Crate Train Your Puppy in 7 Days
Crying in the crate? Let's make it the place your puppy chooses.
A calm, force-free 7-day plan that takes just 10–20 minutes a day, so your puppy settles faster, naps better and stops dreading the crate. No "cry it out".
Get the 7-day plan — £37
7-day step-by-step plan + video walkthroughs + crate confidence tracker · Instant access
Sound familiar?
You bought the crate. Your puppy has other ideas.
- The whining starts the second the door closes — and you're not sure whether to go to them or wait it out.
- You're sleeping on the floor next to the crate — or you've given up and left the door open.
- Your puppy backs away when you walk towards it — as if the crate means something bad is about to happen.
- They're fine when you're there, then scream when you leave the room — even for a minute.
- Everyone gives you different advice — "just ignore them", "cover the crate", "never use one at all".
And quietly, you've started wondering: is my puppy just one of the ones who hates the crate?
Crying is communication, not bad behaviour.
Most crate struggles come from the same few things:
- Rushing the door
- An overtired puppy
- Only using the crate when you leave
- Ignoring, or rushing in every time
Fix those, and the crate stops being a battle. It becomes your puppy's calm, safe den, somewhere they choose to go.
The plan
Seven days, one small step at a time
Each day builds on the last. Short, positive sessions of 10–20 minutes. If your puppy needs longer on a step, you simply repeat the day.
- Day1
Crate introduction
No pressure, just curiosity. Set up the crate so your puppy wants to explore it.
- Day2
Calm entries
Your puppy starts going in by choice, and learns that going in doesn't mean being trapped.
- Day3
Close and settle
Closing the door for the first time, without the drama.
- Day4
Nap and downtime
Linking the crate with sleep, so it becomes where your puppy switches off.
- Day5
Distance builds confidence
Leaving the room for seconds, then minutes, while your puppy stays calm.
- Day6
Mini departures
Short trips out of the house (putting the bins out, a walk round the block) so the crate stays calm even when you leave.
- Day7
Routine ready
Weaving the crate into naps, mornings, evenings and gentle overnight sleep.
What's inside
Everything you need to make the crate feel safe
The 7-day step-by-step plan
Exactly what to do each day, in sessions short enough to fit around family life.
Video walkthroughs
Watch me introduce the crate, build value in it, and close the door without the crying.
Crate games your puppy will love
Treat & Retreat, the In and Out game and Go Find It. Five minutes a day changes how your puppy feels about the crate.
What to do when they cry
When to wait, when to go to them, and when your puppy genuinely needs something.
The 6 mistakes that cause crying
From rushing the door to only using the crate when you leave, and what to do instead.
Crate confidence tracker
A simple 1–5 calm score so you can see progress, even on the hard days.
A simple crate-based daily routine
Morning to night-time, using the crate for rest, not constant confinement.
Plus
Your questions answered: should you cover the crate? What do you do on the first night? Can you use the crate overnight?
What changes
By the end of the plan, many puppies…
- Choose to go into their crate more willingly
- Settle faster, with less fuss
- Sleep for longer, more restful stretches
- Feel calmer when left alone for short times
And many families notice something just as important: they feel more confident too. Every puppy moves at their own pace, and the plan is built to slow down when yours needs it.
Is this for you?
Made for new puppy families
It's for you if…
- You've just brought home a new puppy, or you're about to
- Your puppy whines, cries or refuses to settle in the crate
- You're not sure how long to leave them, or when to go to them
- You want a kind, force-free approach that actually works
- You're exhausted and just want a clear, simple plan to follow
It's not for you if…
- You're looking for a "leave them to cry it out" method
- You want your puppy alone all day by the weekend
- Your puppy panics, hurts themselves or can't be left at all (please book an individual assessment instead)
Who wrote this
Meet Sara
- IMDT accredited dog trainer
- Force-free methods throughout
- Specialist in doodles and family puppies
- Featured on BBC Morning Live
I'm Sara, a force-free trainer helping families raise calm, confident puppies, in person across North London and online around the world.
My crate training videos have been watched by hundreds of thousands of puppy owners on Instagram. This guide is the step-by-step version of exactly what I teach families: no forcing, no "cry it out", just calm progress at your puppy's pace.
Crate Train Your Puppy in 7 Days
Calmer crate time starts tonight.
Start with Day 1 this evening. It takes about 10 minutes, and you'll know exactly what to do next.
Video walkthroughs
Crate games + tracker
One payment. Instant download. Yours to keep.
Before you buy
Questions people ask
How old should my puppy be?
It's designed to start from your puppy's first day home, and it includes realistic crate goals by age, so you know what's normal at 8 weeks, 12 weeks and beyond. Older puppies can follow it too; you may just spend longer on the early days.
Will I have to leave my puppy to cry?
No. This plan is not a "cry it out" method. You'll learn how to tell what your puppy's crying means, when to wait a moment, and when they genuinely need you.
How much time does it take?
About 10–20 minutes a day, in short sessions. Crate games take just 2–5 minutes.
What if my puppy needs more than 7 days?
That's completely normal. Each day builds on the last, and you simply repeat a day until your puppy is comfortable. Confidence grows at your puppy's pace.
Should I cover the crate? What about the first night?
Both are answered inside, along with whether to use the crate overnight and how to set it up before your puppy comes home.
When will I get it?
Straight away. As soon as you've paid, you'll get your download, with links to the video walkthroughs inside. Save it to your phone or print it for the fridge.
If it hasn't arrived after a few minutes, check your junk folder, or email me at sara@doodledoggies.co.uk and I'll send it over myself.
Ready for calmer nights?
A week from now, your puppy could be walking into their crate by choice, and you could be sleeping in your own bed.
Why start today?
Every night the crate feels scary, that feeling gets a little stronger. Starting gently now is much easier than undoing a fear of the crate later.
7-day step-by-step plan + video walkthroughs + crate confidence tracker · Instant access