If you will be nearby, in case they wake up and wander out, then it’s perfectly fine to leave the door open. Closing the door might well wake them and if they feel trapped, then they might panic and start associated the crate with being a cage, rather than a comfy place to sleep.
In this article we’ll discuss frequently asked questions on crating so that you can get a better idea of what to expect when crating your puppy. Continue reading to see the most popular questions on the subject and their answers!
Table of Contents
- Should I leave the crate door open during the day?
- Can I crate my dog during the day but not at night?
- When should you close a puppy crate?
- Where should a puppy nap during the day?
- Should I put my 8 week old puppy in a crate at night?
- How do I get my puppy to sleep in his crate during the day?
- How long can a 12 week old puppy hold it at night?
- Should I shut the crate door at night?
- Should I sleep with my puppy the first night?
- How long can I leave my 8 week old puppy in a crate?
- How long do puppies whine in crate?
Should I leave the crate door open during the day?
Leaving the crate door open when you aren’t actively training your dog is a very good idea. You want show the crate in a positive light as much as possible, so that your dog won’t mind those occasions when they need to go inside.
Toss in treats and toys from time to time and leave it in the same stop so that your dog will start to view it as their personal ‘den’ over time.
Can I crate my dog during the day but not at night?
You can certainly use the crate during the day as-needed and then leave it open at night to use as a doggy-bed or to simply put it away. If you aren’t crating your dog at night, however, you might want to consider letting them sleep in the bedroom with you with the door closed.
This is a must for new dogs and puppies, who can accidentally hurt themselves or simply get into a lot of mischief if given free roam of the house at night.
When should you close a puppy crate?
You should only close your dog into the crate when it’s bedtime or when you need it during the day, and only then when absolutely necessary. If you use the crate too much when it’s not needed, then your dog will grow to resent it and then your crate training may do more harm than good.
Where should a puppy nap during the day?
If your puppy is nodding off, then it’s a good idea to encourage them to sleep on a doggy bed or in their crate. The crate is the better option if you are crate training, as you can leave the door open and your puppy will learn that you won’t always close it on them and start to view it as their own personal (and sometimes mobile) space!
Should I put my 8 week old puppy in a crate at night?
You should definitely put your 8 week old puppy in a crate at night but you will need to take them out every 2 hours. At 8 weeks of age, your puppy simply isn’t equipped to wait longer than this for a potty break unless they have exercised heavily and are exhausted.
If you hear them cry out, be sure to take them out of the crate and take them outside immediately, as well, just to be on the safe side!
How do I get my puppy to sleep in his crate during the day?
The best way to do this is to sit near the crate for a few minutes while your puppy is inside and then to get up and leave the room for a few minutes. Return and sit silently near the crate again for 5 to 10 minutes and then leave the room for a longer time than you did before.
Over time, your puppy becomes used to the idea that you’ll leave for a bit and come back and they will feel more relaxed about napping in the crate when they feel tired.
How long can a 12 week old puppy hold it at night?
For 12 week old puppies 3 hours is the very longest that they can wait, although it’s better if you take them out every 2 hours. At this age their bladders are simply too small to allow the puppy control for more than this time. You should set a schedule for taking them out and also listen for any crying.
If you hear it, take you puppy outside immediately to ensure that they don’t need a potty break.
Should I shut the crate door at night?
You should not close your puppy’s crate door at night. Closing the door will make your puppy feel like they are trapped and it will start building negative associations with the crate quickly.
By leaving it open, you are getting your puppy comfortable with the idea that the crate is a small space for them that is comfortable and close to you (it should be in the bedroom at night!)
Should I sleep with my puppy the first night?
Sleeping with your puppy is not a good idea. As cute as your pet is, they cannot control their bladders for very long. For instance, an 8 week old puppy needs to go outside every 2 hours. This means that sleeping with your puppy is very likely to result in an unpleasant surprise!
How long can I leave my 8 week old puppy in a crate?
During the day you want to limit crate time to 30 minutes unless more is absolutely necessary. If you need to leave them in for longer, than 2 hours is the absolute maximum. At 8 weeks of age, this is the limit to which they can control their bladders before needing to go outside.
How long do puppies whine in crate?
It will take your puppy 1 to 2 weeks to get used to the crate although you are likely to still hear crying from time to time. Puppies need to be taken out frequently to go outside for a potty break, so if you do hear them crying then it’s a good idea to take your puppy out right away just to be on the safe side!
My name is Ken and I’m one of the staff writers at Petloverguy.com. I’ve cared for pets most of my life starting with hamsters, turtles, and snakes. Then moving up to parakeets, guinea pigs, and even ducks.
I currently live with two yorkies and a chihuahua mix.
