The crate can be a very helpful tool when your puppy is young and throughout his life. We have introduced your puppy to several kinds of crates. Our goal has been to make the crate an interesting and safe or fun place to be. You will need to do the majority of the actual crate training once your puppy is home with you. To start, line the crate with a pad or blanket. Cover the crate with a towel or blanket so your puppy can’t see out. You can crate your puppy when you can’t watch him/her (when you are home or when you leave the house for short periods of time) or for naps and at night. In a happy, excited voice, tell your puppy GO TO YOUR CRATE (or whatever word cue you choose) and praise him/her when he goes in. You can put safe toys (rubber kong, ball) in the crate with your puppy but never stuffed toys or other toys that can be torn apart over time and eaten. Never use the crate as punishment. However, if your puppy gets overstimulated, you can put him/her in the crate for a rest period and to calm down. Puppies need down time. It is okay to give them time inside the crate. You should try putting your puppy in the crate a few times during the day when he first comes home and before you put him/her in for bedtime. This will help familiarize him/her with his crate and help you differentiate between whim/herpering/crying to get out or to go potty.
At 8-10 weeks, your puppy should be able to sleep about 7 hours in his crate, but might wake up once in the night to go potty. (Make sure not to offer food or water after 8pm.) I suggest placing the crate close enough to your bed that you can hear him/her at night. Cover the crate with a blanket or towel to signal to your puppy that it is time to sleep. If you hear your puppy whimper in his crate, CARRY him/her out to potty IMMEDIATELY. If he is just barking and crying to get out, ignore him/her or say NO BARK in a firm, low tone.
