Crating Puppies to Manage Introductions
Introducing a new puppy to your resident dog or cat can be a delicate process that requires careful planning and management. Crating the new pup during the initial stages of introduction provides a safe and controlled environment, allowing you to supervise interactions, resulting in a smooth integration and the best possibility of fostering a harmonious ongoing relationship. Your older dog or cat gets to decide how much interaction they have with the newcomer. The crate with a comfortable bed, toys and chews, creates a cosy and enclosed sanctuary where the new puppy can feel secure during the overwhelming first days in their new home.
Ensuring Safety for Newcomer and Resident:
Crating the new puppy allows for a controlled introduction, preventing any potential aggression between the newcomer and the resident dog or cat. The puppy can observe the resident pets from a secure vantage point while everyone becomes accustomed to the presence of the new puppy. The crate acts as a barrier, providing a sense of security for the newcomer while the resident pets can investigate without any physical contact.
Gradual Interactions:
Crating the newcomer allows for gradual increased interaction as the pets become familiar with each other’s scents, sounds, and body language. This gradual exposure helps build a positive association between the pets.
Reducing Stress and Anxiety:
Introductions can be stressful for pets and owners alike. Crating the newcomer creates a designated space where they can feel secure and protected during the initial stages of introduction. This results in a calmer state of mind, making it easier for the puppy to adapt to the new environment and for the resident pets to adjust to the presence of a new companion.
Building Positive Associations:
Crating the new puppy allows for positive associations to form between the pets. By rewarding calm behaviour with treats and having access to chews, you can create positive experiences for both newcomer and residents.
Choosing a Crate:
The crate needs to be large enough for your puppy to stand up, turn around and lie down comfortably. Visit our crate size page to help with choosing an appropriate size for your pup. (add link) To start, you can cordon off the extra space with a barrier like a cardboard box.
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What Should be Placed in the Crate:
Place your puppy’s bed or mattress into the crate plus a comfy blanket. Partially covering the crate with a duvet cover or sheet, can help to create a more den like atmosphere.
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Where Should the Crate be Situated:
You can place the crate next to your bed or in an area where the family usually congregates (like the lounge or kitchen). You may choose to get more than one crate to allow you to have a night time and daytime location or you can move the crate from place to place as needed. The area should be free from drafts or direct sunlight as your puppy will not be able to move away if they should become too hot or too cold, once the door is closed.
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​Slow Integration and Controlled Supervision:
Crating the new pup provides an opportunity for controlled supervision during the initial stages of introduction. Your new pup is going to be sleeping in the crate at night and remaining in the crate for periods when your other pets are in the same area. At first, only allow your new pup out of the crate, when your other pets are put away. If there are signs of tension between the pets, you can intervene and redirect their focus. As the pup becomes more comfortable and the resident pets behave appropriately, supervised interactions outside of the crate can be gradually introduced. Have both dogs on a lead for the first face to face introductions. The newcomer should be allowed to retreat to the crate if they are overwhelmed.
How it Works:
Lock other pets away when introducing your pup to the crate. Make the crate enticing by sprinkling treats inside. When you arrive home with your puppy, take them into the garden for their first bathroom break – best if this is on lead. After your pup has had an opportunity to explore or play, they will be tired. Take them out to the toilet again before placing them in the crate with the door closed. Ignore any crying and leave the puppy to sleep. Only allow the puppy out when they wake again. Carry your puppy (with the lead attached) to the designated place in the garden that you would like them to use and wait for them to go the toilet. Once they have, you can allow the puppy to walk around in the house still attached to the lead. Don’t allow your puppy to approach your other pets, rather let your other pets approach the puppy. The lead prevents the puppy from moving away from you and having an accident in the house. A small puppy needs to go to the toilet the second they wake, after every meal, after every game and about every half an hour in addition. This means lots of running up and down to the toilet area for you and your pup. Always carry your pup or they will have an accident on the way.
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Your pup needs to be put into the crate whenever they are sleepy (after a visit to the toilet area), whenever you cannot supervise them, at night and for short periods during the day, even when they are awake. Eventually your pup will seek out the crate when they are tired or feel the need for some quiet time.
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Once your pup realises that the crate is coupled with access to chews or toys, you will have created a positive association. Stock up on tasty chews to keep them busy, like dried bones, hooves or sinews. You can stuff a Kong with treats and canned food or you can purchase pre-stuffed bones or hooves.
Your puppy can cope with being in the crate for up to four hours at a time, when needed but this should be built up gradually. The crate is the safest place to leave your pup if you are needing to go out and leave them at home, particularly with other pets. At night, you will need to take your pup out the second they wake, which may be twice a night initially. Within a few days, this will be once a night and within a few weeks, your pup will be able to sleep through. The success of crate training (and toilet training) is completely in your hands. It is essential that you respond immediately that your pup stirs or cries. Carry your pup outside to the toilet and then return them to the crate. If your pup cries again and you are sure they do not need the toilet, you need to leave them to cry. Covering the crate completely can help to calm a stressed out pup. If you are consistent, your pup will soon no longer be crying in the crate (unless they need the toilet).
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Keep your pup on the lead whenever not in the crate for the first few weeks. Besides preventing accidents in the house, this will also allow you to prevent any chasing behaviour, harassing your other dogs or cats or any destruction - while encouraging your pup to bond with you.
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Some dog owners choose to continue to use a crate for their dog into adulthood. If you prefer not to, continue to crate your pup until you are 100% sure they understand only to go to the toilet outside, your other pets are relaxed around the pup and until they are sleeping through the night. If you give your pup too much freedom, too soon, you can end up with house training accidents and destructive behaviour.