How to Crate Train a Puppy at Night
Puppies are a little gift from heaven, but if not properly trained, they can quickly make your life hectic. From eaten shoes and walls to accidents around the house, puppies that are left to their own devices can frequently have a mind of their own. Fortunately, there’s a better way to acclimate them to your lifestyle and establish a routine! Crate training is one of the most effective methods to housebreak your puppy. It helps your puppy learn how to restrain itself at the right time and place. Additionally, it’s effective in strengthening the bladder and bowels to give them additional intestinal control. Patience and consistence is the key to success! Here are the steps needed to pull this off.
The Crate: Start by purchasing a crate that is big enough for your puppy to stand up and turn around in. Place soft towels or sheets inside, and better yet, rub them on you to transfer your scent.
Acclimation: It’s important that your puppy learn to love its crate, so you need to acclimate them properly. Try naming it with something like “your house” and during the day, reward your pup with a treat when they go inside. Additionally, you can place their favorite toys inside as well to entice them to use it.
Potty Before Bedtime: Right before bedtime, make sure you take your puppy outside to relieve him or herself. Be sure to give them at least 10 minutes so that they can hopefully both urinate and defecate.
Position the Crate: Position the crate near your bed if possible, but if not, certainly keep it in your bedroom. Puppies are babies, and they want to be near you, so simply hearing you sleep will help ease their anxiety. Additionally, if your puppy needs to go out in the middle of the night during the first few weeks, you will be able to hear them wake up.
Resist the Temptation: Puppies are adorable, and by no fault of their own, they’re master manipulators! You might hear your puppy crying in the night, but resist the urge to take them out of the crate. Consistency is key!
Morning Potty: First thing in the morning, you need to take your puppy out. Puppies like to wake up with the sun, and they will likely want to go outside at this time. Be encouraging and know that sleeping in may be a thing of the past for a bit.
Loads of Praise: Make sure you’re giving your puppy loads of praise for doing a great job crate training! Once they have the hang of it, you can let them sleep with the rest of the family or wherever he or she wants.
If you’re looking for a home away from home for your dog in St. Louis, please contact us. We’d love to offer your pooch a first-class daycare experience! Baxter’s K9 Complex is located off the Page Extension (MO-364), just five minutes from 270 and Page Avenue!