Crate training is one of the best things to work on with your new puppy. Not only will it make potty training much easier, it will also set them up for success later in life. There are numerous benefits for you and for your pup.
Benefits to Crate Training
“Dogs are less likely to have complications following surgery when they can peacefully relax rather than accidentally aggravate injuries because they can’t settle down in a crate. Crates make it easier to safely transport your dog, whether traveling for leisure or an emergency. For the majority of their life, their crate will serve as their own peaceful space just for them.” (American Kennel Club)
“In addition to being like your puppy’s bedroom, the crate is also a very helpful potty training tool, or in other words, teaching them when and where to go to the bathroom. For example, because puppies DO NOT want to have an accident where they sleep, the crate encourages them to hold it until it’s time to go to the bathroom. The crate also helps prevent your puppy from inappropriate things elsewhere in your house too, by managing their access to other areas when you aren’t able to watch them closely!” -Baxter & Bella Online Puppy School (Use code INSPIRE for 25% OFF)
What Size Crate Should I Buy?
There's nothing wrong with getting a big crate that your furbaby will grow into, but you will need some way to make it smaller while they are a puppy. We suggest getting a wire crate in the beginning, because a lot of them include a divider. Dogs like to keep their sleeping areas clean. When they're still puppies, keep a divider that gives them enough room to stand up and turn around, but not enough room to have an accident. This will help your potty training and crate training go so much smoother! Check out our puppy products page for crate recommendations.
“Dogs instinctively try to keep their sleeping areas clean. As such, the crate helps puppies learn to hold and strengthen their bladder and bowel muscles, making housebreaking less of a chore for you and your dog.” (American Kennel Club)
Crate Set Up - What to Include/Not Include
The most important step in crate training is to make it a positive experience. Make sure they have their snuggle puppy in the crate with the heartbeat on. Give them a soft chew and a hard chew so they have something to occupy them. You can even purchase a chew toy that you only give them while they're in their crate. This helps to associate something positive and something to look forward to when it comes to crate time. Anything you can do to make it a positive experience for them! Dogs are den animals, they like to feel secure and have their own space. It’s best to cover the crate completely so it feels more like a den for them. You can even purchase specific crate covers that are breathable and fit perfectly over their crate.
Check out this video from Greg showing their crate set up:
If you put a little blanket or bed in the crate don't be surprised if they push it all the way to the back. Bernedoodles can get hot easily, most of them prefer the plastic crate base over a fluffy blanket or bed because they'd rather stay cool. If that's the case remove the blanket or bed and simply give them their snuggle puppy with the heart beat on and a chew toy in case they get bored. As they continue to grow, they will go into their crate on their own to take naps and relax. Once they understand the crate is their safe space, they love it and will use it when they need a moment of peace and quiet.
Recommended Chew Toys to Give Your Puppy
Whether your puppy is in their teething stages or not, giving them a chew toy while they're in their crate gives them something to do! (Wondering if they're in the teething stage? Click here to learn more about the teething stage.) Not only are these recommendations great for general chew toys, they're also great during teething time:
Crate Training – Getting Started
For the first couple days, start leaving them alone for SHORT durations - walk into another room then come right back; go make a sandwich in the kitchen and then return, etc... so your puppy learns it's okay to be alone.
Plan to place the crate right next to you while you take a nap, read a book, watch a movie or sit and work in your office - although they are in the crate, since you're near, they'll feel safer and more calm. Help your puppy relax by playing calm music or a noise machine.
As you come and go, do not give your puppy attention, unless upon returning they are calm and quiet. Simply go about your day as usual. Gradually lengthen the time you leave them alone as they learn they can handle it like a champ.
Creating a Daily Routine
Create a daily routine so your puppy knows what to expect when in their crate. In the members only section of Baxter & Bella, check out their 'First Week Together' printables. These will be really helpful in creating a schedule, tracking potty breaks, socialization, and creating a routing for training.
(If you haven't joined Baxter & Bella yet, use code INSPIRE at checkout for 25% OFF!) They also have a Preparing for my Puppy section, along with Basic Training, Intermediate Training, and Advanced Training too.
General Breakdown:
6-9am Wake Up/Train/Eat Play
9-11am Crate Time
11-1pm Train/Eat/Play/Housetrain
1-3pm Crate Time
3-5 Train/Play/Housetrain
5-7pm Crate Time
7-10pm Train/Eat/Play
10pm Bedtime – In Crate
As your puppy matures, lengthen crate time and housetraining times as appropriate.
Remember, when they want to sleep, let them. When they want to wake up, take them to potty right away. Young puppies may need to potty every 15-20 minutes while playing so watch them closely while they are in your home! Click here to read our blog post all about Potty Training Your New Puppy.
How Long can They Stay in Their Crate?
In the beginning, after giving your puppy a potty break, place them in the crate with their snuggle puppy and a safe chew toy and commit to dedicating the next 60 minutes or so for them to have some resting time, as well as to learn this is a safe zone for them, similar to a bedroom.
Regarding duration, day and night are different. During the day your puppy's absolute maximum crate time (without breaks) in hours equals how old your puppy is in months.
(2) months old = (2) hours
(3) months old = (3) hours
(4) months old = (4) hours etc.
What Should I do if my Puppy Cries in Their Crate?
Take your puppy potty right before crate time to help ensure any barking or whining is not because they need to go potty. Most puppies settle themselves within 20-30 minutes. Some will cry longer and some will fuss for shorter time periods. Letting them get over the frustration on their own is a healthy life lesson and a puppy who has learned to settle in their crate will be calm when left alone - a wonderful behavior!
Baxter & Bella says, “It is important to be mindful and make a distinction of being there to positively help a new puppy who is struggling with the crate and stressed in the situation versus our caution of unintentionally rewarding or reinforcing a toddler puppy throwing a tantrum in order to get what they want. From the get go, we want to help our puppy as best as we can to feel relaxed in their crate. They may bark, whimper, whine, etc... but don't worry, with some practice, patience and persistence, your dog can learn to love their crate and you will be so grateful when they do! Click here for a short 2min example of how Baxter & Bella recommends soothing a whining puppy.
If your puppy is simply barking because they want to be out with you, it’s better to allow them to work through the frustration and help them self-soothe. By not rewarding the barking with attention this behavior decreases each time until your puppy readily settles when in their crate - get them out when they bark, and the barking will increase!
If you need more help working through crate training, we highly suggest signing up for Baxter & Bella. They offer one on one calls with their trainers, group Q+A calls (as well as replays of previous calls!), and there is an extensive amount of training information you can access on top of that! All of our families who have done it love it! It's for the life of all your future dogs too. The first couple units really will help set you up for success! (Just remember if you got your furbaby from us, they will be further along so you won't need to set alarms through the night to take out your pup. That's for pups that don't have the curriculum and exposure ours have along the way.) Crate training can be a bit of a challenge in the beginning, but it's so worth it in the end.
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Here's a photo from one of our families whose dog goes on her crate on her own throughout the day, just to relax. :)
