First FIve – Crate Training
Introduction: Not a Cage, But a Cave
To the human eye, a crate may look like a box with bars—an enclosure meant to contain. But to a dog, especially a giant breed, a properly introduced crate can become something far more meaningful: a sanctuary. Crate training isn’t about restriction—it’s about creating a space that echoes a primal memory embedded deep in a dog’s instincts. Long before domestication, wolves and wild canines sought out dens for warmth, protection, and peace. Your dog still carries that same need for a familiar, quiet space—a place that belongs to them.
This article explores crate training through the eyes of your dog, drawing from their ancient roots and applying them to modern life inside your home. We’ll look at how to turn a crate into a trusted den, one that supports emotional stability and reinforces the foundation of the Social Code—Setting One: A Safe Place. Whether you’re working with a puppy or an adult giant breed dog, the goal is the same: to help them feel secure, not secluded. This is the start of a healthier, calmer relationship built on respect, consistency, and comfort.
The Social Code, Setting One: A Safe Place
Dogs don’t just live in our homes—they share them. They may not pay the bills or open the fridge, but they feel every shift in energy, every raised voice, every change in routine. For a giant breed dog, whose very size can make them seem imposing or overwhelming, the need for a consistent emotional anchor is even greater. And that anchor begins with a safe place—a retreat that belongs to them alone.
That’s where the crate comes in—not as a punishment, not as storage, but as a bedroom with a door. It is the one place in your home that should belong wholly and unquestionably to your dog. When introduced properly, the crate becomes a trusted den—familiar, reliable, and calm. It is the backdrop to naps, stormy nights, and the overwhelming chaos of visitors. It’s not a place your dog is sent to when they’re “bad”—it’s the place they choose to go when they want to feel good again.
Used correctly, crate training teaches trust. It shows your dog that they can rely on you to protect their space and respect their need for peace. It becomes a language of calm between you. But when used poorly—locked for hours, used as a form of isolation or punishment—that same crate can break something important. It can become a symbol of confusion, fear, and betrayal.
This crate doesn’t just hold your dog—it holds their trust.
If Setting One of the Social Code is about establishing a safe place, then crate training is one of the first and most meaningful ways you can put that value into practice. The goal isn’t confinement—it’s comfort. And in offering that comfort, you build something lasting: a bond your dog can count on, no matter how chaotic the world gets outside their little cave.
Method K9 – Crate training is so important.
What the Crate Really Means: Honoring the Den Instinct
To us, it might look like a box with a door. To your dog, it can be everything—a shelter from noise, a predictable corner of a chaotic world, a place to breathe. This instinct runs deep, rooted in thousands of years of evolution. Long before they were snoring on our couches, dogs were denning animals. Wolves, coyotes, and wild canines sought enclosed, protected spaces for rest, safety, and raising young. The den wasn’t just a place—it was peace.
That instinct didn’t disappear just because your dog was born in a house. Especially for giant breeds—whose size can sometimes be a source of stress or misunderstanding—having a defined, secure space is more than a preference. It’s a need. These big dogs often feel things intensely, and in a home filled with movement, guests, children, and noise, they deserve a quiet outpost where nothing is expected of them. Just stillness.
When you choose to crate train, you’re not caging your dog—you’re giving them a den of their own. And that means choosing the right crate is a serious decision.
Choosing the Right Crate: Size, Style, and Placement Matter
You wouldn’t expect a Great Dane to feel safe in a crate meant for a Beagle. Yet so many owners make the mistake of under-sizing crates or picking one based on looks rather than purpose. A good crate for a giant breed should allow your dog to stand up fully, turn around, and lie down comfortably stretched out. But it shouldn’t be so large that it loses the cozy, enclosed feeling of a den. For puppies who will grow quickly, adjustable divider panels can help the crate grow with them.
Consider crate types, too. Wire crates allow airflow and visibility—great for social dogs or warmer homes. Plastic travel crates offer more of that cave-like enclosure and are often better for dogs who find comfort in darkness. Soft-sided crates are portable but not ideal for chewers or escape artists.
And where you place the crate matters just as much. Keep it in a low-traffic area where your dog can relax without constant interruption but still feel connected to the family. Think of it as building them a quiet bedroom—not isolating them in a closet.
Tools to Make Crate Training Smoother
There are products that can turn crate training from a chore into a comforting ritual. Here are a few that reinforce the den feeling and promote calm:
- Crate Covers: These mimic the enclosed walls of a natural den, reducing visual stress and helping the dog settle.
- Orthopedic Crate Pads or Beds: Especially important for giant breeds, these provide joint support and increase crate comfort.
- White Noise Machines or Calming Music: Help drown out external noise and create a restful soundscape.
- Pheromone Sprays (like Adaptil): Mimic natural calming scents and can help reduce anxiety during the early crate training stages.
- Chew-safe Toys or Puzzle Feeders: Give your dog something rewarding to do inside the crate without overstimulating them.
Crate training isn’t about locking your dog up—it’s about opening up a space where they feel safe, respected, and in control of their comfort. And when done right, the crate becomes more than a tool. It becomes a gift.
Building the Den: Size, Comfort, and Cleanliness for Giant Breeds
Crate training is about trust—but comfort and care are how that trust is maintained. It’s one thing to introduce the crate well. It’s another to keep it a place your dog chooses to return to. That means paying attention to the physical details: the right size, the right bedding, the right smell, and the right upkeep.
1. Sizing a Crate for a Giant Breed: Room to Rest, Not Roam
Giant breeds—Great Danes, Mastiffs, Newfoundlands, Saint Bernards, and the like—aren’t just big dogs. They’re heavy, long-limbed, and prone to orthopedic issues. A proper crate isn’t just about containment. It’s about space to stand, lie down, and fully stretch out on their side. The general rule of thumb is:
- Height: Your dog should be able to stand up without ducking their head.
- Length: Your dog should be able to lie down flat and stretch out fully.
- Width: There should be room for a full turn-around without tight corners.
Common dimensions for giant breed crates:
- 54″ L x 37″ W x 45″ H
- Some brands label these as “XXL” or “54-inch Heavy Duty Crates.”
Look for crates with double doors and heavy-gauge steel if you have a strong or escape-savvy dog. Plastic travel crates are often too cramped and too hot for indoor use with these breeds.
2. Crate Mattresses and Bedding: Orthopedic Comfort, Washable Materials
A good crate isn’t just big. It’s soft, supportive, and clean.
Best mattress options for giant breeds:
- Orthopedic foam: Supports large joints and reduces pressure sores.
- Gel memory foam: Helps regulate temperature for heavy-coated dogs.
- Waterproof liners: Prevent moisture from sinking into foam and harboring bacteria.
Look for beds marketed as orthopedic or “egg crate” foam inserts made for XL or XXL crates. Brands like Big Barker, K9 Ballistics, and PetFusion make beds specifically for giant dogs.
Blankets and other materials:
- Use machine-washable fleece throws or cotton blankets.
- Avoid loose stuffing or frayed edges—these are chew risks.
- Skip thick quilts or weighted comforters; they hold heat and odor too easily.
Some dogs love the soft touch of fleece or sherpa-style fabric. Others prefer smooth cotton or even a cooling mat in hot weather. The key is easy to wash, durable, and breathable.
3. Cleaning the Crate: Keeping Odors Down, Comfort Up
Let’s be honest: dogs smell. Especially big dogs. Wet fur, sun-warmed oils, mud from the yard, even a little drool—those smells collect inside the crate, especially in foam mattresses or on unwashed fabric.
Cleaning routine:
- Weekly deep clean: Remove bedding and wash everything (use hot water).
- Wipe down crate bars and floor pan with pet-safe cleaners.
- Air out the mattress in the sun to kill bacteria and reduce smells.
Use a vacuum with a brush attachment to lift hair from corners and crevices.
4. Pet-Safe Cleaning Products
Avoid harsh chemicals like bleach or ammonia—these can leave behind strong odors that overwhelm a dog’s sensitive nose and may even irritate their skin or lungs.
Recommended options:
- White vinegar + water (1:1 ratio): Natural, gentle deodorizer.
- Enzymatic cleaners (like Nature’s Miracle): Breaks down organic messes safely.
- Pet-safe crate wipes: For daily spot-cleaning.
- Baking soda: Use lightly under bedding to absorb odors.
Scented sprays or air fresheners are tempting—but be cautious. What smells “fresh” to us can be overwhelming and uncomfortable for dogs. Stick with neutral or unscented products.
5. When Clean Feels Wrong: Reintroducing the Crate After Cleaning
Here’s the part most humans forget:
Your dog doesn’t just love the crate—they love the way it smells.
To them, that musky, warm, familiar scent is the crate. When you wash it all away, it can feel like their den disappeared. It’s no longer theirs.
This is where crate training isn’t over—it continues.
After a deep clean or a new mattress:
- Reinvite them in with treats or their favorite toy.
- Feed a few meals in the crate again.
- Keep the door open and celebrate when they re-enter on their own.
- Rebuild the association with the new-smelling space.
Think of it like rearranging someone’s bedroom. It takes a little readjustment, even if the changes are for the better.
For anxious or sensitive dogs, you may need to leave something unwashed—a favorite blanket, an old shirt of yours—to maintain that comforting scent. Over time, they’ll adapt. But don’t be surprised if they hesitate at first.
Crate training isn’t a one-time project. It’s a long-term conversation. And that conversation continues every time you clean, replace, or refresh what goes inside.
Cesar Millan – Don’t make this mistake when you are crate training a puppy!
The Human Side of the Crate: It Starts with You
Before a dog ever sets foot inside their crate, something more important has to happen: you need to understand what it really is.
Crate training doesn’t fail because dogs are broken. It fails because people misuse it.
Too often, the crate is treated like a punishment box. A timeout corner. A place to “put the dog” when things get overwhelming. This mindset turns what should be a safe place into a point of tension. Your dog can feel it. If you use the crate as a babysitter, a threat, or worse—a form of emotional exile—your dog will never fully trust it. And more importantly, they may never fully trust you around it.
A crate is not a place to disappear your dog when you’re frustrated. It’s not where your dog should go to serve a sentence. It’s not storage. It’s not a disciplinary tool. It is your dog’s room within the home—a personal refuge they learn to associate with peace, not rejection.
This is where your responsibility comes in. How you present the crate is how your dog will receive it. That means:
- You stay calm when you ask them to enter.
- You don’t yell from across the house.
- You don’t slam the door shut or use it to end a punishment.
- You don’t send them there to make a point.
Instead, your tone stays neutral. Your energy is calm. And when you talk about or interact with the crate, you treat it with the same quiet respect you’d give someone’s bedroom. Because to your dog, that’s exactly what it is.
How we behave around the crate teaches our dogs what to expect from it. When we create consistency, calm, and choice, they respond with trust. And once you have that, crate training becomes something else entirely—not a task, but a partnership.
Cesar Millan – Never put a dog in a crate if you don’t do this before!
Introducing the Crate: Building Trust One Step at a Time
I know we keep saying this, but it is an important thing to understand so we will keep saying it.
Think of the crate as a new room in your home—one that doesn’t come with instructions, one your dog didn’t ask for, but one that could change everything if you introduce it the right way.
The goal isn’t to teach your dog to tolerate the crate. The goal is to help them love it.
Start with curiosity, not command. Place the crate in a low-traffic, but comfortable area—where your dog can observe family life without being in the thick of it. Keep the door open. Let them sniff, look, even ignore it at first. Scatter a few treats near the entrance, maybe a favorite toy just inside. You’re not luring them; you’re inviting them. You’re saying: This space is yours when you’re ready.
Timing matters. Never introduce the crate during chaos or after a correction. Never make it the end of something negative. It should always be associated with calm transitions—after a walk, during quiet time, or before a nap.
When they step inside—even just a paw—acknowledge it gently. No over-the-top cheering, no pressure. Just a calm “good dog” and maybe a little more peanut butter in the Kong inside the crate.
Gradually, build duration. A few seconds becomes a few minutes. Leave the door open. Let them leave and return. The more freedom they feel, the safer they’ll believe the space really is. Over time, you can begin to close the door—but only for short, calm periods. Never longer than they’re ready for. And always with you nearby at first.
This is where positive reinforcement shines. Treats. Calm praise. The soft rustle of a blanket. A predictable routine. All these elements help create what we’re really after: voluntary retreat. A dog who chooses the crate because it feels like home.
Some dogs will take to it quickly. Others, especially those with anxiety or a history of confinement trauma, may need more patience. But the principle is the same: trust is built with consistency and kindness.
The moment your dog chooses to lie down in the crate with the door open, unprompted, that’s your milestone. That’s when you’ll know: the crate isn’t a tool anymore. It’s theirs.
Anecdote: after closing the crate door so that I could sweep and mop behind it I forgot to open it again. Our Dane thought he was being punished because he couldn’t get back into the crate and nap. The whining and begging was nonstop for an hour before we realized I had forgotten to open the crate door again. They do take their room seriously very quickly.
Common Mistakes and Crate Training Troubleshooting: Reading the Room, Not the Rules
Crate training a giant breed dog—or any dog, really—isn’t about following steps like an assembly manual. It’s about reading the dog in front of you and adjusting your rhythm to match theirs. And even when you think you’re doing everything right, things can still go sideways. That’s okay. Training isn’t about perfection. It’s about repair, repetition, and trust.
Start slow. Slower than you think. One of the biggest mistakes new owners make when figuring out how to crate train a puppy or a large dog is rushing the process. They think, “Get the crate, get the dog in it, done.” But your dog isn’t adapting to a box—they’re learning how to feel safe inside of one.
The story begins with curiosity. Let your dog explore the crate at their pace. No shutting the door. No tossing them in and hoping they figure it out. Put meals in there. A favorite chew. A toy with your scent on it. A shirt you have worked out in and is sweaty. Leave the door open. Let them come and go. Their first victory might be sticking their nose inside. Celebrate it calmly.
As comfort grows, build the crate into the daily routine. Feed meals inside. Offer naps inside. Use it during downtime—not as a timeout. Predictability helps dogs self-soothe. If your dog learns that the crate is where they go to relax after a walk, or retreat during loud company visits, they’ll begin to choose it on their own.
But here’s where things get tricky.
If your dog whines, avoids the crate, or seems anxious when you approach it, they’re telling you something important: this doesn’t feel safe yet. That’s not stubbornness. That’s a warning sign.
Step back.
Ask yourself: Did I shut the door too soon? Did something scary happen near the crate? Am I using it too often—or only when I’m leaving?
One of the most common owner missteps is using the crate as containment first, comfort second. If the crate only comes out when you’re leaving for work or angry, your dog will associate it with abandonment or punishment. That’s not a den. That’s exile!
Another common issue is trying to “correct” crate fear by forcing the issue—dragging the dog inside, locking the door, walking away. This doesn’t teach independence; it teaches fear.
If you see trouble signs—resistance, barking, regression—don’t panic. Don’t shame yourself. Just reset. Open the door again. Start back at curiosity. Rebuild the crate’s reputation as a place of peace.
And remember tone and energy matter. The crate isn’t neutral if your body language isn’t. Stay calm when opening the door. Speak softly. No guilt, no overexcited praise, no frustration. Your dog is watching your cues to determine if the crate is still safe.
Above all, this isn’t about control. It’s about communication.
Crate training steps aren’t linear, especially for large dogs who feel everything deeply and can be especially sensitive to emotional tone. You may move forward one day and back the next. That’s okay. If your dog sees the crate as their sanctuary—not their cell—you’re doing it right.
Method K9- Bad Dog Owners
Across Life Stages, Across Lessons: The Crate Evolves with Your Dog
Crate training isn’t just a puppy project. It’s a lifelong conversation—and like all good conversations, it shifts as your dog changes. From first nights to final years, the crate adapts. It matures along with your dog. And if you let it, it becomes more than a tool. It becomes a quiet constant in a chaotic world.
Puppies learn fast, but they don’t learn evenly. To them, the crate is both a boundary and a bedtime. When introduced with patience, it becomes the first place they ever feel truly safe away from you. It’s where they nap after training sessions, eat without competition, and learn that being alone doesn’t mean being abandoned. A puppy who is crate trained gently is a puppy who grows up knowing how to self-soothe.
Adolescent dogs—the wild teens—are another story. Hormones, testing boundaries, pushing limits. This is when many owners feel like training is unraveling. The crate can help reestablish routine, provide cool-down space, and prevent regression during those frustrating “selective hearing” weeks. It’s not about retreating from the chaos. It’s about giving your dog a place to pause.
Adult dogs, especially rescues or those who missed out on early crate training, may need the crate reintroduced slowly—as a symbol of safety, not discipline. For dogs with trauma or uncertainty in their past, a crate can feel like a trap at first. But with time, care, and consent, it can become their first consistent space—a den they’ve never had before. One they get to choose. One that never betrays.
And then there are the seniors. Older dogs often return to the crate with new purpose. Achy joints, fading senses, the need for deeper rest. For some, it becomes a place where they can sleep without worry. For others, it’s where they go when they want to escape the bustling energy of younger pets or children. With a softer bed, an orthopedic insert, or lower sides for easy entry, the crate becomes a dignified sanctuary for bodies that don’t move like they used to.
No matter the age, no matter the past, the crate meets them where they are.
The Social Code Reinforced: Respect the Den
But what happens when humans forget that? When the crate becomes a free-for-all? When toddlers peek in, guests coo, or roommates throw a backpack on top?
That’s when you—the owner—have to hold the line.
The crate only works as a safe space if everyone respects it. That means teaching your kids not to crawl in. It means asking guests not to approach your dog when they’re inside. It means reminding your partner that it’s not a storage bin for the laundry basket.
You don’t need to be harsh. Just clear. “That’s her space. Let’s leave her be.” Simple words that carry real meaning.
This is what the Social Code means: everyone in the home buys into the idea that your dog’s safety matters. When your dog knows the crate won’t be invaded, interrupted, or misused, they let their guard down inside it. And a dog who can let their guard down is a dog who can be themselves.
A dog who feels safe can learn. A dog who feels safe can socialize. A dog who feels safe is a dog who belongs—not just in your house, but in your life.
The Heart of the Home Is a Door Left Open
Crate training, when done well, doesn’t look like obedience. It looks like freedom.
It’s not a lock-up. It’s a let go.
When your dog walks into the crate on their own, curls up, and sighs—that’s not submission. That’s trust. That’s saying, “This is mine. This is where I’m okay.”
And when you leave the door open, and they still choose to go in?
That’s the entire story. That’s the goal. That’s love, in four quiet walls.
Because the crate isn’t just part of your house. It’s the part that belongs entirely to your dog.
Final Thoughts and Key Takeaways
Crate training isn’t a one-size-fits-all checklist—it’s a relationship you build brick by brick, moment by moment. And like any good relationship, it’s based on respect, patience, and communication.
Your dog’s crate is not a container. It’s not a punishment. It’s not a parenting shortcut.
It’s their room. Their retreat. Their reset button when the world gets too loud.
Yes, it takes time. Yes, it takes mistakes. But every moment you spend helping your dog feel safe inside that space is a moment invested in their well-being. In their trust. In the life you’re building together.
So take your time. Start slow. Be consistent. And when in doubt, leave the door open—not just literally, but emotionally.
Because in the end, crate training is not about controlling your dog. It’s about offering them the one thing they crave most:
A place to call their own.
