Puppy Crate Training Schedule by Age

Alternate short crate rests with potty breaks, play and meals. A puppy under six months should not stay in a crate for more than three or four hours at a time, says Humane World for Animals. The limits below come from VCA, the AKC, Rover, Humane World for Animals and Whole Dog Journal.

How long can a puppy stay in the crate?

Humane World also gives a rule of thumb for puppies: no longer than the age in months plus one hour. Rover recommends one hour out of the crate for every two hours a dog spends inside.

A day in blocks

The AKC says to take a puppy outside the moment it wakes from a nap, after play and after meals.

• Wake up: straight outside to potty.
• Breakfast, then outside again.
• Play, then outside again.
• Crate rest, no longer than three or four hours at a time while your puppy is under six months (Humane World for Animals).
• Out of the crate: outside the moment the puppy wakes, then play.
• Repeat through the day with each meal, play session and nap.
• Last meal at least two hours before bed.
• One last potty break right before bed.

See also our guide to puppy potty training.

What about the night?

Young puppies need a break in the night. VCA says a 2-month-old puppy should be taken outside at least every 2 hours, even overnight, and a 3-month-old every 3 hours. A puppy may not be comfortable staying in the crate all night until around 6 months old.

Whole Dog Journal adds that some puppies can make it through an eight-hour stretch at night. If your puppy sleeps that long, Whole Dog Journal recommends sleeping nearby so you can take it outside when it asks.

What belongs in the crate?

The crate should be large enough for the puppy to stand up and turn around in, says Humane World. It recommends choosing a crate large enough to fit your puppy when fully grown. Some crates are adjustable as the puppy grows. VCA suggests comfortable but washable beds and blankets. See also our guide to best dog crate beds and our waterproof dog bed collection.

Humane World says never to use the crate as punishment. It also says prolonged crating may lead to anxiety and discomfort, so leave time outside the crate for exercise, play and company. See also how much do dogs sleep.

When can you stop crating?

Humane World says to crate your dog until it can be alone in the house without accidents or destructive habits. You can then move from the crate to an enclosed area, such as the kitchen, before giving the dog access to the whole house. The crate should always have a comfortable bed, and the door should be left open when you are home so the dog can enter it when it needs a safe space.

Quick answers

How long can a puppy stay in the crate?

Humane World says puppies under six months should not be crated for more than three or four hours at a time. According to VCA, a puppy can hold its bladder for up to 3 hours at 2 months, 4 hours at 3 months and 5 hours at 4 months.

Should a puppy sleep in the crate the first night?

VCA says to expect to check on a young puppy several times through the night and to take it outside every 2 hours at 2 months old. A puppy may not be comfortable staying in the crate all night until it is around 6 months old.

When can you stop crating a puppy?

When it can be alone in the house without accidents or destructive habits, says Humane World. You can then move it to an enclosed area, such as the kitchen, before opening up the whole house.

What is the 2:1 crate rule?

Rover's rule: for every two hours a dog spends in the crate, it spends one hour out of it.

Where to go next

JournalBest Dog Crate BedsBeds made for a crateGuideBefore the AccidentPuppy potty training, hour by hourGuideThe First Three MonthsSocialization in the puppy weeks