Gina Johnson
Crates are an effective tool for managing, transporting, and training your puppy. They can help with potty training, teaching nap times, and providing a safe space for your puppy. However, there may come a time when you want to transition your puppy to sleep outside of their crate. This can depend on several factors, such as the puppy's age, behaviour, and whether your home is safe for them to roam freely. While there isn't a hard-and-fast rule about age, most puppies are okay to sleep outside their crate at around 7-8 months, although some may take longer due to their chewing habits or temperament.
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What You'll Learn
Crate training
Before bringing your new puppy home, it is a good idea to prepare a puppy-proofed space for them with a crate, bowls, and toys. Use a baby gate or playpen to restrict them to a certain part of the house, such as the kitchen. Puppies should not be given free rein of the house while learning to love their crates, as they can pick up undesirable behaviours like soiling and inappropriate chewing that they can carry into adulthood.
When choosing a crate, consider your puppy's expected adult size and temperament, as well as features like transportability, style, and cost. The crate should be big enough for your puppy to turn around, lie down, and sprawl out fully. Avoid getting a crate that is too big, as your puppy may soil in one corner and sleep in another. You can get around this by using a divider that lets you adjust the amount of space your puppy has access to as they grow.
To begin crate training, slowly introduce your puppy to the crate using open-door, low-pressure tactics. You can start by feeding them every meal in the crate. Stuff a kong with their food and put it in the crate, hand-feed them through the bars, or simply put their food bowl inside. You can also give them stuffed kongs, nylabones, or new toys only when they are in their crates. Any time they go into their crates on their own, praise them and give them treats. This will help your puppy to associate their crate with good things.
Once your puppy is comfortable with the crate, you can start experimenting with short closed-door sessions. It is important to slowly increase the amount of time your puppy spends in their crate, keeping in mind their age and how much time they can spend alone. Crate them while you watch a television show, then let them out for a potty break and playtime.
When your puppy is ready to sleep outside of the crate, you may want to set an alarm so that they don’t have an accident overnight. Make sure that the room they are left in doesn’t have things that could hurt them if chewed or pulled over. You may also want to confine them to one or several puppy-proofed rooms by using baby gates or a playpen.
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Puppy-proofing your home
The right time to transition your puppy to sleeping outside their crate depends on their chewing habits and destructive tendencies. Most puppies are okay to sleep out of their crate at around seven to eight months of age, while some may require confinement for longer due to their chewing needs. However, some puppies have been known to sleep outside their crate from as young as five months old.
To ensure the safety and well-being of your puppy, it is crucial to puppy-proof your home, especially when they are left unattended. Here are some comprehensive guidelines to achieve this:
Secure electrical cords and other wires:
Puppies can be attracted to electrical cords and wires, posing a risk of burns or electrical shock. Keep them out of reach, use cord concealers, or run them through fish tank tubing, which is more chew-proof.
Prevent access to toxic substances and choking hazards:
Keep all toxic substances, such as cleaning supplies, human medications, and toiletries, out of your puppy's reach or secured behind closed doors with childproof latches. Put away small items such as coins, paper clips, rubber bands, and jewelry to prevent choking hazards.
Move poisonous houseplants out of reach:
Some houseplants can be toxic to puppies if ingested. Ensure these plants are placed in locations where your puppy cannot reach them.
Secure trash cans:
Trash cans often contain food hazards, such as raisins, grapes, onions, garlic, and chocolate, which can be toxic to dogs. Secure trash cans with locking lids or keep them in closets to prevent your puppy from accessing them.
Create a designated puppy area outdoors:
Fencing your yard or creating a designated puppy area can help keep your puppy safe from hazards. Keep the lawn trimmed to prevent ticks and remove toxic plants to avoid accidental ingestion. Always provide shade and cool water, and be cautious about heat exposure.
Use dog gates and baby gates:
Utilize dog gates or baby gates to restrict your puppy's access to certain areas of the house, such as the kitchen or a specific room. This helps reduce the amount of space you need to puppy-proof and can aid in potty training.
Anchor heavy furniture:
Purchase anti-tipping kits to anchor heavy furniture, such as bookshelves and lamps, to the wall. This prevents your puppy from pulling them over and avoids potential harm.
Supervise your puppy closely:
Puppies can be mischievous when left unattended, so always keep them in sight. Supervise their physical exercise, following guidelines such as the "5 minutes per month of age, plus 5" rule to avoid stress fractures.
Provide appropriate chewing alternatives:
Redirect your puppy's chewing habits to appropriate alternatives, such as natural chews (dehydrated sweet potatoes or bully sticks) and toys. This helps reinforce good chewing habits and prevents them from chewing on unwanted items.
Be cautious with food:
Avoid feeding your puppy human food, as many human foods are not suitable for dogs. Be especially cautious with items like sugarless gum with xylitol, chocolate, and raisins, which can be poisonous.
Puppy-proof your curtains:
Secure low-hanging curtains to prevent your puppy from chewing on them or potentially pulling them off the wall. Keep curtain cords out of reach to avoid chewing or strangulation risks.
Prepare for accidents:
Even with puppy-proofing, accidents can happen. Keep enzyme cleaners on hand to remove any smells from accidents, and always clean up after your puppy to prevent them from eating their feces.
Remember, the key to successful puppy-proofing is to anticipate potential dangers and make the necessary adjustments to create a safe and welcoming environment for your furry friend.
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Choosing a dog bed
Dogs spend a lot of time sleeping, so it is important to choose a bed that suits their needs. A dog bed is often recognised as their own environment for having time by themselves, relaxing, and unwinding after a long day.
Firstly, it is important to consider the size of the dog bed. The bed should be big enough for the dog to stretch out comfortably, but small enough for them to feel cosy and safe. Larger breeds will need bigger beds, while smaller breeds may prefer something more compact. If you have a puppy, you may want to get a bed they can grow into, so you don't have to replace it after every growth spurt.
Secondly, the material of the bed is an important factor. Look for durable, high-quality materials that can withstand wear and tear. If your dog has allergies or sensitive skin, opt for hypoallergenic materials. If your dog is prone to accidents, you may want something that is easy to wipe down or waterproof.
Thirdly, consider your dog's sleeping style. Observe their favourite sleeping spots and positions, and choose a bed that accommodates their preferences. Some dogs like to curl up, while others prefer to stretch out or sprawl. If your dog likes to rest their head on a pillow, choose a bed with a supportive pillow or raised sides.
Finally, it is important to provide your dog with a safe space to sleep. The bed should be placed in a quiet area of the home with little foot traffic, ideally near other family members. It is also a good idea to have a dedicated sleep space for each dog, even if they choose to sleep together, as this gives them a sense of security and can help prevent resource guarding and aggression.
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Potty training
Establish a Routine
Start each day by taking your puppy out of the crate and giving them a potty break. Be consistent with the timing of these breaks, especially after meals, naps, and playtime. The younger the puppy, the sooner they should be taken out after eating or drinking. It is recommended to wait between 5 and 30 minutes, depending on the puppy's age and size. For example, an eight-week-old puppy can only hold its pee for so long, so take them out immediately upon waking up.
Set Clear Expectations
Make sure your puppy understands that playtime is for daytime hours only. When taking them out at night, avoid playing or getting them too excited. Keep nighttime trips quick and calm so both you and your puppy can get back to sleep. It is also important to establish where your puppy should and should not eliminate.
Use Crate Training
Crate training helps teach your puppy to hold their bladder and bowels. Dogs have a "denning" instinct that makes them feel secure in small spaces, and they naturally want to avoid soiling their sleeping area. The crate should be just large enough for your puppy to stand up, turn around, and lie down. If it's too big, they might use one corner for sleeping and another for eliminating.
Use Positive Reinforcement
Whenever your puppy eliminates outdoors, give them plenty of praise and attention. You can also use treats to encourage good behaviour. If they have an accident inside, don't scold them; simply clean it up with an enzymatic cleaner to remove the odour and discourage them from eliminating in that spot again.
Be Mindful of Their Age and Progress
The age of your puppy will impact their ability to hold their bladder. As a rule of thumb, a puppy can be crated for a number of hours equal to their age in months plus one. For example, a three-month-old puppy should be able to stay in the crate for four hours without a mess. If you feel like you're not making progress with potty training, consult a veterinarian to rule out any health issues.
Remember, every puppy is different, and the key to successful potty training is consistency, patience, and positive reinforcement.
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Transitioning out of the crate
Transitioning your puppy out of their crate is a big step in their development. The right time to do this will depend on your puppy's behaviour and temperament. Most puppies are okay to sleep outside their crate at around 6 months to a year old. However, if your puppy is exhibiting destructive behaviour, you may need to wait longer.
Before transitioning your puppy out of their crate, it is important to puppy-proof your home. Use baby gates or a playpen to create a safe confinement zone. Make sure there is nothing your puppy can pick up, carry around, or chew on. You should also ensure that your puppy is fully potty trained before giving them free rein of the house.
When you are ready to start transitioning your puppy out of their crate, start by leaving them in your room of choice for a couple of minutes. If they seem fine, you can gradually increase the duration. If they start to misbehave, take a step back and try to determine what caused them to fail.
It is important to slowly increase the amount of space your puppy has access to. Start with a single room that your puppy is familiar with and gradually give them access to more rooms in the house. You can restrict access to any rooms you are uncomfortable with your puppy entering.
Some puppies may find it easier to transition to sleeping outside their crate if their bed is in the same room as you. You can then gradually transition their bed out of your room over a series of nights. This can help you to keep an eye on your puppy and be aware of their movements.
If you want to keep an eye on your puppy while you are in another room, you could install a baby camera or video camera. This will allow you to monitor their behaviour and ensure they are not getting into any trouble.
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Frequently asked questions
There are a few methods you can use to transition your puppy to sleeping outside their crate. You can start by letting them roam the house under your supervision and tethering them to you while you relax on the couch. You can also teach them to stay on a mat while you eat dinner. When your puppy behaves well, use positive reinforcement such as praise or treats. You should also continue to slowly increase the amount of time your puppy spends outside their crate.
There is no hard and fast rule about the age at which puppies should start sleeping outside their crate, as every dog is different. Most puppies are okay to sleep out of their crate at around 7-8 months of age, while some may take longer due to their chewing needs. Puppies should have at least 2 solid months of sleeping through the night in their crate peacefully before transitioning them to sleeping outside of it.
To help your puppy sleep outside their crate, you can create a confinement zone in the kitchen or bedroom using baby gates or puppy playpens. You should also provide them with a comfortable bed that is large enough for them to stretch out in. It is also important to puppy-proof your home to ensure your puppy's safety and to prevent any destructive behaviour.
