Dogs often start to really appreciate the crate as a place that they know they can go to if they need some alone time. You can leave the door open if your dog is not in it, and it may well be that over time he will seek out his crate to nap or just wind down if he is over-stimulated.
Some puppies do well with their entire crate covered, while others need at least the door of their crate uncovered so they don't feel isolated or too confined. Be aware of the airflow in your puppy's crate if using a blanket — you don't want them waking up because they're too hot.
Like babies, puppies need to be forced to nap. Crate them for their naps, even if you are home, otherwise they sleep with one eye opened, and will jump at the first opportunity for fun. DO NOT GET THEM WHEN THEY CRY, you dictate the schedule, so you get them when it works for you.
If he seems drowsy, encourage him to nap in his safe place: a crate, a dog bed, or a quiet place in the house where he can nap undisturbed. It may take time for him to get the idea, but eventually he'll recognize that spot as the place for sleep. Follow a schedule.
Puppies under 6 months of age shouldn't stay in a crate for more than three or four hours at a time. They can't control their bladders or bowels for that long. The same goes for adult dogs being housetrained. Crate your dog until they are able to be alone in the house without accidents or destructive habits.
It is never acceptable to shut your dog in the crate all day while you go to work. Adult dogs that have been successfully trained to have a positive association with their crate and view it as there safe haven are normally quite happy to be left for about three hours.
There isn't a hard and fast rule about age as such, as every dog is different! Most puppies are OK out of the crate at around 7-8 months of age in our experience, while some due to their chewing needs require confinement for longer.
It's a good idea to leave the crate open when you aren't actively training. Toss treats and his favorite toys in the crate when he's not looking, so he never knows what wonderful surprises he might find there.
When your puppy is reliably going in and out of the crate, you can start to close the door for short periods of time. Practice a couple of in and outs, but one time when he is inside, close the door. Praise him and give him food treats while he is inside, and then open the door and walk away (no treats for coming out).
Crate training is an important step in pet ownership and covering your dog's crate at night is recommended for many dogs, but not for every dog. Some dogs may love the security provided by a darkened, enclosed space, while others can feel anxious in a confined area.
You can usually stop closing your dog into your crate when they are around two years of age. Before then, they are usually more likely to get into trouble. It isn't until they mature fully that they are able to behave properly when not supervised. This is especially true for larger dogs, who tend to mature later.
But in all honesty, there's no 'right time' for a puppy to go to sleep, as long as it's the same every night. While this may be the case, do note that your puppy will need, on average, around 8-10 hours of sleep per night.
If you have a family emergency and need to leave your dog in a crate for 12 hours, he will be just fine. However, if you plan to do this as a general management every weekday as you are at work, this is too long! The same applies for car rides. In a car your dog is safest if he rides in a crate.
As den animals, dogs tend to enjoy enclosed spaces like crates. That means your best friend may naturally prefer the protective atmosphere the crate provides. That sense of security can also be good for dogs who get anxious, especially during a stressful event like a thunderstorm or the Fourth of July.
1. A tired puppy is a sleepy puppy! Tire your puppy out in the couple of hours leading up to their bedtime, with plenty of active play, games or walks. Avoid too much excitement around the last hour before their planned bedtime, which will help the puppy to gradually begin to calm down in the run up to bedtime.
Though many people think dogs can curl up and sleep most anywhere, your furry friend really shouldn't be sleeping on the floor. You also probably don't want him climbing up on your beds or sofas. The truth is, dogs need beds just like we do, and they are beneficial for a variety of reasons.
If your puppy is 5 months old for example, then they will be needing 25 minutes of puppy exercise at a time, and up to two to three times daily. Continue following this guide depending on how many months old your puppy is until they reach adulthood (12-18 months old).
Give your pooch some toys to play with throughout the night, especially interactive puzzle toys that encourage dogs to hunt for bits of kibble, to prevent wake-up calls due to boredom. Spend quality time with your dog during the day and allow your dog to sleep in or near your bedroom on a bed of their own.
In the morning, your puppy will be ready for breakfast at 6 - 7am as 12 hours sleep is about right overnight. During the day they then need another 6 to 8 hours as naps, at least one long one, alone in their bed.
Impawtant Note: While it's common for dogs to sleep in crates at night, we don't recommend that you keep your dog in a crate for more than a couple hours during the day. Before you go back to the office, make sure your dog is fully potty trained so they do not have to stay in a crate at all while you're gone.
Introduce the crate
You can do this during the day - and when you are playing with the pup, encourage them to go into the crate by their own choice – possibly to chase a toy, or to get a treat. You are teaching them that the crate is a safe and rewarding place to be. Don't shut the door yet!