While this post is geared towards puppies, the same principles can be applied to adult dogs!
One of the keys to helping your puppy stay out of trouble is management. Management is using things like puppy gates, closed doors, playpens, and crates to prevent our puppies from getting into trouble. Management is also keeping the house and counters clean and keeping non-puppy safe things out of reach. Just like you would baby-proof your house before having a toddler over, you should also puppy proof your house!
In my opinion, the two most important things all puppy parents can have for training and safety are an Ex-Pen and a Crate. The Ex-Pen/playpen is essentially your puppy’s bedroom and playroom. Your puppy’s expen is a safe space for you to leave them on their own while you cook dinner, take a shower, or even leave the house for a bit.
It should have a bed, a water bowl, and a selection of their favorite toys. I like to also include their crate IN the expen, or attached to it with their bed in it. If you have to leave your puppy alone for several hours, and they aren’t old enough to be fully potty trained yet, you should also include a potty spot for them.
Long-term and short-term confinement.
What is long-term confinement?
A place for your puppy to stay when you can’t provide 100% supervision. In other words, when you are out, or busy around the house, and can’t keep your eyes on him the entire time. It prevents chewing accidents, potty accidents, and teaches your puppy to be alone.
Confinement? Surely that’s too strict?
Not at all. It is the best possible start for your puppy in your household. People often give a new puppy complete freedom right away. Then, when he has an accident on the carpet or chews on the legs of the coffee table, they confine him, and confinement becomes a punishment.
Instead, give your puppy a safe place from the beginning, and let him make a gradual and successful transition to his new home. He will be much happier and your furniture will be intact.
When do I use it?
Use a long-term confinement area if you will be gone longer than your puppy can hold it.
Setting up the confinement area.
The ideal confinement area is easy to clean and easy to close off with a door or baby gate. It should be mostly free of furniture and non-puppy-related objects. The best places for a confinement area are the kitchen, laundry room, bathroom, or an empty spare room. Furnish with:
- A puppy potty pad or litter box
- Your puppy’s crate (with the door open)
- Water and food bowls
- A chew toy or Kong
Getting your puppy used to his confinement area:
Step 1. Take your puppy out for a walk or bathroom break.
Step 2. Give him a chew bone or a stuffed Kong. Leave him alone in the confinement area while you go about your business in the house.
Step 3. After 5 minutes or before he finishes his chew, let him out but don’t make a big deal about it or make a fuss over him.
Repeat steps 1-3, gradually increasing the time you leave your puppy in his confinement area without leaving the house. Vary the length of your absences, from 30 seconds to 20 minutes, and repeat them throughout the day.
Leave your puppy in his confinement area (or crate) at night. It is normal for him to try a little crying as a strategy to get out, so brace yourself for that. He has to get used to alone-time.
Step 4. Within the first day or two, start leaving the house for really short intervals like going to the mailbox or taking out the trash. Gradually work up to longer absences, like running errands.
What is short-term confinement?
It means crating your puppy. A crate is a terrific training and management tool. It is useful for house-training, brief alone-time, settling, and any form of travel. Most importantly, a crate teaches your puppy to hold it when he has to go to the bathroom. A crate helps your puppy in many ways—and saves your carpets.
Is using a crate cruel?
Absolutely not. A crate can be your puppy’s favorite place in the world. Think of it as his crib. Use treats, praise, and toys to make your puppy love his crate. Just remember, with a young puppy, never to use the crate for more than 3-4 hours at a time, except for bedtime.
When do I use it?
Use the crate for short absences. General guidelines for crating puppies:
8-10 weeks up to 1 hour
11-12 weeks up to 2 hours
13-16 weeks up to 3 hours
Over 4 months up to 4 hours