! Highly recommend her.
  • Gloria Mattioni
    Apr. 16, 2025
    I highly recommend Dog Training Elite. My experience convinced me it's worth every penny. All trainers are professional, available to answer any question and guide you through each step of your dog's training. I was blessed to find the perfect match for my still unruly 2-year young rescue Lab mix in Clayton. He’s been very patient and inspiring for both of us, conquering Paco’s trust since the first meeting, encouraging him to experiment new things and overcome his fears. Clayton seemed to truly understand my dog’s personality and tailored his training on specific tasks and obedience goals.Paco blossomed under his guidance, leaving behind any reactive behavior and becoming responsive to commands even in stressful situations. I also learned to overcome my fear of hurting Paco using the e-collar after Clayton showed me how to use it safely. I’ll keep taking Paco to the group lessons now that he completed his training. He’ll enjoy seeing Clayton again and practice together with Whopple and his other dog-buddies.
  • Anne Graas
    Apr. 15, 2025
    After five sessions with Clayton, my dog doesn’t lunge on the leash anymore. He is learning to calm down around other dogs, and ignore distractions. The best part is that I am learning how to communicate to him the behavior that I want. This has been the most effective dog training I’ve experienced, and I’ve had dogs all my life.
  • Annemarie Perez
    Apr. 7, 2025
    This review is too long coming! My pup Sutti (an 18 month old whoodle (wheaten terrier poodle crossbreed) and I have been working with Clayton from Dog Training Elite for the past five months. In that time she's learned so much. In addition to walking without pulling, sit, lie down, place and other basic commands, she's well on her way to being a psychiatric service dog for my PTSD. She's currently learning how to alert and ground via (DPT - deep pressure therapy) for panic attacks and received her preliminary service dog certification. They've also been flexible about scheduling, something I've appreciated a great deal as my job requires travel and odd hours. My husband and I recommend Dog Training Elite and, especially, Clayton highly.
  • linda rosen
    Apr. 4, 2025
    Clayton is very intuitive and patient with our high energy golden retriever puppy. I have learned a lot about setting boundaries and using commands effectively.
  • Rachel M
    Mar. 20, 2025
    Clayton educated us throughout the whole sessions, was amazing with our dog, overall amazing trainer! He
  • Nutri Steph
    Feb. 21, 2025
    We couldn’t be happier with Dog Elite Training Los Angeles! Our Yorkie Terrier is currently in training to become a service dog, and the experience has been amazing from day one. The trainer Clayton is incredibly knowledgeable, patient, and truly care about the dogs he work with. I was a little unsure at first since Yorkies are small with a big attitude, but Clayton never doubted her potential. They created a training plan tailored to her needs, and we’ve already seen such a huge improvement in her focus, obedience, and ability to perform tasks. It’s been incredible to watch her grow and gain confidence. What I love most is how supportive and hands-on Clayton is. He make sure we understand each step of the process so we can continue the training at home. It’s clear he is passionate about what he do, and it really shows in the results. If you’re looking for expert service dog training in LA, I highly recommend Dog Elite Training. They’ve made such a difference for us, and I’m so excited to see how far our little Yorkie goes!
  • Jorge Sanchez
    Feb. 26, 2025
    Mr. Clayton, from Dog Training Elite, is a class act trainer and person. Im very thankful that my dog TANK, and I are paired up with Mr. Clayton. He is very informative and patient. He gives u step by step instructions(verbal and visual) that are very helpful. 1 to 10 Mr. Clayton = 10 Dog Training Elite Los Angeles =10
  • Christine Krohn
    Feb. 21, 2025
    Clayton is professional, polite and is every knowledgeable. His training techniques are easy to follow.
  • Francisco Ramos
    Feb. 19, 2025
    I cannot recommend Clayton highly enough as a service dog trainer! From day one, his expertise, patience, and dedication were evident. He took the time to understand my specific needs and tailored the training to ensure my dog developed the skills necessary to support me in daily life. At first, I wasn’t sure if my dog could successfully complete the training but I gain confidence after finding that Clayton was the best trainer in my area. Now, my dog has become an incredible partner, providing me with support I never thought possible. If you’re looking for a trainer who is skilled, kind, and truly invested in your success, Clayton is the one to go to. I’m beyond grateful for his guidance and would recommend him to anyone in need of service dog training!
  • Rachael Chan
    Feb. 18, 2025
    Dog Training Elite has been awesome! I had been thinking about getting my 3 year old mini goldendoodle some training for a while now and wish I had started sooner. We have been working with Clayton who has been very knowledgeable and the progress my pup has made after just 4 sessions with him has been incredible! My pup used to always pull on his leash and get overly excited and out of control when interacting with other dogs on walks and that has now completely changed. I look forward to even more progress as we work with Clayton to get my pup trained as a service animal. Definitely recommend Dog Training Elite and Clayton.
  • Franklin Montiel
    Feb. 17, 2025
    Thank you coach Clayton, Sage is still a fun pup but listens, plays, and follows commands like a Champ! Your calm and expert advise has really helped us be better parents to our beautiful 😍 Sage!!💝💝
  • Kimberly Lambert Gibson
    Feb. 12, 2025
    Dog Training Elite has been an incredible experience. Greg met with us to decide which dog would be trainable out of the liter which was very helpful. We were looking for a trainer who could help us train our puppy all the way thru to a service animal. Clayton, our trainer has been amazing working my son and our puppy. He is very respectful and knowledgeable. The puppy is responding beyond our expectations to the training. We are very grateful and highly recommend this company and especially Clayton as a trainer. Thank you!!!
  • georgialawrence1
    Feb. 6, 2025
    I cannot recommend Clayton, Elite Dog Training, highly enough for anyone struggling with a reactive GSD, When I first reached out, I was feeling overwhelmed and frustrated with my dog's reactivity towards other dogs. Clayton not only understood my concerns but also provided a clear, structured plan to help us both. From our very first meeting, Clayton took the time to assess my dog's behavior thoroughly. He listened to my experiences and helped identify specific triggers for my dog's reactivity. This initial assessment set the stage for a tailored training program that felt achievable Clayton gradually introduced my dog to controlled environments, allowing him to encounter triggers at a comfortable distance and the tools/instructions to counter these triggers The progress we made was remarkable! Within a few weeks, Luger showed significant improvement. Clayton provided practical strategies that I could use which empowered me as an owner. If you're facing similar challenges, I wholeheartedly recommend Clayton and Elite Dog Training. Their expertise and patience can truly transform your relationship with your dog. Thank you, Clayton, for your incredible work!
  • Kat McGinty
    Feb. 6, 2025
    I cannot recommend Dog Training Elite enough! Clayton has been incredible in helping me to train my terrier/pit bull mix. He's patient and clearly loves dogs. My dog was instantly comfortable with him. I'm already planning on adding more sessions because Clayton has helped me see just how much my dog is capable of!
  • Shelby Dash (Shelby & Kristina)
    Feb. 5, 2025
    We had such a wonderful experience with our trainer. He was knowledgeable, patient, and professional. I would highly recommend!
  • Julia Steinweg
    Feb. 4, 2025
    My experience with Clayton was fantastic. He understands the nature of dogs really well and is therefore able to adapt his training style to the specific personality of your dog to achieve immediate improvements of critical dog behavior with great results. I can only recommend Clayton as an experienced dog trainer who delivers great results in a short period of time.
  • Christina Hutchinson
    Jan. 18, 2025
    I honestly cannot say enough good things about Dogs Elite training! I rescued a ~5 year old male German Shepherd 5 months ago who was a lot to handle. He was a sweet enough boy and playful with my other GSD, but terrible to walk and dog reactive. I spent thousands with another trainer to be disappointed and only witness mild improvement; I felt like this poor dog was too much for me. So I interviewed a few other trainers and decided on Dogs Elite. What sold me on them is the final goal of walking him on a “J leash” (meaning a relaxed leash). Sure that sounds great and like I’m in control, but the real meaning behind it is transferring leadership from the dog to you. Rescues have had to be hyper-vigilant to survive, so that’s a lot of “on” energy. Once YOU are trained how to lead your dog, they can relax and be a dog who enjoys a comfy life going on walks and meeting other dogs at the dog park. Today was my 6th session with Clayton and I never thought my Jack would succeed in a dog park without incident, I couldn’t be more wrong. Look at this face after class: he’s happy, learning was a joy and not something negative, and he’s relaxed. He’s a different dog and I’m so happy to see these behavioral changes in him. It never would’ve happened with training that didn’t tap in to the psychology of his mind. I’m so grateful to what Clayton has done for us!!