Crate Training My Dachshund Puppy: What Finally Worked For Us

Making the Crate Feel Like Home (Not a Punishment)

I’ll be honest—crate training my dachshund puppy was way harder than I expected.

He cried. I stressed. And for a while, it honestly felt like we were getting nowhere.

Every time I put him in the crate, I felt guilty… like I was doing something wrong. He didn’t see it as a safe space—he saw it as “you’re leaving me.”

But everything changed when I stopped treating the crate like a training tool… and started treating it like his little comfort zone.

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Why Crate Training Wasn’t Working at First

If you’re struggling, you’re not alone. This is exactly what was happening with us:

• He would cry the second I closed the door

• He refused to settle down

• He only associated the crate with me leaving

• It felt stressful for both of us

Looking back, the crate just wasn’t inviting. It was functional… but not cozy.

And that was the problem.

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What Finally Worked for My Puppy

This is the exact shift that made everything click:

🐾 I made the crate feel like his space

Instead of just putting him inside, I made it somewhere he actually wanted to be.

Here’s what I changed:

 • Added a super soft, baby blue fluffy bed

 • Put his favorite yellow duck toy inside

• Let him explore the crate on his own (no forcing)

• Sat nearby so he didn’t feel alone

It went from “crate time” to just… his spot.

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The Moment Everything Changed

One day, I noticed something small but huge:

He walked into the crate… on his own.

No treats. No commands. No pressure.

He curled up on his bed, rested his head on his little duck, and just relaxed.

That was the moment I realized—it finally clicked.

Now, he goes in there willingly and actually seems calm. It’s his place.

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My Biggest Crate Training Tip (That No One Told Me)

Don’t focus on the crate as a tool.

Focus on how it feels to your puppy.

If it feels:

• Cold

• Empty

• Isolating

They’re going to resist it.

But if it feels:

• Soft

• Familiar

• Safe

Everything changes.

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Why This Works (Especially for Dachshunds)

Dachshunds are naturally:

• Attached to their owners

• Sensitive to separation

• Comfort-driven

So making the crate cozy isn’t optional—it’s everything.

Once I leaned into that, training became so much easier.

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Do You Need An Expensive Crate?

Here’s my honest opinion:

You don’t need to spend a lot of money on premium brands.

I’ve found that:

 • Basic, generic crates work just as well

• The quality matters more than the brand

So if you’re comparing options, focus on:

• quality

• good reviews

That’s it. This affordable puppy crate is just as good as all the others. It's the one I used. No need for to spend a lot of money.

Final Thoughts (From One Puppy Owner to Another)

If you’re in the middle of crate training and feeling frustrated—I get it.

I was there too.

But sometimes it’s not about stricter training or more discipline…

It’s about making one small change that makes your puppy feel safe.

For us, that was turning the crate into his little cozy corner.

And now? He actually loves it 🤍

Tap here to check out this super affordable puppy crate.