SHOULD I USE A CRATE?

A crate is really useful, but isn’t a necessity, so if you don’t want to use one, that’s okay. If you do want to use one, it’s important to get your puppy acclimated to it and to use it properly. Crates can be really helpful for keeping your puppy out of trouble when you can’t supervise and can be helpful with house training, but there are other options if you’d prefer - it’s really up to you. If you opt out of crating, you’ll still need a way to confine your puppy. This can be tethering (if you’re there to supervise), a pen, or a baby gate.

CRATE SIZE

It’s a myth that crates need to only be big enough for your puppy to turn around in. Crates should be large enough that your puppy can sit up without ducking their head and can lie down and stretch out. The roomier the better. I always recommend new puppy owners buy the crate size their dog will need as an adult. There is no need to spend money buying multiple, different sized crates. It’s fine to have your puppy in a large crate that they’ll grow into.

HOW LONG CAN MY PUPPY BE CRATED?

The general rule of thumb for the maximum crate time is your puppy’s age in months plus 1. A 2-month-old puppy can be crated up to 3 hours, a 3-month-old puppy for 4 hours, and so forth. Keep in mind that these are just general guidelines, and your puppy may not be able to be crated for that long.

LONG-TERM CONFINEMENT

For anything over a few hours, use a long-term confinement area instead of a crate. This is a larger area where they can move around more. There should be a water bowl, bedding, toys, chews, and room for them to go potty if they need to. Hard flooring is better for accident cleanup, so a lot of people use kitchens or bathrooms for this. A baby gate or a pen is a good way to make a long-term confinement area.

WHERE SHOULD I PUT THE CRATE?

Put the crate in a commonly used area of your home to help your puppy tolerate crating. For instance, if most of your day is spent in your office, have your puppy’s crate in your office, not in the basement where nobody goes. Your puppy is going to feel more comfortable in a familiar part of your house where they routinely are.

At night, the crate should be in your room (or have multiple crates). Puppies do best when they’re near you; it makes them feel safer. Not only does it provide them comfort to be able to smell you, see you, and hear you, but it allows you to hear them when they need to go potty in the middle of the night.  

MY PUPPY BARKS/CRIES IN THE CRATE

To a certain extent, this is normal. Puppies are often anxious the first few nights, up to a full week. This generally calms down as they acclimate to their new home. Many puppies have not had any experience being put in a crate and left alone, so ease them into it. This is why I don’t recommend leaving your puppy for the first week that you have them. Take time off work and stay with them while they learn to feel safe in their new home. This can help tremendously, and it can cause problems to bring a new puppy home, promptly put them in a crate and leave for hours and hours.

If your puppy cries or barks in their crate:

• ignore it and see if they can self-soothe. We want to see the puppy calming down instead of ramping up. If the crying and barking becomes more and more agitated, let them out.

• give your puppy something amazing to chew on - a bully stick, a pig’s ear, a marrow bone, etc

• make sure the crate is near you. You can talk to them and reassure them that you’re there.

• practice crate sessions in shorter sessions + practice rewarding for going in the crate

If your puppy’s behavior in the crate is more extreme than soft whining or an occasional bark, you may need to work with a Certified Professional Dog Trainer to get help. It’s not normal for a puppy to experience severe distress or anxiety in a crate.

WHEN DO I STOP CRATING MY PUPPY?

As soon as you’re able to, and this will vary from dog to dog. I’ve had 4-month-old puppies who didn’t need crated and 18-month-old adult dogs who did. In general, I try to get dogs out of crates as soon as possible. The more freedom they can have, the better.

I’ve found it’s easiest to stop crating at night first. Typically when the house is quiet and dark, our dogs will settle down and sleep with us. There may be a short adjustment period where they’re excited by their newfound freedom but this will pass when the novelty wears off. Many people are surprised by how much calmer their dogs are when given more freedom.

When you’re ready to try leaving them loose during the day, set them up for success. If they counter surf, clear food off your counters before you leave. If they get into the trash, put the trash somewhere they can’t get it. Leave lots of fun chews and toys down for your pup, and if you have time, exercise them first! A tired pup with fun chews is less likely to get into trouble. You can also graduate from a crate to baby gating them in a larger area - ease them into more freedom instead and see how they do.