Remember to make use of the crate to assist your 8-week-old puppy to acclimate to it easier, get your pup really tired and then let him have a nap in his new house. *We start crate training our service dog puppies when they are 8 weeks old and our rule of thumb is to not crate them for more than 2 hours at that age.
Younger puppies can only be crated for an hour at a time, gradually increasing as they pass eight weeks of age. You can bump this time to three-hour periods until your puppy reaches around 3 ½ months. From there you can slowly move up their time spent in the crate in relation to their ability to hold their bladder.
Puppies under 6 months of age shouldn't stay in a crate for more than three or four hours at a time.
On the first night, and for about three weeks, have the puppy sleep in a dog crate next to the bed. Line the base with blankets so that it is cosy and drape another blanket over the top to help it feel more secure.
As challenging as it might be, let your dog settle himself down. After a few nights, he should understand that whining and crying in the crate won't get him anywhere. Get some earplugs (or use a white noise app on your phone) and know it's a short-term sacrifice for long-term happiness for you and your pup.
Ignore the whining behavior.
One of the biggest mistakes that new pet parents make is giving their puppies attention or taking their puppies out of the crate once the whining begins. “Ignoring the whining is your best option,” says Dr. Coates.
Here are some training tips if your puppy won't stop crying in their crate: Place the blanket or towel with Mom's scent inside the crate to calm your puppy down. The familiar smells will help them relax and fall asleep, especially the first week.
According to the American Kennel Club, puppies younger than 10 weeks cannot be left alone for more than an hour. From 3-6 months, they should not be left longer than their age in months (for example, 3-month-old puppies cannot be alone for longer than 3 hours).
Most puppies will object quite loudly, but should settle in under half an hour. Make sure your puppy has had a potty break just before entering the crate as puppies do not like to soil their crates and will protest loudly if they need to potty as well.
The first instinct people have is to put some nice, soft, fluffy bedding in the crate to keep a puppy warm and comfortable. But this is a bad idea until your dog has truly proven they will not chew their bedding.
If you have a full-time job and are away for longer periods, you can't expect your puppy to be in a crate for 8 hours per day. After a certain period of time, it becomes cruel to do this. Puppies can't hold their bladders or bowels for very long. The maximum time they should be in their crate is 4 hours.
If you don't want to use a crate, consider creating a safe space somewhere else for your pup. Lots of owners decide to use their bathroom as an alternative to a crate.
#2- Crates can exacerbate anxiety issues
AND, for dogs that already have separation anxiety , crate training will most often make it even worse. Anxious dogs in a crate can sometimes cause themselves harm. It can be extremely difficult and problematic to their health both physically and mentally.
Dogs are not meant to be crated all day. They need social interaction, exercise, and regular potty breaks. That's particularly true for puppies who can only hold their bladder for a few hours.
Knowing what to put in a puppy crate at night will make your puppy as comfortable as possible. A soft crate bedding and some toys will be helpful. Also, ensure that the dog's crate itself is chew-proof so he's not escaping when you're asleep.
Having your puppy in your bedroom with you will make them feel more reassured. Then, you can gradually move them to where you would like them to sleep permanently. It will also help with house training, as they'll be able to tell you when they need to go to the loo.
We recommend crate training for the first 1-2 years of their life to provide structure in your pup's daily life while building their confidence, independence, and overall good manners. Giving your puppy the freedom to join you in bed is a privilege that should be earned through good behavior and age.
Create a Safe Confinement Area
Crate training is a great way to keep older puppies safely sequestered while you're at work. (Tip: You can help your puppy build positive associations with the crate by leaving the door open and putting tasty chew treats inside.)
Interrupt Playtime
In some cases, letting out a loud noise will make your puppy even more excited, and they might continue to bite. At this point, ignore your puppy, stop any interactions and walk away. Stopping playtime abruptly is far more effective than yelling at your puppy or punishing them.
Your puppy will just use the crate as his bedroom bed then. Additional crate training may be required to get your puppy used to the door being closed or you may wish to the door open and cover the crate with a blanket making a cosy den area.
In general, you can leave a healthy puppy home alone when they are over 10 weeks old. However, this doesn't mean letting puppies roam free around your home. Before your puppy reaches this age, you can start crate training. This helps ensure that your puppy will be ready to handle being in a crate while you're at work.