Aged Dog and Puppy awaiting Dog Crate Training Schedule

Dog Crate Training Schedule by Age: Puppies to Adult Dogs

Dog Crate Training Schedule by Age: Puppies to Adult Dogs

“How long is too long in the crate?”
“Am I using it enough? Too much?”
“Why is my puppy bouncing off the walls at 9pm?”

A lot of crate training stress comes down to not having a clear schedule. This guide gives you a simple dog crate training schedule by age so you can structure your day around realistic stretches of crate time, play, toilet breaks and sleep.

What a Good Crate Schedule Does

A good schedule:

  • Keeps crate time predictable, not random
  • Balances exercise, mental stimulation and rest
  • Makes toilet training easier
  • Helps anxious or high-energy dogs learn to switch off

Think of the crate as your dog’s bedroom. The schedule tells them when it’s “bedtime”, when it’s “school”, and when it’s “recess”.

Crate Training Schedule: 8–12 Week Old Puppies

At this age, puppies are tiny, chaotic and need lots of breaks.

Rough awake time:

  • 45–90 minutes awake between naps
  • Toilet trips: every 30–60 minutes when awake

Example Morning

  • 6:30 – Wake up, toilet
  • 6:40 – Breakfast (near or inside crate), short play
  • 7:10 – Toilet
  • 7:15 – Calm cuddle + into crate for nap (door closed)
  • 8:30 – Wake, toilet, short play / training

Your main crate goals:

  • Short, frequent crate sessions
  • Lots of positivity (treats, chews, calm energy)
  • Never crating for long stretches without a toilet break

For this age, think small chunks of crate time: 30–90 minutes, then out for toilet, play and training.

Crate Training Schedule: 3–6 Month Old Puppies

They’re bigger, bolder and starting to test boundaries.

Rough awake time:

  • 1.5–3 hours between naps
  • Toilet trips: every 60–90 minutes when awake (depending on progress)

Day Structure Example

  • Morning: walk or play → breakfast → short training → crate nap
  • Late morning: toilet → play / supervised free time → crate rest
  • Afternoon: enrichment in crate (chew, lick mat) → nap
  • Evening: walk or play → dinner → family time → crate overnight

Crate sessions can now stretch to 2–3 hours during the day (as long as toilet needs are met and they’re getting age-appropriate exercise and attention).

Crate Training Schedule: 6–12 Months (Teenage Dogs)

The “teenager” stage can test all your systems. The crate becomes your best friend here.

Rough awake time:

  • 3–4 hours between naps
  • Still need structured downtime (or they’ll run themselves into the ground)

Crate use at this stage:

  • After walks to encourage calm, not chaos
  • During work-from-home blocks
  • When guests or tradies are over
  • Overnight sleep

You might have:

  • 2–3 crate sessions during the day (1.5–3 hours each, depending on dog), plus overnight.

Crate Training Schedule: Adult Dogs

By adulthood, the crate should feel like a choice, not just a management tool.

Adult dogs often:

  • Nap in their crate even when the door is open
  • Use it as their “I’m done, please let me rest” signal
    • Are crated mainly for:
    • Overnight sleep
    • When you’re out
    • Cleaning / guests / noisy renovations

If well exercised and not left for extreme stretches, many adult dogs can comfortably do:

  • 3–4 hour daytime crate stints
  • Overnight sleep with an evening and morning toilet break

Signs You Need to Adjust the Schedule

You may be over-using or under-using the crate if:

  • Your dog comes out wired, not rested
  • They scream the second the door closes (too big a step change)
  • They avoid going in, even when the door is open
  • Or on the other end: they seek the crate constantly and hide there (may need more mental/physical enrichment outside).

If you see these, try:

  • Shorter crate sessions
  • More structured exercise and brain work
  • Resetting with extra-positive crate associations (meals, chews, enrichment)

Tips to Make Any Crate Schedule Work Better

  • Always toilet first before a longer crate stint
  • Use chews, lick mats and enrichment toys to help them settle
  • Keep your energy calm when crating and when letting them out
  • Avoid huge “party” energy at the crate door – it makes exits too exciting

Over time, the crate becomes just another normal part of the day: walk, eat, nap, repeat.

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