For new dog owners, crate training a puppy is a major concern. Crates are an excellent tool to keep your puppy contained and regulate his sleeping schedules in the first month, among other advantages of crate training. They also give him a place to rest that is both secure and cozy, which he might search for his entire life!
When should a puppy be crated for the first time, what should be in the crate, how long does the training process last, how often should it start, and when should it transition?
Knowing what to do if your puppy cries in his crate and how to transition from crate training to allowing your puppy to roam the house can be challenging.
Step 2 – Closing the Crate Door
You can start closing the door for a few minutes at a time once your dog is at ease around and inside the crate. Sit next to the crate or nearby so he can see you and don’t leave him.
Go as slowly as necessary, taking into account how your dog responds to the crate. If you skip this step, your dog might become afraid of the crate.
Increase the amount of time spent in the crate with the door closed until your dog appears at ease and lies down.
Open the door slowly, and don’t make a big deal out of coming back. No high-pitch voices or over the top excitement. If your dog is barking or trying to escape the crate, DO NOT open the door. Prior to letting your dog out of his crate, he MUST BE Calm. This is important for future coming and goings. This could all lead to separation anxiety in your dog.
Where is the Best Place to Put My Dogs Crate?
Choose a location that is convenient for you because only you can answer this question. For us, our personal dog crate is in the bedroom.
I began fostering dogs in our bedroom, but recently changed my mind and decided the lower level was best. This enables the foster dog to have her own space while also preserving the “space” of our resident dogs. Additionally, most foster dogs tend to awaken when my husband leaves for work because he does so early in the morning. In order to keep the morning quiet and enable me to sleep, the foster dog is kept on the lower level.
Place the puppy’s crate in a location where you can hear him wake up in the middle of the night to use the restroom if you have a young puppy. A 6-week-old puppy cannot be expected to be able to hold her bladder throughout the night. Learn how to potty train a puppy fast!.
Should a puppy nap in his crate?
Yes – your puppy should absolutely nap in his crate. He will more readily associate the crate with sleep and calmness the more frequently you put him in it when he is tired.
Due to the frequent naps that young puppies take, you will have many opportunities to create this association.
FAQ
Is it too late to crate train a 4 month old puppy?
No, not too late at all. I didn’t crate train Charlie until he was 10 months. You simply follow the same procedures as for a puppy, but I discovered that it went very quickly because Charlie didn’t feel anxious or scared.
How long can you crate a 4 month old puppy?
Puppies younger than six months old shouldn’t spend more than three to four hours at a time in a crate. They can’t control their bladders or bowels for that long. The same goes for adult dogs being housetrained. Until your dog is able to be left alone in the house without making a mess or engaging in destructive behavior, crate them.
Is my puppy too old to crate train?
Every dog should become accustomed to being cozy in a crate, regardless of age. The following are some advantages of crate training older dogs: Housetraining: Perhaps you adopted an older dog who was never trained to use the restroom outside. Your older dog might benefit from extra encouragement to wait until they go outside.
How late is too late to crate train a dog?
No, it’s never too late! You should make the crate a comfortable place to be and keep crate sessions brief at first, just like you would with a puppy. When they become accustomed to them, many dogs prefer to use the crates even when they are not required to.