Leaving toys in your puppy's crate is an excellent idea; it keeps your puppy busy and occupied. You must be mindful of what toys you leave in it, especially if your dog is a serious chewer. Apart from toys, you can also have bedding, blankets, and food in your crate.
Unless you want your dog to be bored out of their mind and potentially destructive as a result, it's a good idea to include some toys in their crate while you're out.
How long is it okay to leave a dog in a crate? Adult dogs shouldn't be left in crates for more than 6-8 hours. Puppies of 17 weeks and older can handle up to 4 or 5 hours in a crate at a time. Leaving a dog home alone in a crate longer than this can hurt their mental and physical health.
There's no right or wrong answer to how many toys your puppy should have – it all comes down to your individual needs (and that of your puppy's). That said, a good rule of thumb is about 10-15 toys, which are swapped and changed around at regular intervals, giving your dog plenty of variety.
For dogs and other pets, toys are not a luxury, but a necessity. Toys are important to your dog's well-being. Toys help fight boredom when you have to leave your dog at home, and provide comfort when they're feeling nervous. Toys can even help prevent your dog from developing certain problem behaviors.
Having a huge assortment of toys can actually have an adverse effect on your dog. He can easily become overwhelmed and overstimulated, resulting in a lack of excitement around playtime.
While your dog is in their crate, provide them with safe chews, like a bully stick or rubber food-stuffed toy. Dogs love to chew, so this will keep them busy and help prevent boredom. It will also build positive associations with the crate, even more so if you only provide certain special items inside.
You should never completely cover your dog's crate as it can block airflow. Keep blankets away from heat sources, ensure the fabric is breathable, and avoid using knit blankets that may snag or unravel. Monitor the conditions inside the crate in humid summer weather to ensure it doesn't get too hot.
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.
Leaving toys in the crate with your pup can have many advantages, but, as with bedding, the same goes for toys - durable is best! You should never leave soft, stuffed toys or squeaky toys with your puppy, as she is likely to chew up and destroy them, and could potentially ingest pieces of them.
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.
Crate training is necessary for when your canine is a puppy—sleeping in a crate at night teaches puppies how to control their bladder and bowels since they don't like to relieve themselves in the same space that they sleep. Kennels are also excellent for the times that no one can be home to supervise your new puppy.
While the essentials like bedding, food, and water are important, that's not all you should consider including in your dog's crate. In fact, you might consider adding some toys and puzzles to their crate, particularly when they are puppies and need a lot of mental stimulation.
It's recommended to wash at least once a week, might be more often with multiple pets. To clean, insert pads in washer with laundry detergent (no bleach) and wash on regular cycle (warm water).
If he does whine or cry in the crate, it's imperative that you not let him out until he stops. Otherwise, he'll learn that the way to get out of the crate is to whine, so he'll keep doing it.
Crate Training Expectations: Crying is Normal At First
With young puppies, crate training generally takes several weeks. Most puppies under the age of about 16 or 20 weeks (4-5 months) won't be able to stand being in the crate for more than a short period of time — typically no more than a few hours.
So you should only take away the toys once your dog's playtime is over. At first, your dog may growl at you. But after some time, he will be alright. All you need to become patience.
Puppy Night Whining
A soft toy can be an excellent choice for helping your puppy feel nurtured and reassured, especially on her first few nights with you—so long as the toy is durable.
Signs Your Dog Needs More Mental Stimulation
A dog who is lacking stimulation may exhibit the following behaviors: Excessive Barking - it's normal for dogs to bark at passersby or someone knocking at the door, but if your dog is barking for seemingly no reason, it's a sign he or she may just be bored.
Just like circling and digging at bedding before lying down, hiding prized possessions may be an ingrained ritual that comes naturally to some dogs. Your dog's wild ancestors most likely buried food and other objects to keep predators from getting them, which may account for his desire to hide his toys in your sofa.