Whether implemented for a short time or used as a staple, crate training helps establish rhythms and patterns essential to you and your pup's comfort. Introducing a puppy to your family means plenty of cuddles, but it also requires a new prioritization of time and energy. I often draw parallels between puppies and newborns. Just as with a newborn, puppies operate best when they feel safe and follow a structured routine. Establishing a routine that fits your family can be one of the greatest challenges presented by bringing home a puppy.
Crate training is a wonderful method that fulfills a growing pup's two main requirements: safety and structure. Though it may seem like your pup has limitless energy, they do need to learn how to stop and rest. I often encourage people to place the crate as far away from hearing as possible. The purpose is twofold, you cannot hear your pup and your pup can't hear you. Placing the crate in a laundry room, mudroom, or garage for the first week makes it easier on both of you. We all want to comfort a crying pup, but, if you respond to your pup every time they whine, they will whine continually in order to get your attention. The great thing with crate training is, after the first few days (if you remain disciplined), your pup will learn to view their crate as a place of safety and rest.
Over the years Annie's Doodles has trained many pups and we have developed a schedule that combines potty and crate training. We suggest using Midwest Life Stages Crate (available on the Store page). This crate has adjustable panels so that as your pup grows the crate can too! One of the first steps in crate training is to ensure that the crate is properly adjusted to your pup's size. If the crate is too small your pup will be cramped and uncomfortable. However, if the crate is too large your pup will inevitably go potty in the back corner and sleep in the front. The best indication for crate size is that your pup should be able to lie down fully without being cramped. With both crate training and potty training it is key to limit accidents! Below I have written out two schedules. One is barebones, providing only the basics. The second is for those wanting a little more detail.
Basic Schedule:
Detailed Schedule:
Crate training is a wonderful method that fulfills a growing pup's two main requirements: safety and structure. Though it may seem like your pup has limitless energy, they do need to learn how to stop and rest. I often encourage people to place the crate as far away from hearing as possible. The purpose is twofold, you cannot hear your pup and your pup can't hear you. Placing the crate in a laundry room, mudroom, or garage for the first week makes it easier on both of you. We all want to comfort a crying pup, but, if you respond to your pup every time they whine, they will whine continually in order to get your attention. The great thing with crate training is, after the first few days (if you remain disciplined), your pup will learn to view their crate as a place of safety and rest.
Over the years Annie's Doodles has trained many pups and we have developed a schedule that combines potty and crate training. We suggest using Midwest Life Stages Crate (available on the Store page). This crate has adjustable panels so that as your pup grows the crate can too! One of the first steps in crate training is to ensure that the crate is properly adjusted to your pup's size. If the crate is too small your pup will be cramped and uncomfortable. However, if the crate is too large your pup will inevitably go potty in the back corner and sleep in the front. The best indication for crate size is that your pup should be able to lie down fully without being cramped. With both crate training and potty training it is key to limit accidents! Below I have written out two schedules. One is barebones, providing only the basics. The second is for those wanting a little more detail.
Basic Schedule:
- Potty
- Eat/drink/play
- Potty
- Free Time
- Crate/nap
- Repeat
Detailed Schedule:
- Wake up - 6:00am
- Take pup out of crate and carry outside to specified potty location
- Do not let the pup walk, we do not want any accidents on the way
- When you put the pup down do not play with them, it is business, not play time
- I like to give them a verbal cue, saying "potty, potty, potty"
- Once they have finished praise and pet them
- Feed/Water
- Give the pup 1 cup 3x a day (They can eat as much of this food in 10 minutes as they want and then pick up the food and no more food until the next feeding. We want their bodies to get on a schedule.) of Life's Abundance: All Life Stage Dog Food
- It is important to pay attention to your pup's eating habits
- If they leave food in their bowl, they are full
- If they eat it all, wait until the next feeding time to give them more
- It is important to pay attention to your pup's eating habits
- Give the pup 1 cup 3x a day (They can eat as much of this food in 10 minutes as they want and then pick up the food and no more food until the next feeding. We want their bodies to get on a schedule.) of Life's Abundance: All Life Stage Dog Food
- Potty
- Twenty minutes after you feed and water your pup it is time for a long potty
- Long potty = Pee + Poop
- Remember to follow the same routine
- Pick them up
- No play
- "Potty, potty, potty"
- Twenty minutes after you feed and water your pup it is time for a long potty
- Inside Play Time
- This is their free time, but only on hardwood or tiled floors
- Carpet = Grass, Grass = Potty!
- While they are in training, I block-off all carpeted areas
- Contentment Training
- During this free time I will play with the pup, but when I need to eat or work I put them on a leash and tie them to my chair
- Initially (just like crate training) they will fuss, if ignored they will eventually lay down and observe the sights and sounds
- It is good for your pup to realize that there are times when they will get your undivided attention and times when they just need to hang out
- Potty
- After 20 min of inside time it is time to take them out for another potty
- Crate/Nap
- Carry the pup straight from their potty into their crate
- This signals them that it is not play time anymore
- Nap for thirty minutes to an hour
- Carry the pup straight from their potty into their crate
- Repeat the schedule
Ideally you will be able to take some time off from work to help your pup fully adjust to their new life. If not, though you can easily modify our prescribed schedule, your pup should not be left in the crate for longer than an hour at a time during the day. Puppies need naps, but they also need plenty of free-time!
If you think there will be times when you are unable to let your pup out after an hour, we recommend that you read How to Train a Puppy in 7 Days (available on our Store page). One of their suggestions is that you leave the pup in a fully puppy-proofed mudroom or laundry room rather than a crate.
Good Luck!
Hannah & The Doodles
If you think there will be times when you are unable to let your pup out after an hour, we recommend that you read How to Train a Puppy in 7 Days (available on our Store page). One of their suggestions is that you leave the pup in a fully puppy-proofed mudroom or laundry room rather than a crate.
Good Luck!
Hannah & The Doodles
