I'm willing to bet that your new puppy didn't come with a manual entitled "When to Start Crate Training a Puppy". In fact, she didn't come with any instructions at all, am I right? Puppies are well known for that: they win your heart with their pleading eyes and all that cuddliness, but the moment you get them home, they turn into one big mess which needs straightening out pronto if you're to retain any sanity. Only nobody told you that before, right?

It's been a long time since I was a puppy, but I do remember that little pups fall asleep at the drop of a hat, and then they need to go toilet every time they wake up, plus after each meal. But since their moms will look after them for the first eight weeks, let's get started with the two-month old's schedule.

Crate Training an 8 Week Old Puppy

Crate training an 8 week old puppy is a little easier, since some sort of structure is now possible. The puppy should be taken out as soon as he wakes up, say around 7am. Two hours later, he should get his first meal of the day and be taken out again. And one more time after his second meal around 11am.

Late afternoon is play time (around 5pm), followed by another toilet session. The last meal of the day should take place around 7pm, with - guess what? - another toilet break. And finally, when you think you can't take any more, here comes the final toilet break ... and bed! By that time, your puppy should look forward to a good night's sleep, and you better follow suit, because at 7am, you start all over again! Who said crate training puppy would be easy?

The 4 month Benchmark

Always bear in mind that puppies only start developing bladder or sphincter control when they reach their fourth month. So you'll need to be particularly watchful at this stage, because once a puppy starts messing up in his crate, he will have marked this spot as the area where he must relieve himself, and it will be hard to break this cycle. He will also refuse to be fed in that spot, so it is important to clean the area thoroughly and use an odor neutralizer.

Persistence, patience and consistency will produce the best results. Always remember that puppies and dogs in general respond best to positive reinforcement, meaning praise and rewards. You see, we canines are natural pleasers (unlike felines, I might add): that's our goal in life, to make you happy. We just need you to let us know clearly what it is that you expect us to do.

Crate Training Schedule for Puppies

Here's an easy way to figure out your own crate training puppies schedule. During the day, a puppy needs to go potty at intervals that are the hourly equivalents of his age. In other words, a 2 months old puppy needs to go out every two hours; a 3 months old puppy, every 3 hours. And at night, you double the time: every 4 hours for the 2 months old, and every 6 hours for the 3 months old. How's that for easy?

Juggling Work, Crate Schedule ... and TWO Puppies

As to crate training puppies while you're working, well my friend, you'll have to do some juggling, just as you would if you had a baby. Don't worry, with a little practice, it becomes second nature. Either you need to rearrange your working hours, or best of all for your puppy - not to mention your nerves - enroll the help of family, neighbor or a trusted dog service assistant.

It might be easier to restrict your puppy to a small room instead of a crate, which will allow for separate areas for sleeping, eating, playing, and toiletting. Whatever you do, never leave your puppy in its crate longer than 5 hours at a time, except overnight, and then only after he reaches the ripe old age of 10-12 weeks. A crate is no way of life for your puppy, and you don't want him to start thinking that he's being punished, do you?

Getting two puppies "so they'll keep each other company while you're at work" might have sounded like a plan a while back, but now you've got your doubts. Relax, crate training for two puppies is just the same as for one. That's why you were born with two arms: just remember to feed them at the same time, take them out at the same time, etc.

That is very important, because if only one puppy is out of its crate, the other will think it's being punished, and all hell will break loose. Which reminds me, each puppy will also need its own crate. Follow these simple rules, and you'll have puppie crate training handled in no time.

Oh, and did I mention that, when you start crate training a puppy, patience, persistence, and consistency get the job done every time.

Amber, Dog Training Star

Amber has been sniffing out top secrets from expert dog trainers & behaviorists in order to help you understand & communicate with your best friend. Being a dog whisperer is truly the key to stress-free dog & puppy training.

(c) Copyright Amber, DTS. All Rights Reserved Worldwide.

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