6 Rookie Mistakes That Make Your Puppy Hate the Crate

So your puppy screams like they’re being kidnapped every time they go in the crate? Cool cool cool. Welcome to the club.

The bad news? You might accidentally be making the crate feel like puppy jail.
The good news? It’s fixable — and no, it doesn’t involve sleeping on the floor next to the crate for three weeks straight.

Let’s talk about the six mistakes that turn crate time into a total disaster (and how to fix them before you both lose your minds).

1. Using the Crate Like It’s Doggy Timeout ⏲️ 

“Bad dog! Go to your crate!”

Congratulations — your pup now thinks their crate is the place where fun goes to die.

Fix it: Use the crate to prevent chaos, not punish it. Crate them before they lose their mind, not after. Add treats, praise, and calm vibes. It should feel like a chill nap den, not a punishment cave.