What Does Daily Crate Training Look Like?

• Not a substitute for professional veterinary help.

Crate training your dog usually works best when you have a plan. Whether you’re training a brand-new puppy or helping an adult dog adjust, a structured crate training schedule can make a big difference in your timeline.

Exactly how long crate training will take varies. Fear-free certified dog trainer Rachel Lane, founder of Leash and Learn, explains that every dog adjusts to crate training at their own pace—some in just a few days, others in a few months. Factors like age, potty needs, past experiences, and consistency all play a role.

In this article, we’ll walk you through step-by-step crate training schedules by your dog’s age and provide puppy crate training tips to help you stay on track.

What Is the 2:1 Crate Rule?

The 2:1 crate rule is a simple guideline for balancing crate time with time outside the crate.

“The 2:1 crate rule says that for every two hours a dog spends inside their crate, they should spend one hour out of the crate,” explains Lane. “For puppies, especially those still potty training, this is generally a good rule of thumb. It helps ensure the dog gets enough rest but isn’t in their crate too much, while also creating structure that can minimize potty accidents.”

That said, the 2:1 rule isn’t one-size-fits-all, because puppies often need more frequent potty breaks. Ultimately, the best crate schedule depends on your dog’s individual needs. Watch their behavior and adjust their routine according to their age and energy levels.

How to adjust the 2:1 rule for individual dogs

• Puppies. Young puppies have small bladders and short bursts of energy, so they need more frequent potty breaks and play sessions. Instead of a strict 2:1 ratio, puppies may do best with shorter crate times to prevent accidents and burn some energy.
• Small breeds. Smaller dogs also tend to have smaller bladders, meaning they may need more time outside the crate than the standard 2:1 ratio suggests.
• Senior dogs. Older dogs may need longer rest periods, but they also require more frequent potty breaks due to muscle weakness or health conditions. Try to give them time to rest without risking accidents in the house or stiffness from too much crate time.

Puppy Crate Training Schedule

A solid crate training routine helps your puppy learn when to rest, play, eat, and go potty. More importantly, it helps them build positive associations with the crate. Remember, the goal is to get your puppy to enjoy the crate and view it as a safe and comfortable space!

Puppies also need plenty of supervised time outside the crate for socialization and play. A basic crate training routine could follow a simple cycle of bathroom break, playtime, food, crate time, then release.

Sample crate schedule for puppies

Here’s a sample daily schedule to help guide your puppy’s crate training. You can adjust the schedule as needed according to your regular wakeup and bedtime hours.

Playtime can include anything from short walks to training to enrichment activities!

Time	Activity
7:00 a.m. – 8:00 a.m.	Wake up and potty break Breakfast and supervised playtime
8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.	Crate time (nap/rest)
10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.	Potty break and playtime
11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.	Crate time (nap/rest)
1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.	Potty break, playtime, and lunch
2:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.	Crate time (nap/rest)
4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.	Potty break, playtime, and dinner
6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.	Crate time (nap/rest)
8:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.	Final potty break Bedtime in crate

Increasing time in crate

Puppies and senior dogs should ideally never be left in their crate for more than three or four hours. Puppies need breaks based on their potty schedule. As your puppy grows, they’ll be able to stay in the crate for longer periods. For example, a six-month-old puppy can typically hold it for up to six hours, while younger puppies (10 to 12 weeks old) may only last about two hours.

If your puppy doesn’t cry or whine in their crate anymore and falls asleep easily, it’s a good sign they’re comfortable and potentially ready for longer durations.

Adult Dog Schedule

Crate training an adult dog requires a slightly different approach than training a puppy. According to Lane, puppies often spend their day in short segments of crate time, potty time, and playtime, while most adult dogs are able to wait longer between potty breaks.

It’s still important to teach your adult dog that their crate is a safe space. If an adult dog has never experienced a crate before or has a negative history with crates, their crate training timeline might look a little different as they learn to adjust. You might discover that the crate isn’t the best option for them and opt to use a playpen, pet gate, or dog room instead.

Here are some other quick tips for crate training an adult dog:

• Use positive reinforcement. You can encourage your dog to view their crate as a safe, comfortable space by rewarding them with treats, chews, or a favorite toy when they enter willingly.
• Incorporate crate games. Interactive crate games, such as tossing treats inside for them to find, can help build a positive association with crate time.
• Adjust the schedule to their needs. Unlike puppies, adult dogs typically need only three to four potty breaks per day. Their crate schedule should reflect their energy levels, activity needs, and overall comfort.

If you’re trying to crate train your adult dog, a daily schedule might look like this.

Time	Activity
7:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.	Wake up, breakfast, and playtime
9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.	Crate time (nap/rest)
12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.	Potty break, lunch, and playtime
2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.	Crate time (nap/rest)
5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.	Potty break, dinner, and playtime
7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.	Crate time (nap/rest)
9:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.	Final potty break and downtime before bed

How long can dogs be in a crate?

The amount of time an adult dog can stay in a crate depends on their age, temperament, and training. As a general rule, it’s safe to leave an adult dog in a crate for up to six hours, but they should never be crated for long periods without breaks for exercise and interaction. Overnight, an adult dog should be able to comfortably stay in their crate for up to eight hours.

How To Create Your Own Schedule

Every dog and household is different, so your dog’s crate schedule can fit your lifestyle while also meeting their needs. To start, identify your daily routine and schedule crate time around necessary activities like meals, walks, and work hours.

If your dog settles easily and remains relaxed in their crate, you’re probably on the right track with crate training. However, if they show signs of distress or excessive energy, adjust the schedule by increasing their playtime or shortening crate sessions as needed.

A lot of dog parents can’t be at home all day with their pup. For example, if you have a full-time job and work 9-5—and your dog isn’t fully crate trained yet—you might want to consider hiring a dog walker or pet sitter to let them out in the middle of the day.

A sample crate schedule for a dog parent who works 9-5 might look like this.

Time	Activity
7:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.	Wake up, potty break, breakfast
9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.	Crate time while pet parent is at work
12:00 p.m. – 12:30 p.m.	Midday potty break (dog walker or pet sitter)
12:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.	Crate time while pet parent is at work
5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.	Potty break, dinner, and playtime
9:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.	Final potty break and downtime before bed

Is it better to start crate training on the weekend vs. weekday?

Starting crate training on the weekend can be helpful because you might have more time to monitor your dog and ensure a smoother transition. However, if your weekday schedule allows you to take frequent breaks, you can start anytime.

If you run into difficulties, or if your dog seems to be extremely stressed when they’re in the crate, consider working with a trainer.

“Addressing behavior concerns and challenges early on always saves time, money, and energy in the long run,” adds Lane.