Crate Training Puppies At Night - The Basics

Crate training puppies at night is essential if you are going to have a puppy who doesn't go to the bathroom on the floor or chew up all of your shoes while your asleep (or not as the case may be). When used properly the crate is an invaluable tool for establishing good habits in your puppies and also for preventing bad behaviour before they arise.
Crate training your dog provides them with a profound sense of security. Dogs naturally live in dens. Dens protect them from danger, keep them warm and dry, and help them to keep their young safe and protected.
The crate size for your puppy or dog should allow them to stand up fully and complete a full rotation, if over-sized it won't feel comfortable for him; dogs prefer cozy dens in the wild.
Where to put your crate is the next important decision. Dogs are social creatures and will want to be where the family spends their time. Some dog owners like to keep two crates, one for their main living space and one in their bedrooms.
Crate training puppies at night is an important but gradual process here are a few pointers to help minimise disruption to your sleep:

• Your dog needs to get used to the crate day and night. You should not be closing the door overnight until about 11/12 weeks of age as the dog may become very distressed as it is unable to control bowel or bladder movements until this age.
• To minimise mess in the house, locate the crate in the kitchen (which often has a surface easier to clean) and place tissue paper at the opposite side of the room. Hopefully this is the area your dog will use as the toilet.