Congratulations on bringing your new puppy home. On day one you will want to start getting your pup used to the crate and begin to develop a crate training schedule in order to set your pup up to learn and develop good habits rather than bad ones. Using a crate along with other management tools sets the puppy up for success so they grow up to be amazing adult dogs that are a joy to live with. You may worry that your dog will be overly restricted if they are managed with a leash indoors, a crate, and a puppy proof confinement area, but it only takes a few moments for your pup to make an undesirable choice. Using a crate is comparable to using a playpen, crib, or bouncy chair to safely and humanely confine a child when an adult can not provide 100% of their attention.

The crate is one of several management tools, that when used properly facilitates potty training, decreases the chances for destructive behaviors, and teaches your puppy to be comfortable spending time alone. The biggest error new puppy parents make is giving their puppy too much freedom too soon. The unmerited freedom results in the puppy making many mistakes, and practicing undesirable behavior. As a result, it takes longer to train then it would have if management tools had been utilized from the very start. Restricting freedom early on, like we would with a young child, will allow for greater freedom with trustworthy behavior later on.

It is far kinder to your new pup to use management tools when they are young so they can enjoy more freedom later.

In order for the crate to be an invaluable house training and safety tool for your new puppy it needs to be combined with adequate potty breaks and sufficient mental and physical activity. Long term crate confinement is never a substitute for supervision and training. Your puppy must be given ample time throughout the day to learn how to be in their home and interact with their people and their environment. Restricting a pups freedom using a leash, gates, and puppy proof areas will set them and you up for success. Think of the crate as your pups bedroom and kitchen. The crate is a perfect resting place and area to enjoy a meal presented in an enriching puzzle type chew toy. It allows your puppy to learn to enjoy some alone time with or without you home. It also allows you to fully focus on other aspects of your life knowing your puppy is in a safe place. 

In order for your puppy to perceive the crate as a positive retreat never use it as a punishment. It can be used if you need a break from your puppy or your puppy is in need of a time out, but do not pair the crate with any form of punishment. Simply put your pup in the crate with a chew toy to help transition the pup from being out and about to being in a more quiet restful place. Chances are if your puppy was misbehaving and could not be redirected, they were overtired and in need of a nap.

Getting Started

When getting started it is important to first get your puppy familiar and comfortable with the crate. It is also important for you to consider and learn what your pups current potty needs are so you do not put your pup in a position where they soil the crate, potentially rendering it a less effective tool. Time in the crate must be gauged according to the pups age, experience, level of training, and ability to hold its bladder and bowels.

Placement of the crate

It is likely when you first bring your puppy home that they will be feeling unsure, even distressed over the change in environment. During this environmental transition it is advisable to allow your puppy to sleep in your bedroom confined to a crate or in a puppy proof pen. This way you can hear and see your puppy so as to be better positioned to address their potty needs. They will also feel comforted by your presence. When your puppy has adjusted to your home and their crate you can then gradually move them further away. Even if your long term goal is to have your dog sleep in your bed, it is critical to your pups behavioral welling-being for them to learn to rest comfortably and confidently on their own, at least until they are fully house trained and reaching adulthood. Every dog should learn to sleep alone without becoming stressed. This will help in preventing separation anxiety.

 During the daytime you can move the crate to various locations to avoid the crate being associated with isolation too soon and to introduce the pup to various household activities. Some people prefer having 2 or more crates rather than moving the crates. Regularly place your puppy in their crate for short rest periods when you are home. Staying close by will make it  easier for your puppy and prevent them from from associating the crate with you departing for prolonged periods of time. Puppies tend to sleep a lot, so taking advantage of nap time to get them accustomed to getting comfy in the crate is well worth it. When your puppy begins to fall asleep on your lap or the floor, move them or encourage them into the crate instead. 

Crate Options

There are basically two types of safe crates for puppies: molded plastic kennels and wire crates. Plastic crates have ventilation on the sides and a wire mesh door. They could be described as den like, so they may provide a cozier, safer feel. Wire crates have the advantage of being able to be folded flat. They also come with a divider so the crate space can be increased as the puppy grows. Covering the wire crate with a blanket can create a more den like feel. However the cover can be pulled in and chewed on by a puppy, so supervision is needed to determine if your puppy will be safe with a crate cover.

Size Matters

When a crate is being used to assist in potty training, bigger is not better. If the crate is too large, your puppy may pee and poop in one corner while resting comfortably in the other. Every dog needs to build bladder and bowel muscle control in order to be able to “hold it” for any significant period of time. Temporarily confining your dog to a small resting area, such as a crate, strongly inhibits the tendency to urinate and defecate whenever the sensation if felt. Your puppy would rather not potty were they are resting or hanging out, so confinement helps your puppy begin to build muscle strength and control.  After a chew toy and a short nap in the crate, you can predict that your puppy will need to eliminate. Upon waking or fussing you can quickly bring your puppy to their potty spot and then reward them generously for going in the right place. Your puppy will need to have ample opportunities to be rewarded for eliminating in the right place so as to build a preference for going outside, or on a wee pad, or turf – the area of your choosing.

Keep in mind that young puppies have poor bladder and bowel control. Muscle strength will improve as they age, but age is not the only factor. Slowly practicing holding for slightly longer periods of time is needed to develop good strength and control. Being in a still and restful state enables your puppy to hold longer. Being crated puts your puppy in a physical state that is conducive to being able to hold longer. Your puppy can hold longer during the night when at rest. Two times you can predict your puppy will need to potty is when they wake (whether from a nights sleep or a daytime nap) and when they are active and excited. If you keep these two factors in mind you know that when your puppy wakes from a nap in the crate they will need to go directly to the potty, with no roaming or playtime in between. Also, if they have been out playing, it is best to give them a potty break before settling them into the crate so they can rest comfortably for a longer period of time. As they get older you will adjust their schedule to meet their more mature capabilities.

Presenting the Crate Positively

Dogs are descended from animals that instinctively seek dens to rest, stay safe, and wean their pups. But this does not guarantee that your domesticated puppy will immediately accept the idea of being confined to a crate. This is often more due to the puppy needing to learn to be alone and/or tolerate the frustration of not having immediate access to the people or things that they want than it is to the crate itself being a problem. Follow these simple steps to help your dog become gradually accustomed to this invaluable tool.

• Place the carte on the floor with the door open
• Secure the door of the crate open so it won’t accidentally bang shut and possibly frighten your puppy.
• Do not place a crate pad, towel, or dog bed in the crate until you are confident that your puppy will not chew it or urinate on this absorbent surface.
• Keep your dog on a leash and have numerous tiny treats on hand.

Your puppy may choose to investigate the crate with little to no prompting. To reinforce that exploration and to encourage more, place a few treats inside the crate. You can toss a few more while your pup is inside to encourage they stay inside for a bit. When you puppy is done and exits the crate, ignore them. You want being in the crate to be more interesting than coming out. Next, place a few more treats inside the crate but this time place them a bit further back. With each repetition try to toss the treats far enough in that your puppy will walk his entire body fully in the crate and then rather than backing out, turn to face the door. When your puppy does that you can give the treats with your dog facing you. Delay the treats so your puppy waits a bit between treats. You may find you now need to encourage your puppy out. With some repetition your puppy will likely start entering the crate before you toss a treat in. This progress may come quickly for some pups and more slowly for others. When your puppy is comfortably entering the crate on their own, change the procedure a bit.

• Toss treats to the back of the crate. Then place yourself in front of the door and count to five before tossing the next treat. Repeat and gradually increase the amount of seconds to 15 or so. This teaches your puppy to wait calmly in the the crate for the arrival the food reward.
• These sessions should take place after a period of play, exercise, and elimination. That way, if your pup seems relaxed, you can close the crate door, toss in a treat, and count to five.
• When you puppy is comfortable in the crate with the door shut for 10 to 15 seconds, begin increasing the length of time your puppy is confined. Provide your pup with long lasting food-stuffed chew toys or a toss a treat every 20 to 30 seconds.
• When you open the door to let your puppy out, attach the leash and ignore the pup for a few moments. Repeat these steps many times at many sessions, gradually increasing the amount of time that the door is closed.Teach your puppy that staying in the crate with the door closed is rewarding.
• Once your puppy can relax enjoying a chew toy in the crate, slowly begin to move slightly away from the crate while you watch TV, work on your laptop or phone, read a book etc. Over time you begin fading your presence out.
• When your dog has mastered this phase of crate training, start feeding at least one, if not all meals in the crate, preferably out of toys. This will help your puppy love the crate. You are giving your puppy something they love in a place you want them to love. Initially you are very present. Later, you will come and go, so your puppy gets used to the fact that you come and go. Being engaged in mealtime helps your puppy to be less interested and concerned with your whereabouts. After your puppy has spent time playing with their chew toys and napping in the crate, take them to the designated toilet area and reward when they go in the right spot. 

Ideally you will want your puppy to sleep in the crate overnight, to eat 2 to 3 meals in the crate, and have at least a morning and afternoon crate nap daily. This will teach and condition your puppy to tolerate alone time with you home, and then alone time with you gone once they can be on a potty schedule that allows for your lengthier departures. 

Crate training helps puppies build bladder and bowel control, prevents inappropriate chewing and exploring places (shelves, coffee tables, children rooms, etc), and encourages them to accept the idea of spending time quietly alone. Crating is not only useful from a training standpoint; it’s something every dog should be comfortable with so going to the veterinarian, groomer, or traveling does not become needlessly more stressful. 

Once your dog is housetrained and mannerly, you wont need to confine your pup to the crate. However, most dogs develop a strong attachment to their crates and enjoy this safe, private retreat. In the long term, it is a good idea to keep your dogs crate in an accessible spot to ensure that they have a special place to rest while maintaining crate training skills. When used properly, your dog’s crate becomes his special home within your home and when traveling, your dogs home away from home. 

If you find that you and your puppy are struggling with crate training, potty training, destructive behavior, or separation issues, consult with an experienced dog trainer in your area. Mastering these skills when your puppy is young or new in your home is the best way to get off to a great start raising and training your puppy.