Yes, you can if you wish, and if it makes your life easier. A puppy pad is an absorbent dog bed layer you can simply remove and toss into the wash if she soils her crate overnight. Keep in mind that if her crate is sized properly, she's less likely to soil it.
Even though you can theoretically get away without a crate pad for everyday comfort, your dog will absolutely need a place to sleep if they are going to be in there for a while. Even if you don't lock them in the cage overnight, they might still opt to sleep in it if you get a kennel pad that is comfy enough for them.
Most pups can go through the night without needing to toilet by around 13-14 weeks, so remove the newspaper or puppy pad then. Once your puppy can go through the night without needing to toilet, you can start to move the crate (in stages if necessary) to its permanent home.
As they get older and potty trained, they will be able to go longer between potty breaks. Puppies must go a lot, especially when they are young. Some pups can even go up to four times a day! It is normal for a puppy to pee every 15 minutes to 30 minutes as they get older and can move around more freely.
Try to ignore the whining. If your dog is just testing you, he'll probably stop whining soon. Yelling at him or pounding on the crate will only make things worse. If the whining continues after you've ignored him for several minutes, use the phrase he associates with going outside to eliminate.
I'd recommend starting with VetBed, keeping an eye on them to make sure they aren't chewing their bedding and if they do, initially leave the floor of the crate bare when they're unsupervised until you've trained them to not chew bedding and concentrate their chewing on toys. Then re-introduce the VetBed.
The crate should always have a comfortable bed and the door left open when you're home so your dog can enter it when they need a safe space. This is also an indication that your dog needs some quiet time.
Place the crate inside a set up puppy pen with a puppy pad down and have him sleep in there with the crate door open. That way if he needs to go potty, he can get up and potty outside of his crate. This will at least help to prevent him from becoming a dog that thinks it's ok to potty in his crate.
In some cases you may be able to crate a dog for 10-12 hours overnight. Adult and senior dogs tend to sleep rather long at night and will be able to hold their bladder for that long. Especially more laid-back breed such as Pugs or Saint Bernards might not even want to get up before sleeping that long!
But in all honesty, there's no 'right time' for a puppy to go to sleep, as long as it's the same every night. While this may be the case, do note that your puppy will need, on average, around 8-10 hours of sleep per night.
Because dogs don't like to sleep near their own excrement, crate training can help you housebreak your puppy much faster than training your pup without a crate. Crate training keeps your puppy safe while you're away. Crate training your new pup also helps keep them out of trouble while you're away from home.
Here's a quick rundown of why wee-wee pads are a bad idea. While they might seem like a convenient solution, they'll only end up sabotaging your potty-training efforts: They teach your dog to pee in your house.
Is It Safe to Leave Food and Water Bowls in My Puppy's Crate? It may be safe, but leaving water in the crate isn't advisable for a puppy. She'll already need outside breaks during the night, and leaving water in the crate with her will only disrupt her schedule and increase her need to pee.
Unless your dog is rarely inside their cage, they would be much happier if they had a bed inside so they don't have to lie on hard plastic. Most dogs like to sleep in their crates, and this will keep them from wanting to get out the second you put them in. It's especially crucial for older dogs with achy joints.
As den animals, dogs tend to enjoy enclosed spaces like crates. That means your best friend may naturally prefer the protective atmosphere the crate provides. That sense of security can also be good for dogs who get anxious, especially during a stressful event like a thunderstorm or the Fourth of July.
Yes, you should cover your dog's crate with a blanket if your dog is feeling cold, suffers from anxiety, is noise sensitive or is having trouble falling asleep due to lights in the house.
Leaving toys in your puppy's crate is an excellent idea; it keeps your puppy busy and occupied. You must be mindful of what toys you leave in it, especially if your dog is a serious chewer. Apart from toys, you can also have bedding, blankets, and food in your crate.
Beyond causing frustration and distress for you and your puppy, repeated accidents will slow the housetraining process significantly. Though water in the crate isn't advisable, never limit your puppy's access to water as a housetraining tool.
We recommend at least having them in your bedroom with you in the beginning in either a dog bed or crate. Having your puppy in your bedroom with you will make them feel more reassured. Then, you can gradually move them to where you would like them to sleep permanently.
You'll really doubt yourself. The second night should already be better. Most pups will cry for around half the time. By the third night it should be just a few hours, and an average pup is quiet for the fourth.
Ignore Your Puppy's Crate Crying for at Least a Few Hours
So while you want your puppy to initially settle and not be let out immediately upon whining, it is important that you do respond if your puppy wakes a couple hours later.
Ignore The Behavior
It is important to allow a puppy crying in their crate to self-soothe a bit to ensure they do not whine and cry every time they are confined to receive your attention. If you respond too much to a crying puppy in their crate, they will learn to train you!
If you want or need to use potty pads: Place them in one location of the house. This location should stay static over time and not move around the house. If possible, the potty pad should be on wood/tile and not on carpet.