Moving mealtime to the dog crate is a great way to get your pet to view the crate as a happy place.

1. Start by Feeding Meals in an Open Crate

Start by feeding your dog his meals inside the crate, leaving the door open the entire time.

Keeping the door open shows your doggo that he’s not going to get locked in. Being able to leave anytime makes the dog crate less scary for him. If your dog refuses to eat inside the dog crate, place the food as close to the dog crate as he will eat and gradually inch the food inside.

2. Briefly Shut the Door Partway

Once your dog is eating comfortably inside the dog crate, briefly shut the door partway in the middle of his meal. Also, add treats after you move the door.

This is not a game of “gotcha.” Shut the door only as far as your dog can handle, which may not be all the way.

If your dog seems nervous as you move the door, immediately open the door again. If your dog stays in the crate even after you move the door, drop in some dog treats. After a few seconds, open the door wide.

Note: If your dog tries to get out while you’re shutting the door, or when it’s shut, let him. Next time, shut the door less or keep it closed for a shorter period next time. With practice, you’ll be able to shut the door and keep it closed longer. The key is to work within your dog’s comfort level.

3. Extend How Long the Door Stays Closed

After your dog is comfortable eating in the crate when the door is shut briefly, you can begin increasing the amount of time you leave the dog crate door closed.

Drop in treats while the door is shut. Open the door any time your dog tries to get out and make a mental note to make things easier next time.

You also can switch from using a dog bowl to giving your pup a KONG Classic dog toy stuffed with a mixture of canned and dry dog food. It takes longer for dogs to finish meals in food toys, which translates into more time spent pleasantly in the crate.

4. Watch Your Dog’s Behavior Inside the Crate

Some dogs start whining as soon as the food toy runs out. If this happens, watch your pup and the clock carefully and leave him in there for only moment or two after the food toy is empty.

You can build up gradually, one second at a time, to longer periods in the crate after the food toy runs out.

Most puppers naturally are inclined to like small, enclosed spaces like dog crates, dog kennels and dog house. Some dogs need more help to learn to enjoy crates than others, though.

Be sure to stay within your individual dog’s comfort zone as you work on this behavior and use these dog training tips. With patience (and treats!), your pup will learn to be happier and calmer in his dog crate.