If you’re a new dog owner or just new to training a puppy, it can be a challenge to get them into a routine. However, crate training your puppy can be a great way to provide a sense of safety and normalcy for your pup as they adjust to a new environment. Whether you have a new puppy or an older dog you’d like to train, use these tips to get started. 

Picking The Right Size Crate

A good rule of thumb for dog crate size is to select one big enough for your pup to comfortably stand, turn around, and lay down in. You might want to opt for an expandable crate that can grow with your puppy, rather than a large dog cage right away. This is because puppies can be more likely to have accidents in their dog crate if they know they can hang out on the opposite side of the cage away from their mess. Crate training dogs goes hand-in-hand with feeding and housebreaking, so it’s important to consider these factors when purchasing a crate.

The Crate Is A Safe Place, Not A Punishment

It’s important to remember not to treat the crate as a punishment, although it can be tempting to lock them up when they’re naughty. The crate should feel like a comfortable home base for your pup, and you can foster this by associating it with positive things such as food and toys. This positive association will make your dog more at ease in the crate, so when they eventually need to be locked up, it’s not as anxiety-inducing. 

Plan Ahead To Prevent Bad Behavior

Another aspect of crate training dogs is to plan ahead of time when your pup will need to be locked up to prevent bad behavior before it starts. For example, try to crate your dog before guests arrive or before dinner is served to prevent bad behavior like barking, begging, or jumping instead of punishing the behavior with the crate once it’s happened. In this way, planning will allow crate training to feel more like a routine than a punishment to your dog. 

Be Mindful Of Time Spent Crated

A crate is a fantastic tool for training dogs, but they should not spend extended hours in the crate at a time. Prolonged time in the crate all day and night can cause anxiety and depression in dogs as they don’t get the exercise and human interaction they need. 

According to the Humane Society of the United States, puppies under 6 months shouldn’t be crated for more than three to four hours at a time. This is because they are not used to holding their bladders for a long time, and the same can be said for older dogs who are not yet house-trained. The goal of crate training a dog is not to keep your dogs locked up all day every day while you’re at work, but to help them develop routines surrounding dinnertime, housebreaking, and sleep. 

Work On Progressing Your Pup

When crate training your dog, The Humane Society suggests keeping your dog crated until it can be left at home alone without being destructive or having accidents. From there, it’s recommended that you confine them to one area or room of the house to see how they do before eventually allowing them to have the run of the house while you’re away. Click here to learn how to reduce separation anxiety in dogs. 

Make The Crate Comfy For Your Pal

Crates are great tools to give your dog a place to rest and have some quiet time. For this reason, encourage your children, friends and other family members to leave the dog alone when they’re in their crate, even if the door is open. Since many dogs can get anxious as they get used to the crate, make sure to invest in a durable dog bed that your pal will have a hard time chewing apart.