The Tipsy Rabbit GSP TopDog Kennel

Pack Your Patience: How to Crate Train

TTR's Tips & Pointers Blog

How to Kennel Train Your German Shorthaired Pointer Puppy

Crate training (also called kennel training) is one of the best things you can do for your German Shorthaired Pointer (GSP) puppy. Not only does it create a safe space for your pup, but it also helps with housebreaking, preventing destructive behavior, and building independence. 

That said, GSPs are high-energy, intelligent, and eager-to-please dogs, but they can also be a little stubborn when they don’t understand why they’re being confined. The key to successful kennel training? Pack your patience! With the right approach, consistency, and a positive mindset, you can help your puppy love their crate and see it as their personal den. 

At The Tipsy Rabbit GSP TopDog Kennel, we prepare our puppies for success before they even go home. We encourage new families to send an appropriate crate that we introduce to the puppies at 5-6 weeks old. With the door left open, the littermates naturally pile in to sleep together, helping them build positive associations with the crate. As their go-home date approaches, we begin closing the door for short periods, helping them adjust to being crated for the first time. By the time they leave, your puppy has already had a head start on kennel training, making the transition to their new home much smoother!

Now, let’s break down how to continue this training at home to set your GSP up for long-term success! 


Why Crate Training is Essential for a GSP


Before we dive into the training steps, let’s cover why kennel training is important for this breed: 


✅ Helps with Housebreaking: Puppies naturally don’t like to soil where they sleep. A crate teaches them bladder control and prevents accidents. 
✅ Creates a Safe Space: A crate becomes your puppy’s calm retreat, helping them feel secure, especially in busy households. 
✅ Prevents Destructive Behavior: GSPs are chewers! A crate keeps them from destroying shoes, furniture, or electrical cords when unsupervised. 
✅ Makes Travel Easier: Whether it’s a vet visit, road trip, or flight, a crate-trained pup travels with far less stress. 
✅ Teaches Independence & Reduces Separation Anxiety: Your puppy learns that being alone for short periods is okay —which helps prevent clingy or anxious behaviors. 

Now that we know why kennel training is essential, let’s talk about how to do it the right way. 


Step 1: Choose the Right Crate 

The right crate will grow with your puppy and provide them with a cozy, safe space. Here’s what to look for: 


✔️ Size Matters – A crate should be big enough for your GSP to stand, turn around, and lie down comfortably, but not so big that they can potty in one corner and sleep in another. Use a divider if needed. 
✔️ Wire vs. Plastic – Wire crates offer more airflow and visibility, while plastic crates can feel cozier and more den-like. Both work well—it depends on your personal preference. 
✔️ Comfortable Setup – Line the crate with a soft blanket or crate pad and include a snuggle toy or scented blanket from their litter to make it feel familiar. 

Step 2: Continue the Positive Association  

Since your puppy has already been introduced to the crate at TTR, your goal is to reinforce that positive association in their new home.

💡 Tips for a Smooth Transition:

  • Place the crate in a quiet but central area where your puppy can see and hear the family.
  • Keep the crate door open initially, allowing your puppy to explore it freely.
  • Toss in treats or favorite toys to encourage curiosity. 
  • Feed meals inside the crate to reinforce positive experiences. 

❌ What NOT to do:

  • Never force your puppy inside the crate.
  • Don’t use the crate as punishment—it should be a happy place! 


Step 3: Short & Positive Crate Sessions

Once your pup is comfortable going in and out of the crate voluntarily, it’s time to start closing the door for short periods—just like we did at TTR! 

🎯 Training Steps:

  1. Encourage your puppy to enter the crate with a treat or chew toy while using a command such as “kennel”. 
  2. Close the door for 1-2 minutes while staying nearby. 
  3. Open the door before they start whining and reward calm behavior. 
  4. Slowly increase the crate time in 5–10-minute increments. A great way to do this is to kennel while doing household tasks such as vaccuming, doing dishes, folding laundry, etc.
  5. If your puppy whines or barks, wait for a moment of silence before opening the crate—otherwise, they’ll learn that whining = getting out. 

Step 4: Crate Training at Night  

Since your puppy has already slept in the crate at TTR, the nighttime adjustment should be smoother—but once again, pack your patience y’all! 

🌙 Nighttime Crate Training Tips: 

  • Place the crate near your bed so your puppy doesn’t feel alone. 
  • Give them a potty break before bedtime. 
  • Provide a safe chew toy (like a frozen Kong) to keep them occupied. 
  • Ignore minor whining but take them out if they truly need to potty. 
     
    Expect at least one potty break per night for the first few weeks! Puppies can typically hold their bladder for their age in months + 1 hour (ex: a 2-month-old puppy = 3 hours max).

Step 5: Leaving Your Puppy Alone in the Crate

Once your puppy is comfortable in their crate, start leaving the room for short periods to prevent separation anxiety. 

Building Crate Independence:

✔️ Practice leaving for 5-10 minutes while your puppy is occupied with a chew. 
✔️ Gradually extend alone time to 30-60 minutes. 
✔️ Act normal when returning—no over-excited greetings! 
 
🐶 Pro Tip: Keep departures low-key so your puppy doesn’t associate crating with “being abandoned.”

Stay Consistent & Be Patient Y'all!

Thanks to the early crate exposure at TTR, your puppy has already built a positive association with their kennel—but it’s up to you to reinforce that training in their new home. With positive reinforcement, a gradual approach, and the right setup, your pup will learn to love their crate as a safe, comfortable space.

 
✔️ Continue using the crate your puppy was introduced to at TTR 
✔️ Start with short sessions and gradually increase time 
✔️ Be consistent with nighttime routines 
✔️ Ignore whining unless it’s a true potty break 
✔️ Always make the crate a happy, safe space 

With time, your GSP will see their crate as their den—a place to relax, recharge, and feel secure.

📸 Featured Pups: TTR’s 101 Spots Litter & their Sire Maverick