Using the crate properly

Crates are meant to be used for short term confinement and management. Used properly they can be a poweful tool.

Here are some recommendations for using a crate:

1. They are used to manage when you can not visually supervise your puppy or dog. Some of the other options are gates, closed doors, x-pens and tethering.
2. The suggested time limit is 4-5 hours total for the day. Not including night time.  There are exceptions to this based on individual circumstances.The time limit for for young puppies is 1 hour for each 4 weeks of age between elimination. Adult dogs can go longer.
3. When possible, acclimate gradulally. First while at home for short periods at a time, then increase. When leaving the house the same rule applies. 
4. When making the transition to no crating and unsupervised time, just reverse the strategy, start with short times and then increase.
5. Crates are not appropriate for long term use. If you have to be gone more than 3 hours provide a potty area for your puppy. Make the potty area a different texture. You can use an x-pen or a gated room.
6. Crate size should be large enough for the puppy or dog to stand up turn around and stretch out on their sides comfortably.

If your puppy is soiling their crate something is wrong. They have been crated too long, they are afraid, they did not get to relieve themselves before crated. Making the crate smaller is not the answer.

It is important to provide adequate exercise, mental stimulation and socialization for your puppy or dog when using a crate. You must have the time and energy to give to your puppy. If they are spending most of the day alone it’s time to consider other options like daycares, walks during the day, or going to work with you. If your dog is being crated because they are misbehaving then some postive training can be the solution.