You just brought your puppy home and you just can’t wait to play with it. But when bedtime comes, or you need to make a quick jaunt to the store, do you want to worry about returning home to a horrid mess? No! That’s why puppy crate training can help yours be a happy dog.

Before you even bring your dog home, choose a crate that will suit your pup’s size and how much they will grow. Make sure that the dog’s crate is large enough. That means that you need to ensure that your dog has the room to turn around and get comfortable in their crate. Always put a blanket or towel in, preferably something that has your scent which will calm the dog when they are feeling anxious.

On the day that your furry baby comes home, take time to let your puppy familiarize itself with different areas of the house. Be there for your pup to return to the “big dog” for reassurance. Open up the crate and let them explore it, praising them for examining something new and different. Pet them inside the crate, give them a treat. Make this a place that they associate with good feelings, safety and happiness.

Each kind of crate has different features. Wire crates are great for furry dogs. Plastic or polymer crates can be great for travel. Small cloth crates are perfect for teacup dogs. Choose the crate that best suits your dog, its size and the use you need it for.

Crates have a number of benefits. With a crate, it can be easier for you to potty train your dog. It also offers you a good place to put your puppy when you must leave it for an hour or two. Rather than risking coming home to a torn up sofa and a dog puking up chocolate on the floor, your dog can stay safely in its crate until you return. Once you have established a routine of leaving for short periods and returning home to a sane household, you can start leaving the crate door open for those same short jaunts.

Your dog’s crate can be used as a place for them to have a time out when they have done something that was undesired (such as peeing on the carpet or chewing your shoes). However, never leave them for more than 10 minutes in their crate for a time out.

Bedtime can be a good time for your dog if you use a crate. Rather than having to deal with a dog that constantly jumps up on the bed and steals the sheets, you can get a good nights’ sleep. Make sure that the crate is comfortable for your pet and offer them an incentive to go in at night. Praise them for being quiet, and be quick to let them out in the morning so that they do not spend too long in the crate overall.

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