Table of Contents
What Is a Crate?
A crate, or kennel, is a place of safety for your puppy. Crates can be used as a den for your puppy to relax in during the day or as a travel crate for your puppy when on road trips or flying. It is a way to help with potty training during the night and as a safe place for your puppy to rest while you aren’t home to monitor them.
Crates come in a variety of shapes and sizes. These include soft-sided crates for travel in cars or to and from places, plastic airline-safe travel crates, and wire kennels that can fold flat for easy packing or home use.
The Benefits of Having a Crate
Crates have many benefits. They provide a safe spot for your puppy to relax away from other pets and people. They also create a safe spot for when you’re away from home. This keeps your puppy from getting into dangerous materials when you can’t be there to monitor them. Crates are also excellent for travel safety, keeping your puppy protected in the case of an accident.
In addition, the crate is a great training tool for potty training as well as relaxation training. Remember, the crate should always be used as a positive place for your puppy, and never a negative! Never use the crate for punishment.
How Big Should the Crate Be?
When picking out the best crate size for a puppy, it’s best to keep their adult size in mind. The crate size for a Husky, Golden Retriever, or Lab puppy is going to be much larger than that of a crate for small puppies, even if they both start out small!
Find a crate that fits the length of your puppy’s estimated adult size. It should be large enough that your puppy can comfortably lay down and turn around without being cramped. The crate, however, should not be so large that your dog can potty in one corner and then lay in the other. Many crates come with a barrier that can be installed in the center. This is so you can resize the crate for your puppy’s size when they first arrive home. Then, you can gradually increase the size of the crate as they grow until reaching adulthood.
Where to Locate the Crate in the House
Where you place your puppy’s crate ultimately depends on how busy your home is. If you have a lot of pets and people sharing a common space, it’s a good idea to place the crate in a quiet area of your home such as a bedroom. As your puppy ages, this can become their relaxation spot when they’re feeling stressed or overstimulated.
Another good place to put a crate is where you can monitor your puppy, especially when they are little. Your puppy may feel more comfortable in a living room if that’s where you spend your time. Placing the crate by your bed at night can also help you monitor when your puppy needs to go out for late-night potty trips.
What to Put Inside the Crate
There are a variety of accessories you can place in your puppy’s crate to help them feel more comfortable. Do note that some puppies go through an intensive chewing stage. You don’t want to leave things in the crate that may be ingested or choked on, especially if you are not home to monitor them.
You’ll want to have some crate bedding, puppy pads, toys, and blankets available for your puppy’s crate. There are many beds made specifically to fit in crates that can be easily removed and washed. Puppy pads can help with any accidents. You can use them on long trips where you may not be able to get your puppy out to go potty. Excellent toys for puppies in a crate include chew toys such as Nylabones, treat-fillable toys like Kongs, and other long-lasting items that help capture their attention.
Crate Training Basics
While crate training can get pretty in-depth, there are a few good basics to know. The first is to start gradually. Your puppy won’t be used to the crate yet and may become anxious or upset if left in it too long. Second, always make the crate a positive, fun, and exciting experience! The crate should never be a tool for punishment and should be considered your puppy’s den.
Start by gradually introducing your puppy to the crate. You may want to leave the door open at all times to allow your puppy to explore the crate on their own terms. Hiding treats or a fun chew toy in it can also encourage exploration. Then, once your puppy is comfortable, close the crate door for a few minutes at a time. You can feed your puppy treats through the crate and offer lots of praise. From there, you can gradually increase the time your puppy spends in their crate.
If your puppy is anxious at first, don’t despair! Keep trying with short bursts of time in the crate and lots of treats and praise. Feeding your puppy’s meals in the crate can also help with making it a positive space.
Frequently Asked Questions
While it is fine for two puppies to share an open crate when under supervision, each puppy should have their own individual crate when left alone. This will help prevent any issues such as cramped spaces or an accidental fight.
It isn’t required, but it may help your puppy if they are anxious or the crate is in a higher traffic area. Covering your puppy’s crate, especially if it is an open-wire crate, may help make the space feel more comfortable.
Preparing your puppy for crate training is a great way to create a space that is comfortable and calming for your new puppy. The right size crate, accessories, and a little patience will go a long way in ensuring your puppy stays safe and happy.
Jessica is a lifelong lover of animals. A 2009 graduate of Animal Sciences at Oregon State University, Jessica has worked as a certified dog trainer, veterinary assistant, shelter medicine volunteer, and more. Her favorite areas of interest include behavior, critical and emergency care, and reproduction. Currently, Jessica enjoys gardening, writing, and spends her free time exploring new places with her dog, Libby, or cuddling with her cat, Chell.
