Resting in a crate is a pivotal skill for puppies to learn so we can use the crate as a home management tool. Crating is helpful in keeping puppies from chewing on forbidden objects, helping with potty training, and helping them rest during travel. Additionally your pup may have vet-prescribed crate rest at some point in their life, like after a neuter.
We want dogs to be calm and relaxed in their crates, so our goal when they are new to crating is to pattern [go in crate] = [go to sleep/rest]. To help condition this pattern we make sure they have pottied and exercised recently before we put them in the crate.
If they need to crate and we don’t think they will rest, we provide a calm enrichment activity like a frozen, food-stuffed toy. We also cover them if they are being fussy, and uncover them if they are being quiet. Ideally you want to put them in the crate only if they’ve had plenty of exercise and are ready to fall asleep.
Because being apart from their humans often inherently feels bad to puppies, we want to continually build happy associations with the crate. We recommend feeding their meals in their crate; letting them have special chews in their crate; and feeding them a special type of treat for getting into the crate.
Set Up for Crating:
- Crates should be closed and covered if they are fussy. Can be uncovered if they are quiet.
- They can have a blanket if they will not soil it or eat it.
- Some water if they will be left for a long time. (Pet stores sell metal crate bowls.)
- A frozen food toy like a Kong or Groove
- Something to create noise like music, a white noise machine, or a fan. This can help drown out neighborhood noise that might bother them.
Before You Put Them Up Check If:
- Are they “empty”? (Peed within the last 5 minutes, and pooped since their last meal.)
- Have they had at least 15-20 minutes of movement/exercise recently?
- Have they had some water and food
- Do they have something to chew/lick on?
- Additional: Use some Adaptil spray on the crate cover for extra calming.
Homework:
Follow the Crating check list for best crating results. Feed your dog’s meals in their crate, ideally daily to build positive value for crating. If you think they are tired and need a nap, or need to go to bed for the night, put them in the crate so they can practice the crate = sleep pattern.
Prolonged breaks in crating your dog will often mean they lose the skill of crating, so get into a routine that works for you and your family.