Crate Training Made Easy for Small Breeds: Georgie’s Happy Place

The first time we tried to crate train Georgie, it was… a disaster. I’d set up this cozy little den, complete with a soft bed and a few toys, feeling like a responsible pet parent. Georgie, however, had other plans. She’d take one look, let out a tiny, high-pitched yip that could curdle milk, and then bolt under the nearest armchair, giving me the most judgmental side-eye a Morkie has ever mastered. It was clear she considered the crate less a sanctuary and more a canine Alcatraz.

My initial mistake, I quickly realized, was treating the crate like a punishment. It was where she went when she was “bad” (which, for a puppy, was roughly every five minutes), or where she was shoved when I needed a moment of peace. The crate became associated with isolation and negativity, making her naturally wary. Small breeds, with their often-sensitive natures, can be particularly susceptible to this kind of negative association. They pick up on our anxieties, and if we’re stressed about crating them, they’ll be stressed about being in it. (Check out our top pick: training treats.)

I had to completely reframe the crate for Georgie, and for myself. Instead of a prison, it needed to be her personal penthouse suite. I started by feeding her all her meals exclusively in the crate, door open. This immediately created a positive link: yummy food equals happy crate. Then, I’d toss in high-value treats and praise her enthusiastically every time she stepped inside, even for a second. We played games around the crate, dropping toys in and encouraging her to retrieve them. The crate wasn’t just for meals; it was for play, for treats, for good things.

The real turning point came when I started leaving the crate door open all the time, making it accessible even when I wasn’t actively training. I’d often find Georgie curled up inside, napping peacefully, a clear sign it had become her chosen safe space. It wasn’t a place I forced her into; it was a place she chose. She’d take her favorite chew toy in there, or retreat when the doorbell rang. It became her private den, a quiet retreat from the bustling world. What started as a tiny terror’s prison transformed into her cozy sanctuary, her happy place. (Check out our top pick: dog puzzle toys.)

To make crate training easy for your small breed, actively build positive associations with the crate through meals and treats, always ensuring it’s a place of comfort and choice.

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