PIGSNPOODLES
Puppy Resources
Crate Training Your Puppy
A crate done right becomes your puppy’s favorite room in the house.
Why Crate Train
A crate isn't confinement — it's a den. It keeps your puppy safe when you can't watch them, supercharges potty training (puppies avoid soiling where they sleep), and gives them a calm retreat for life: travel, vet visits, and grooming all get easier.
Set It Up Right
Size the crate so your puppy can stand, turn, and lie down — but not so large they can potty in one corner and sleep in another. Add a soft blanket and place it where the family is, not in an empty room.
Make It Wonderful
Feed meals in the crate with the door open. Toss treats inside for free wins. Never use the crate as punishment. Start with short, calm sessions and build up — always let them out while they're quiet, not while they're crying, so quiet is what earns the door.
Nights
Expect a night or two of protest — it's the first time your baby has slept without littermates. Keep the crate near your bed at first, take them out once for a late-night potty trip, and keep it boring: no play, straight back to bed. Most settle within a few nights.