crate train

verb

variants or crate-train

ˈkrāt-ˌtrān 

crate trained or crate-trained; crate training or crate-training; crate trains or crate-trains

transitive + intransitive

: to train an animal (especially a dog) to accept being confined in a crate (see crate entry 1 sense 2)

Consider crate training your new puppy. There are pros and cons to crate training puppies, and the decision to crate train is totally up to the owner.

—Terri Gach-Mils

crate-trained adjective

or less commonly crate trained

a crate-trained puppy

Their dog is crate trained.

crate training noun

or less commonly crate-training

Crate training is popular among pet owners, and many dogs prefer the sense of security they feel when sleeping in their kennels.

—Field & Stream

Examples of crate train in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

One couple hoping that crate training their puppy named Nala would help with her separation anxiety had a revelation about themselves while watching the dog on their pet cam while out to dinner. —Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 June 2025

Neo is a 3-year-old pit bull terrier, 61 pounds, crate trained, neutered, and has a clean bill of health. —Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 24 May 2025

If your pet is crate trained or sleeps in a specific room, keep the door to it open. —Aliza Chasan, CBS News, 4 July 2024

He is already crate trained and knows some basic commands like sit, jump, turn and sniff, but will benefit from some training with his new family. —Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Oct. 2023

If the pet is crate trained and enjoys the crate, that’s also a good option. —The Indianapolis Star, 30 June 2023

Her foster dad tells us that Anika is house-trained and crate trained. —The Republic, The Arizona Republic, 21 Apr. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1984, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for crate train

• aeroplane
• appertain
• ascertain
• capitaine
• cassegrain
• cellophane
• chatelaine
• counterpane
• entertain
• gethsemane
• halothane
• hurricane