Step 2: Feeding Your Dog His Meals in the Crate -- After introducing your dog to the crate, begin feeding him his regular meals near the crate. This will create a pleasant association between your dog and the crate. If your dog will willingly enter the crate at this stage, place the food bowl all the way at the back of the crate. However, if your dog is still unenthusiastic about entering the crate, place the dish just as far inside as he will readily go without getting fearful or anxious. Each time your dog reaches for the food, entice him to enter by gradually moving the dish a little further back in the crate.

Once your dog is standing comfortably in the crate to eat his meal, you can close the crate's door while he is eating. At first, open the door as soon as he finishes his meal. With each consecutive feeding, leave the door closed a few minutes longer, until your puppy becomes used to staying in the crate for approximately ten minutes or so after eating. If you notice that your dog begins to whine to be let out of the crate, you have likely increased the length of time too quickly. Gradually reduce the time you are leaving your dog in the crate. If your dog continues to whine or cry in the crate, it is vital that you not let him out until he stops this behavior otherwise your dog will quickly and incorrectly recognize that whining is the way to get out of the crate.

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