How to Train Your Dog to Love Their Carrier (The Soycraft Method)

A simple, proven approach for Singapore pet parents

Most dogs don’t naturally enjoy being inside a carrier at first and that’s normal. Whether it’s for café outings, car travel, vet visits, or long-haul flights, the key to a calm, confident dog lies in proper carrier training.

Based on real experience travelling internationally with small dogs, the Soycraft Method is a structured, gentle way to help your dog feel safe, comfortable, and even happy inside their carrier.

It works for all Soycraft models — the Cloud Carrier, Soleil Woven Carrier, Mallow Sling, and especially the Pet Porter for travel.

 

Why Carrier Training Matters

A well-trained dog inside a carrier is:

• calmer during transport

• less stressed in noisy environments

• more confident in new places

• easier to bring to cafés, malls, and pet-friendly venues

• capable of long flights or road trips

 

Training turns the carrier into a familiar, secure den, instead of something restrictive or unfamiliar.

 

The Soycraft Method: Step-by-Step Carrier Training

Step 1: Make the Carrier a Safe, Positive Space

Place the carrier open in your living room or bedroom. Let your dog investigate freely without pressure.

Encourage engagement by placing inside:

• a cushion or blanket

• high-value treats

• a favourite toy

Your dog should associate the carrier with comfort, not confinement.

 

Step 2: Feed Meals Inside the Carrier

For the next week, serve your dog’s meals inside the carrier.

This naturally builds positive association and reduces hesitation.

Start with:

• door fully open

• then half-closed

• then closed briefly while they eat

Reward calmness generously.

 

 

Step 3: Introduce Short “Rest Sessions”

Once your dog is comfortable entering the carrier, begin 10–20 minute rest sessions.

Tips:

• stay nearby

• offer treats for quiet behaviour

• use a soft voice and calm energy

This step mirrors real-life usage in cafés, vet clinics, and taxis.

 

Step 4: Night-Time Carrier Sleeping (Game-Changer)

For medium or long-haul travel preparation — especially for the Pet Porter — night-time training is essential.

Let your dog sleep inside the carrier for 2–4 weeks before a flight.

Benefits:

• they learn to settle for long periods

• builds deep comfort and security

• prevents whining or restlessness on planes

This single step transforms flight experiences.

 

Step 5: Carry Your Dog Indoors First

Before outdoor sessions, practice carrying your dog around the house in the carrier.

This helps them:

• adjust to movement

• feel stable and supported

• trust the structure of the carrier

The Cloud Carrier and Mallow Sling are especially good for this phase.

 

Step 6: Start Short Outdoor Sessions

Begin with:

• 5–10 minutes outdoors

• quiet environments

• short walks to the carpark, lift lobby, or neighbourhood walkway

Gradually increase:

• distance

• noise levels

• duration

Reward your dog after each session.

Confidence compounds quickly here.

 

Step 7: Simulate Real Travel Conditions

If you’re preparing for flights or long trips:

Try adding:

• dimmed room lighting

• white noise or soft environmental sound

• placing the carrier under a table (airplane-style)

This helps your dog understand that coziness and rest are expected behaviours inside the carrier.

 

 

Choosing the Right Soycraft Carrier for Training

 

Cloud Carrier and Soleil Woven Carrier

Soft, structured, and welcoming - excellent for early positive association.

Mallow Sling

Perfect for clingy or anxious dogs who need closeness.

Pet Porter

Best for travel training, long-duration resting, and real airport/plane simulations.

Each carrier supports training differently, and many pet parents use more than one depending on the stage.

 

Common Training Mistakes to Avoid

• rushing the process

• forcing the dog inside

• skipping nighttime training

• using the carrier only during stressful events (vet visits)

• inconsistent practice

• giving too much space inside the carrier

The goal is calm repetition, not force.

 

How Long Does Training Take?

On average:

• beginners: 2–4 weeks

• anxious dogs: 4–8 weeks

• travel preparation: ideally 1 month of nighttime training

Every dog progresses at their own pace — consistency is what matters.

 

Why the Soycraft Method Works

Because it’s built on:

• positive association

• structure + emotional safety

• gradual exposure

• realistic real-world routines

• proven results from dogs who travel frequently

A well-trained dog in a familiar carrier is:

quiet, content, relaxed, secure.

That’s the goal.

 

Conclusion

Carrier training isn’t just for travel — it improves your dog’s confidence in daily life, reduces stress in busy environments, and gives pet parents far more freedom to bring their pets anywhere.

Whether you use the Cloud Carrier, Soleil Woven, Mallow Sling, or Pet Porter, the Soycraft Method helps your dog feel at home no matter where you go.