Place the crate in an area of your house where the family spends a lot of time, such as the family room. Put a soft blanket or bed in the crate. Take the door off or keep it propped open and let the dog explore the crate at their leisure. Some dogs will be naturally curious and start sleeping in the crate right away.
Usually the best place for dog crates at night is in the owner's bedroom, so the dog has the feeling of being in safe company during sleeping time. Having the crate in your bedroom will also allow you to hear your dog if she gets restless during the night and needs to be taken to her potty area.
Having them closer to where you sleep also makes soothing them during the night easier. The flip side is that your puppy's sleep might be disturbed by lots of movement or activity in the room. Try placing their crate in a quiet corner or a separate, less active room.
Your dog shouldn't see their crate as a place of isolation.
Put the crate in a commonly used room during the day. If your pup is using the crate at nighttime, have it in your bedroom. Your pup will have the comfort of your sounds and scent, plus you can hear if they need to go out for a potty break.
If the family spends a lot of time in the living room, this would be an ideal spot to put your dog's crate, as it allows them to see family members and feel included. This is especially beneficial for dogs as social animals that desire to feel part of the household.
The quick answer is that yes – it is absolutely ok to move a crate from room to room! However, this may not always be the most convenient solution, depending on your setup and household.
Dogs who are crate trained feel comfortable and relaxed having a secure den-like space of their own. Some people feel that a dog would be sad in a crate, or think it's like prison. But the truth is that most dogs who are left out of the crate are far more anxious and stressed out.
Generally, you shouldn't place a cover over the crate that's not specifically made for the crate. Towels, sheets, and blankets can be pulled into the crate too easily and ingested by your pup. So, before you use them, make sure that your dog leaves them alone–outside the crate.
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.
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.
The bottom line. At night, your dog's crate should ideally be in your bedroom with you. Especially if you have a puppy, this location makes it easy to know if your dog needs you for anything, like a potty break.
In some cases you may be able to crate a dog for 10-12 hours overnight. Adult and senior dogs tend to sleep rather long at night and will be able to hold their bladder for that long. Especially more laid-back breed such as Pugs or Saint Bernards might not even want to get up before sleeping that long!
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.
Your dog should be able to stand up comfortably and turn around. There shouldn't be too much additional space in the crate. Dogs prefer a small space that feels secure and safe. Using a puppy divider can help ensure that your dog's crate is the appropriate size as your dog grows.
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.
Give your new puppy all the love and nurturing she deserves within the parameters of safety: Choose toys and bedding she can't destroy, and place them in her crate at night, or whenever you must crate her. She'll soon seek out her crate as her own safe spot. And you'll both rest easy.
Most adult dogs can stay in a crate for about half a day as long as the dog gets ample exercise and walks when he or she is out of the crate. Many adult dogs can manage eight or so hours in a crate while their owners are at work, but longer than this can often cause behavioral problems.
Your dog will most likely feel confused and possibly depressed the longer they stay in confinement in their crate. You can let your dog out while you're home and able to give your dog your full attention and one of the best activities for the both of you is cuddling.
Keep a nice bed in the crate and always give a special treat when he gets in it. Food puzzle toys or hollow toys stuffed with food will keep him busy for a while. Put the crate in a quiet place – not completely isolated but not in front of a window or busy doorway.
Puppies can be trained to sleep in a crate and this is often best for their safety and your peace of mind. With adult and senior dogs, they'll often choose where they prefer to sleep. It's your decision if you allow them in your bed, in your bedroom, on the couch or provide another place for them to sleep.
Create a Safe Confinement Area
To keep Fido (and your belongings) safe from harm, create a safe confinement area just for your furry friend. Crate training is a great way to keep older puppies safely sequestered while you're at work.
Healthy, adult dogs don't need water in their crate overnight. Hydration isn't an issue so long as your dog has plenty of water available throughout the day. Also, your dog should associate the ritual of going into her crate at night solely with sleep, comfort, and security, and not with drinking water.
Almost any spare space in your home can double as a dog room: a laundry room, spare bedroom, or even a large walk-in closet. If you live in a small apartment, a baby gate or playpen provides a secure boundary, but can be folded up and stashed out of sight when you're home.
A few accidents when your puppy's been in the crate for too long is not a cause for concern. Also, most every puppy has an occasional upset stomach, which can result in crate soiling. Unless the pup is making it a frequent habit to eliminate in the crate, there's no cause for concern. Accidents happen.