Crate Training Schedules

Please note: All dogs are different. For example, some puppies 12 weeks old will need to be treated as if they were 10 weeks old. Some dogs may never comfortably stay in their crates longer than 4 hours. Be flexible. These schedules are meant to be guidelines only.

Sample Schedule for Puppies 9-11 Weeks Old
60 minutes max crate time
At this age, it is probably more feasible to keep the puppy in an exercise pen enclosure than to have a team of people visiting it every hour.

6-6:15am: First potty trip
6:15-6:30am: Puppy breakfast
6:45-7am: Second potty trip
7-8:45am: Play time
8:45-9am: Third potty trip
9-10am: Crate time
10-10:15am: Neighbor takes puppy for a potty break
10:15-11:15am: Crate time
11:15-11:45: Dog walker takes puppy for a potty break and a bit of play
11:45-12:45pm: Crate time
12:45-1pm: Owner comes home from work and takes puppy for a potty break
1-2pm: Crate time
2-2:15pm: Neighbor takes puppy for a potty break
2:15-3:15pm: Crate time
3:15-3:30pm: One of the children takes puppy for a potty break
3:30-4:30pm: Child feeds the puppy (second feeding) and takes it for walk and a bit of play
4:30-5:30pm: Crate time
5:30-7:30pm: Puppy is out playing with the family. Goes for potty breaks as necessary.
7:30pm: Puppy is fed for the 3rd time.
7:30-8pm: Potty break
8-11pm: Puppy is out playing with the family
11-11:15pm: Last potty trip. Puppy sleeps in an exercise area so everyone gets to sleep through the night.

Sample Schedule for Puppies 11-16 Weeks Old
2 hours max crate time

6-6:15am: First potty trip
6:15-6:30am: Puppy breakfast
6:45-7am: Second potty trip
7-8:45am: Play time
8:45-9am: Third potty trip
9-11am: Crate time
11-11:15am: Neighbor takes puppy for a potty break
11:15-1:15pm: Crate time
1:15-12pm: Dog walker takes puppy for a potty break and a bit of play
12-2pm: Crate time
2-2:15pm: Neighbor takes puppy for a potty break
2:15-3:45pm: Crate time
3:45-4pm: One of the children takes puppy for a potty break
4-4:15pm: Child feeds the puppy (second feeding)
4:15-7:30pm: Child takes puppy for a walk and afterwards puppy is out playing with the family. Goes for potty breaks as necessary.
7:30pm: Puppy is fed for the 3rd time.
7:45-8pm: Potty break
8-11pm: Puppy is out playing with the family
11-11:15pm: Last potty trip. Puppy sleeps in an exercise area.

Sample Schedule for Puppies 4-6 Months Old
3 hours max crate time

6-6:15am: First potty trip
6:15-6:30am: Puppy breakfast
6:45-7:00am: Second potty trip
7-8:45am: Play time
8:45-9am: Third potty trip
9am-12pm: Crate time
12-12:15pm: Neighbor takes puppy for a potty break
12:15-3:45pm: Crate time
3:45-4:45pm: One of the children takes puppy for a potty break and playtime
4:45-5pm: Child feeds the puppy (second feeding)
5-11pm: Child takes puppy for a walk and afterwards puppy is out playing with the family. Goes for potty breaks as necessary throughout the evening.
11-11:15pm: Last potty trip. Puppy still sleeps in an exercise pen.

Sample Schedule for Puppies 6-12 Months Old and Best for Grown Dogs
4 hours max crate time

6-6:15am: First potty trip
6:15-6:30am: Puppy breakfast
6:45-7:00am: Second potty trip
7am-7:45am: Play time
7:45-8am: Third potty trip; owner goes to work
8am-12pm: Crate time
12-12:45pm: Dog walker takes puppy for a potty break and a 45 minute walk
12:45-3:45pm: Crate time
3:45-4:45pm: One of the children takes puppy for a potty break and a bit of play
4:45-5pm: Child feeds the puppy (second feeding)
5-11pm: Child takes puppy for a walk and afterwards puppy is out playing with the family. Goes for potty breaks as necessary throughout the evening.
11-11:15pm: Last potty trip. Puppy still sleeps in an exercise area.

Sample Schedule for Adult, Crate Trained Dogs
6 hours max crate time; combine with at least one day a week at dog daycare, and 1-2 dog walker visits to break up the long 6 hour confinement for at least 1-2 days. Dogs crated this long will need extra long walks.

6-6:15am: First potty trip
6:15-6:30am: breakfast
6:45-7am: Second potty trip
7am-7:45am: Play time
7:45-9am: Third potty trip; owner goes to work
9am-3pm: Crate time
3-4:15pm: One of the children takes dog for a potty break and an extended walk
4:15-4:30pm: Child feeds the dog (second feeding)
4:30-11:30pm: Child takes dog for a walk and afterwards dog is out playing with the family. Goes for potty breaks as necessary throughout the evening.
11:45pm-12am: Last potty trip. Dog sleeps 6 hours in their crate

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