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Crate Training

Dog Training Elite Reno

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A young dog receiving puppy crate training in Reno, NV from DTE.

Dog Training Elite

Puppy Crate Training in Reno, NV

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 Reno, NV 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 Reno

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 Reno, NV 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 Reno, 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!

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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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Learn Why Dog owners choose Dog Training Elite

  • Kurt Latipow
    Dec. 9, 2024
    I highly recommend Chris and Dog Training Elite! His expertise, coaching, and training style are truly exceptional. Chris made the process of preparing my dog, Dita, to qualify as a Therapy Dog both educational and efficient. I couldn't have asked for a better experience. A heartfelt thank you to Chris and Leroy for their incredible support!
  • Raylene Lara
    Nov. 22, 2024
    Highly recommend DTE! Working with Chris has been a breeze. His knowledge is extensive and has surpassed every expectation we had. He has taught our pup so much with his puppy program, it’s incredibly impressive. In just 4 sessions our Annie has become more confident with strangers, is clicker trained, has stopped biting, is communicating that she needs to go outside and is on her way to being leash /lead trained. We couldn’t be happier with our experience with DTE and we look forward to the next program!
  • Joel Hammeke
    Sep. 14, 2024
    I did months of research looking for the right person to legitimately certify my dog as my service animal. We started training my pup at a couple months old and he was instantly receptive to the training Chris uses. He’s about 8 months now and on track to be completely certified by his first birthday. Chris’s knowledge and training methods are unmatched and there isn’t anyone else I would recommend.
  • Kayla Jackson
    Sep. 14, 2024
    Chris was great with our dogs and we learned so much. Walks are so much more pleasant and the doorbell does not lead to complete chaos anymore!
  • Lori Thomas
    Jul. 31, 2024
    I wanted to share my experience working with Chris, Dog Training Elite Reno, who has been a huge help to me and my 5 yo rescue pitbull mix. My dog had some serious leash reactivity towards other dogs, and from the time I adopted him 6 months ago, I had been struggling to handle it. I've owned dogs all my life but clearly I didn't have the knowledge and skills this dog needed. Chris's input has been amazing right from the start. He not only works with my dog but is also training me to be a better owner and handler. He’s super patient and explains things in a way that’s easy to understand. His tips and techniques have really helped me feel more confident and in control during our walks. Since we started working with Chris, I’ve seen a big improvement in my dog's behavior. He uses positive reinforcement, which my dog responds to really well. It’s clear Chris knows what he’s doing and genuinely cares about helping us. I’m so grateful for Chris's help. If you’re looking for a dog trainer who can make a real difference, I highly recommend Chris. He’s making a huge impact on our lives. He's definitely teaching these old-ish dogs some new tricks! Thanks, Chris!
  • Lori Boyles
    Jul. 28, 2024
    Chris Bergman is a patient and very knowledgeable trainer. I would highly recommend his service for obedience training.
  • Jason Gonzalez
    Jul. 25, 2024
    Chris with Dog Training Elite has really helped me get control of both of my bully mixes. He is very professional and his techniques have made me and my wife more confident to take my dogs out into the world.
  • Dr Cori Lentz
    Jul. 23, 2024
    Chris from DTE is a fantastic dog trainer, truly elite. We have rescued several dogs over the years and they each come with lovable personalities that flourish with proper training. Once you meet Chris, you quickly see he has all the qualities of an outstanding trainer, leader, and friend. Communication: He communicates between lessons and recaps the main points of lessons to ensure success. Understanding of dog behavior: He adeptly interprets body language of dogs and their humans, providing insight into why dogs behave the way they do. Love of dogs: He is obviously passionate about what he does, really understands the nuances of different breeds, and loves seeing dogs excel. Patience: Dogs (and more often probably, their humans) can be challenging, but Chris is patient, reliable, and consistent. Unique: Chris is able to go beyond typical training, he even helped us teach our new rescue puppy to place on a wobble board so she would be ready to learn SUP! Super fun! Compassion: Chris considers the dog's needs first and avoids pushing them too hard. Confidence: Chris is a strong leader and it shows because the dogs often want to follow him even after lessons! We highly recommend Chris and DTE for dog (and human) training. :-)
  • Cori Ann Lentz
    Jul. 23, 2024
    Chris from DTE is a fantastic dog trainer, truly elite. We have rescued several dogs over the years and they each come with lovable personalities that flourish with proper training. Once you meet Chris, you quickly see he has all the qualities of an outstanding trainer, leader, and friend. Communication: He communicates between lessons and recaps the main points of lessons to ensure success. Understanding of dog behavior: He adeptly interprets body language of dogs and their humans, providing insight into why dogs behave the way they do. Love of dogs: He is obviously passionate about what he does, really understands the nuances of different breeds, and loves seeing dogs excel. Patience: Dogs (and more often probably, their humans) can be challenging, but Chris is patient, reliable, and consistent. Compassion: Chris considers the dog's needs first and avoids pushing them too hard. Confidence: Chris is a strong leader and it shows because the dogs often want to follow him even after lessons! We highly recommend Chris and DTE for dog (and human) training. :-)
  • caitlin howard
    Jul. 22, 2024
    Dog Training Elite Reno is the best. I love working with Chris. He has helped me and my pup so much and I learn something new or certain things to do to make training even better with my dog. I would highly recommend DTE and will continue to.
  • Jayne Homann
    Jul. 20, 2024
    Chris has done a fantastic job working with us and our rescue dog on basic obedience and problems we are having with a dog who was not socialized as a puppy. Excellent experience. Very hands on, patient and knowledgeable. Not rushed. Takes his time to explain everything and answer any questions we may have or address any problems that have occurred since his last visit. Would highly recommend him!
  • Mira Seekins
    Jul. 20, 2024
    Chris is an excellent trainer! I started training my 2-year-old German Shepherd a few months ago with the ultimate goals of getting off-leash/strengthening our bond, and she is making tremendous progress thanks to Chris and DTE. She started out very reactive and obeying commands only when she wanted to. Now, she's been able to stay calm and attentive towards me with other dogs around and obeys commands MUCH more consistently (plus has learned lots of fun, useful new commands!-see attached photo for 'place'). I also love how accessible DTE makes training, providing me with all the equipment I need as well as Chris being available anytime between sessions to discuss questions/concerns. I am excited to continue our journey and cannot recommend them enough!
  • Linda Little
    Jun. 15, 2024
    Doing a great job training me & my dog. I now have a well mannered enjoyable pet. Chris is a patient & confident trainer. I enjoy working with him.
  • Andrea Coldwell
    Jun. 7, 2024
    We have had three sessions with Chris and the improvement in our dog’s behavior is outstanding. Both her fear of people and her aggression towards anyone outside of our household has diminished significantly. We still have work to do with her but the change in her after just three sessions is remarkable and we are looking forward to continued improvement as we move forward.
  • Erica Cardona
    Apr. 20, 2024
    Thank you Chris (Dog Training Elite Reno) for the above and beyond work with Leo (the Hippo Face). Although I had some experience with pitts in the past, this guy was especially reactive due to his traumatic past. (rescue). Chris worked so well with him, he really connected with Leo and helped me be a responsible pet owner.
  • Teri Littler-Frazier
    Apr. 10, 2024
    Chris is a miracle worker at the very least. He is also an amazing dog trainer. I will be the first to admit that I was very skeptical about anyone's ability to teach my Aunt's Cairn Terrier anything. His nickname was Devil Dog, and well deserved. She was unable to walk him without dislocating her shoulder, he frightened anyone who dared come near + drove the neighbors crazy with his barking. If I hadn't been present to observe the transformation first hand, I would honestly think she had gotten a new dog. I would highly recommend Chris to everyone.