Crate Training Your Puppy
The key to housetraining your puppy is to minimize the chances of accidents inside the house. Crate training can assist you in this process since dogs naturally avoid soiling their sleeping area. When you properly crate train your puppy, they will happily spend time in their crate, which serves as a safe space when you cannot closely supervise them.
Ideally, you should gradually introduce your puppy to their crate by following the steps outlined below:
Place the crate in a frequently used area of your home, such as the living room or kitchen, where your family spends a lot of time. Place a blanket and toys inside and leave the crate door open. Occasionally, toss a treat to the back of the crate for your puppy to discover on their own.
Encourage your puppy to enter the crate by throwing a treat just inside the door. When they put their head inside the crate to retrieve the treat, praise them with a "good boy/girl." Repeat this process, gradually tossing the treat farther into the crate until the puppy enters entirely. Offer praise each time they enter to get the treat.
Next, try asking your puppy to go into the crate by saying, "(Their Name), get in your crate," while motioning with your hand. If they comply, praise them and provide a treat. Then, call them out without giving a treat and repeat the process multiple times until they reliably enter and exit the crate on command.
Once your puppy reliably enters and exits the crate, you can begin closing the door for short intervals. Practice several times, but on one occasion, when they are inside, close the door. Praise them and offer food treats while they are in the crate, then open the door and step away without providing treats upon exit. Gradually increase the time the door remains closed. Eventually, take a few steps away from the crate and return to praise them while they are inside. Gradually extend the distance you move away from the crate. Keep in mind that treats are only given when the puppy is inside. When releasing them from the crate, simply open the door and step away.
Now, you can teach your puppy to remain quietly in their crate for extended periods. Position the crate near your chair in the living room, and prepare a Kong or similar toy filled with peanut butter. Ask your puppy to enter their crate, give them the toy, close the door, and engage in an activity like watching TV. If they start crying, it's best to ignore them. Allowing them out when they cry teaches them that crying leads to crate release. After about an hour, if they are calm and settled in the crate, open the door. Remember, when letting them out, do not say anything; just open the door.
Move the crate to your bedroom at night, ask your puppy to enter, turn off the lights, and ignore any crying. However, keep in mind that a young puppy may not be able to go through the entire night without needing to eliminate. If you hear them crying, they may need to go out. Use your judgment!
Over the next few days, confine your puppy to the crate when you are at home during regular activities like cooking dinner or doing laundry. Ensure to provide them with a fun crate toy each time. Ignore any crying, whining, or barking. Once they enter the crate without fuss and do not cry, you can leave them in the crate when you leave the house. Puppies under six months should not be expected to stay in the crate for more than 3-4 hours without a break. As your puppy gets older, you can gradually increase the duration they are expected to "hold it."
As a general guideline, your puppy can “hold it" for the number of hours equal to their age in months plus one. For example, if your pup is 3 months old, they can typically hold it for up to 4 hours.
