Crate Training Guide for Boston Terriers

Crate Training Your Boston Terrier

Crate training is one of the most valuable tools for Boston Terrier owners. It provides a safe space, helps with potty training, and prevents destructive behavior when you can’t supervise. Here’s how to crate train your Boston successfully.

Why Crate Train?

Benefits for Boston Terriers

💡 Why It Works

• Safe Haven: Reduces anxiety when alone
• Potty Training: Dogs naturally avoid soiling their sleeping area
• Prevents Destruction: Protects your home and belongings
• Travel Ready: Makes vet visits, car rides, and staying over easier
• SF Apartment Life: Essential for managing space in small SF apartments

Bosties’ Natural Den Instinct

Despite being stubborn, Boston Terriers have a natural instinct to seek out small, enclosed spaces. Proper crate training taps into this instinct, making them feel secure rather than confined.

Choosing the Right Crate

Size Guidelines

💡 Sizing Guide

Your Boston should be able to:

• Stand up fully
• Turn around comfortably
• Lie down stretched out
• Not have excessive room to roam

Boston Weight	Crate Size	Dimensions
Under 15 lbs	Small	24” L × 18” W × 19” H
15-25 lbs	Medium	30” L × 21” W × 24” H

Popular Crate Brands:

• MidWest Homes (highly recommended)
• Petmate (good for travel)
• Diggs Revolving (for growing puppies)

SF Apartment Considerations

⚠️ Space Tip

In small SF apartments, consider:

• Folding crates for easy storage
• Wire crates for better ventilation (important in SF weather!)
• Crate covers for creating cozy, den-like feel
• Placement near windows for light and air circulation

Step-by-Step Training

Phase 1: Introduction (Days 1-3)

Goal: Create positive association with crate

What to Do:

1. Remove door - Keep it open initially
2. Place treats inside - High-value treats (cheese, chicken)
3. Feed meals in crate - All meals happen in crate
4. Hide treats around crate for discovery games
5. Encourage exploration - Let them go in voluntarily

Boston Terrier Tip: Bosties are food-motivated! Use small, high-value training treats to build excitement about the crate.

Phase 2: Closing Door (Days 4-7)

Goal: Gradually get them comfortable with closed door

Process:

1. Close door while eating - They’re distracted and happy
2. Stay nearby - Talk to them through crate
3. Open immediately after eating - Reward with praise
4. Gradually extend time - Start with 30 seconds, work up to 5 minutes

Watch For:

• Whining for attention vs. genuine distress
• Scratching at door
• Trying to push door open

Phase 3: Building Duration (Week 2)

Goal: Extend crate time gradually

Schedule:

Day 8-14: 5-10 minutes in crate while you're home
Day 15-21: 15-20 minutes in crate, move to another room briefly
Day 22+: 30 minutes to 1 hour (still while you're nearby)

Rule of Thumb: Add 5-10 minutes every 2-3 days Never leave them longer than their age in months + 1

Phase 4: Alone Time (Week 3-4)

Goal: Get them comfortable in crate when you leave

Process:

1. Start with very short departures - 5-10 minutes
2. Give special “crate-only” treats - Something high-value
3. Ignore on arrival (for 2-3 minutes) - Don’t reward whining
4. Quietly let them out - Reward calm behavior
5. Gradually increase time - Work up to your normal away time

Common Problems & Solutions

Problem 1: Whining and Barking

⚠️ Don’t Reward It!

❌ NEVER let them out while whining or barking This teaches them that vocalization = freedom

What to do instead:

• Wait for even 5 seconds of silence
• Reward calm behavior with high-value treat
• Use a calming word like “quiet” before letting them out

Problem 2: Refusing to Enter

Boston Terrier Stubbornness in Action:

• Try different approach angles
• Make crate more inviting:
  • Soft, cozy bedding
  • Favorite blanket or toy inside
  • Cover with lightweight blanket for den feel
• Throw treats in farther and farther (treasure hunt)

Problem 3: Accidents in Crate

This Happens - Don’t Panic!

Immediate Action:

1. Clean thoroughly with enzyme cleaner
2. Reduce crate size if too big (they’re peeing in a corner)
3. Backtrack to earlier phase for a few days
4. Ensure crate wasn’t left too long

Prevention:

• Always take out immediately after coming out of crate
• No water or food 2 hours before crating (except puppies)
• Potty break before crating

SF-Specific Tips

Apartment Living Challenges

Common SF Issues:

• Thin walls → barking heard by neighbors
• Small spaces → crate feels bigger in room
• Shared hallways → awkward crate location

Solutions:

1. Soundproofing around crate:

   • Heavy blanket over crate
   • White noise machine nearby
   • Crate against wall (not near shared wall)

2. Crate location matters:

   • Near but not in main walkway
   • Away from front door (reduces excitement barking)
   • Where you can see/hear but they can’t see you constantly

Weather Considerations

SF Summers:

• Wire crates for better airflow
• Keep away from direct sun
• Fan pointing toward crate (not directly on dog)

SF Winters:

• Blankets for warmth
• Draft excluders under crate
• Elevated crate (off cold floors)

Nighttime Training

Why Nights Are Different

💡 Night Strategy

Nights are longer than daytime crating:

• Start with crate in bedroom (first few nights)
• Gradually move to permanent location
• Nighttime potty breaks for young puppies
• Ignore midnight vocalization unless it’s genuine emergency

Schedule for Puppies:

• Under 3 months: Every 2-3 hours
• 3-6 months: Every 4-6 hours
• 6-9 months: Every 6-8 hours
• 9+ months: Usually sleep through night

Making It Cozy

Bedding Ideas

Boston Terrier Favorites:

• Soft fleece blankets (wash frequently!)
• Memory foam dog beds (for adult Bosties)
• Old t-shirts with your scent (comforting)
• Cooling mat for summer months

Safety Check:

• Remove strings, buttons, or small parts (choking hazard)
• No stuffed bedding for young puppies (tear/chew risk)
• Wash weekly (Bosties can get allergies to dust)

Leaving Home Guide

Pre-Departure Routine

30 Minutes Before Leaving:

1. High-energy play - Tire them out mentally
2. Long walk or fetch - Physical exercise
3. Potty break - Ensure empty bladder
4. Quiet time - 10 minutes of calm before crate
5. Crate with special treat - “This is your time!”
6. Calm exit - Don’t make a big deal of leaving

While You’re Away

SF Apartment Tips:

• Leave music or TV on for background noise
• Puzzle toys with treats frozen inside
• Smart toys that dispense treats slowly
• Recommended: 4 hours max for adult Bosties

Post-Arrival Home

Boston Terrier Welcome:

1. Ignore initially - No greetings, no pets
2. Quiet potty break - No play, just business
3. Calm indoor time - 10 minutes before excitement
4. THEN play and greet - Reward calm behavior

When to Call a Professional

⚠️ Get Help If:

• Severe separation anxiety (destruction, self-injury)
• Not improving after 4 weeks of consistent training
• Regression in potty training
• Aggression related to crate
• Loss of appetite lasting more than 24 hours

SF Trainer Resources:

• See SF Resources for trainers
• Look for “positive reinforcement” specialists
• Avoid punishment-based training (counterproductive with Bosties)

Success Metrics

Signs Your Boston is Crate Trained

• Goes in voluntarily when asked
• Stays quiet in crate for extended periods
• No accidents in crate for 2+ weeks
• Relaxed body language in crate (not pacing/whining)
• Sleeps in crate overnight without issues

Timeline Expectations

Age	Expected Duration
8-16 weeks	2-4 weeks
4-6 months	3-6 weeks
6+ months	4-8 weeks

💡 Remember

Every Boston is different! Some train in 2 weeks, others take 2 months. Stay consistent and positive.

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Last updated: January 13, 2026

Disclaimer: This guide represents community experiences. Always consult with professional trainers or veterinarians for specific behavioral or medical advice.