A crate gives a new puppy a safe, quiet den and gives you a way to prevent accidents and chewing when you cannot watch. The goal of the first week is not long crate time. It is a puppy that walks into the crate on its own and settles. Go slowly, and the rest gets easier.

Before day 1

  • Pick the right size. Your puppy should be able to stand up, turn around and lie down stretched out. Much bigger, and a puppy may use one end as a toilet. A wire crate with a divider panel lets you make the space bigger as your puppy grows.
  • Pick the spot. Put the crate where the family spends time, not in a far room. At night, many owners keep it next to the bed for the first weeks.
  • Make it comfortable. A soft, washable pad or towel. If your puppy chews or shreds bedding, take it out for now.
  • Have safe chews ready, like a puppy rubber toy stuffed with part of a meal.

The first week, step by step

  1. Day 1 to 2: open door games. Toss treats into the crate and let your puppy go in and out freely. Feed meals in or near the crate. Do not close the door yet.
  2. Day 2 to 3: close it for seconds. When your puppy is inside eating a treat or a stuffed toy, close the door for a few seconds, then open it before any fuss. Build up to a minute.
  3. Day 3 to 5: build time while you are home. Crate your puppy with a chew while you sit nearby, then while you move around the room, then while you step out for a minute. Add time in small jumps.
  4. Day 5 to 7: short absences and naps. Puppies sleep a lot. Use the crate for naps after play and a potty break, when your puppy is already tired.

Nights

  • Take your puppy out to potty right before bed.
  • Keep the crate close, so you hear when your puppy wakes and needs to go.
  • Young puppies cannot hold it all night. Take them out on a leash, keep it boring and quiet, then straight back to the crate.
  • Need a plan? Our free puppy schedule maker builds a day and night routine for your puppy's age.

Mistakes to avoid

  • Using the crate as punishment. It should only ever be a good place.
  • Too much, too soon. Long crate time in the first days is the main cause of crying and panic. Short, happy steps work faster.
  • Letting a puppy out mid-cry every time. Wait for a few seconds of quiet, then open. If the crying is intense or does not stop, go back a step, and check whether your puppy needs a potty break.
  • Leaving collars or tags on that can catch on the wire. Take them off in the crate.
  • Skipping exercise and play. A puppy who has played, sniffed and chewed settles much more easily.

If your puppy shows real panic in the crate, such as drooling heavily, trying to break out or hurting itself, stop and talk to your vet or a qualified trainer.

Next steps

Crate time pairs well with our guides on puppy biting and chewing, because a tired, well managed puppy has fewer chances to practice both. For a simple daily routine, get the free PDF, The 7-Day Calm Dog Plan.

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