If you plan on crate training your new puppy, you will want to do your research. Crate training your puppy gives them their own personal space and recreates a den-like atmosphere. It is natural for your pup to seek out its own space.
When it comes to crate training, know that it will take time and patience. Here are some tips that will help crate train your puppy with ease!
Crate training is a time commitment
New puppies under 6 months old cannot be in a crate for more than 3-4 hours at a time because they don’t have full control over their bladders yet. Make sure you are setting aside time to let your puppy out of their crate frequently. If your work schedule doesn’t permit you to let your pup out, ask a family member to help or hire a dog sitter through Rover!
Consider a Snuggle Puppy
If your pup is whining whenever they are in the crate, consider Snuggle Puppy! Dogs and puppies are pack animals who are instinctively drawn to their mother and others in their pack. Separation anxiety and loneliness is common with new puppies, especially when they have been recently separated from their mother. Snuggle Puppy can help ease your puppy’s crate anxiety with the real-feel heartbeat and heat pack that mimics a friend for your pup. The New Puppy Starter Kit is also a great option. It includes everything you need for your new puppy!
Create a safe space
Make sure you create a safe space for your dog in their crate. Remove your dog's collar and never keep a dog in a crate with a harness on. A collar or harness can easily be caught in the crate. If you want to keep a collar on your dog, get a breakaway collar for safety purposes.
Get a nice cozy blanket for their space
Snuggle Blanket comes in 3 different colors, attracts, and retains pet hair and is machine washable. Snuggle Blanket allows for anxiety alleviation by providing familiar smells in unfamiliar environments. When crate training, it is important to have a washable and comfy blanket in their new space. Potty accidents can happen and a blanket will help make the clean-up a lot easier for you and more comfortable for your pup.
Get the right size and style crate
Crates come in different sizes and styles. You can get a plastic, fabric, or collapsible metal crate. When you find the right crate, make sure it is the right size for your dog. A dog should be able to stand up and turn around comfortably in their crate. If the crate is too big, a puppy that is potty training may have too much space for accidents.
If a puppy is left in their crate for too long, they aren’t getting enough quality time with you. This could lead to depression and anxiety. If your schedule and budget force your pup to stay in their crate for too long, crate training is not the best option. Besides crate training, you can get a playpen or block off a small area of the house for them. Keeping your pup confined while you’re away will help prevent accidents and chewing!
Follow these tips and your pup will be ready to spend their lifetime with you. For more tips, check out our blog and visit www.snugglepuppy.com for all of your pup’s essentials!
