How much kennel time is too much kennel time?
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Using a crate with your dog can be a hot topic (for those who don’t know much about it), but it’s one of the most effective tools for training, safety, and giving your dog a space to relax. Let’s break down how to use a crate responsibly so that it works for both you and your dog.
Whenever I hear from someone against using a crate with their dogs, they make us (crate-using-owners) out to be some villain in their story. They say we crate our dogs all day long (not true), or if we can’t make time for our dogs, we shouldn’t have them (you haven’t read any of the content here - all we do is talk about our dogs and how we can love them more) and we are cruel for using crates.
What about the owner with a full time job and their dog tears up the home when away? Or how about the puppies and how helpful crate training is for potty training? And what about how I use a crate because it’s helpful and keeps them safe (and I love them so much). It helps me have a life that is not about my dog 24-7. My dogs are happy, loved, and crate trained.
SO… let’s talk about us crate-using-owners and how we can use the it responsibility with our dogs. How long your dog can be in their crate depends on a few things: age, exercise, your work schedule, and potty breaks. Many of you worry that you’ll crate your dog for too long, so we will discuss how to help you feel confident with your crate schedule and find an arrangement that works for both you and your dog. My E Collar Starter Guide also goes into so much detail on how to crate train, crate schedules, benefits of crate training & more!
One Hour:
This is a perfect amount of crate time for a puppy, or if you’re using the crate like I use the place command during the day. One hour of crate time is enough time to help your dog strengthen their ability to relax and practice doing nothing.
You may be a crate-training beginner, and you’re trying to get your dog into a new routine. You could add this hour after a walk, post meal time, or in the afternoon when you want a break to do whatever you want without needing to supervise your dog. The crate can be used as a training tool - just like your e collar - leash - or prong collar.
Two hours:
Two hours is still a totally acceptable amount of time to have your dog in their crate but be mindful of a few factors. This is usually the max amount of time a puppy can hold it until they need a potty break (0-12 months old). I have a great New Puppy Freebie that outlines using the crate with puppies.
Two hours is a normal amount of time for a young or adult dog to be in their crate. If you feel guilty about kenneling your dog, take them out for a 30 minute walk before this chunk of kennel time. Make this a part of your routine and your dog will associate their kennel time with their “after walk relax time”.
4 hours:
It is okay for your dog to be in their kennel for four hours, but please be mindful of your dog’s age and add some physical activity before crate time. Four hours might be too long if your dog is five months or younger. You can also watch your dog’s body language after being in the crate for this amount of time - are they bouncing off the walls & struggling to manage their energy after being in the crate for 4 hours? Then it might be a sign that 4 hours is too long for them. Be mindful of potty breaks and making time for them to have some play/walk/exercise time as well. Take your dog for a walk or add physical exercise like fetch or free time in your backyard before and after kennel time.
6+ Hours:
This amount of time in a crate is too long for a puppy. Some older dogs can handle six or more hours, but when you get to the six hour mark, I would recommend hiring a dog walker or a friend to come by and let your dog stretch their legs a bit if your work schedule doesn’t allow you to get home. Notice that I said some older dog’s can handle this - all dogs are different and you, as the owner, know your dog’s personality & exercise needs. Take all of this into consideration when thinking about your crate schedule. As said before, I recommend making time before these long stretches for a longer walk to let your dog exert some energy before kennel time.
Overnight kenneling is totally different. Your dogs need to sleep just as much as you do. 6+ hours in the kennel overnight is okay - for puppies and older dogs. Actually, I recommend overnight kenneling for puppies. It is a great way to set night time boundaries and reinforce sleep and calmness with night time. Keep in mind that your puppy (especially 0-6 months) will still likely need a middle of the night potty break. Don’t make this a middle of the night play-time… take them out of their crate - let them potty - right back in their crate & back to sleep (download my New Puppy Freebie for more info on this!)
Some Pros of using a crate with your dog
It’s so helpful for potty training: forget the ringing of the bell at the back door - get your dog on a crate schedule routine for happy potty training. If your puppy knows that they will get the opportunity to use the bathroom before & after they go in the crate every time - it will help condition them to recognize this routine and take advantage of that opportunity.
Keeps them out of trouble when you’re gone: Otherwise they might chew up your nice things. If they have no opportunity to chew your things - they will learn not to chew those things. Seems logical right?
Helpful if your dog gets injured: Crate training comes in handy when your dog needs forced bed rest for medical issues that will arise. It’s so difficult for some dogs to lay still - even when injured - so the crate comes in really handy for owners who need those pups to relax in order to heal.
Gives them space to decompress: Think of it like doggy meditation - the more you practice the calm stuff, the calmer your dog will be. Just like the place cot - except the crate offers more definite boundaries for dogs that struggle with understanding that.
Can be a safe space: Many dogs - especially rescues - seek an area that they know they are safe. A kennel can provide that area so that your dog knows they can relax. Many owners say that their dogs seek out the kennel in order to take a nap or chill because they view it as their space.
How do you use kennel time as a training tool in your house? Let’s chat about it!
