So you know you want to crate train your puppy or older dog, but not sure how to implement crate time throughout the day? We've put together a few example schedules to show you how we recommend managing your dog's space throughout the day to best set you up for success.

A few important things to consider no matter your daily scheduling or work situation -

• Crate time during the day is a good thing! Even if you're home all day, your dog should spend time resting in their crate throughout the day. This will help prevent separation anxiety, ensure your dog is getting adequate rest, and give you time to complete tasks where you can't provide constant supervision.
• Feeding your dog first thing when they wake up can lead to a dog who wakes up earlier and earlier demanding their breakfast. A simple way to address this is to build a little bit of time in between their wake up and their first meal.
• Set your dog up for success in the crate by planning for rest time to follow active time. They will be more likely to rest and sleep if you've spent some time working them mentally or physically immediately prior. 
• Depending on the age of your dog, don't forget that tethering, the x-pen, or place time are alternatives that you can use in place of SOME crate time. You should still always do some crate time during the day, but these options are good alternatives for switching up your dog's rest and decompression time. 

Example schedule for puppies for those who work from home / stay at home with kids:

• 7am: First potty of the day, go for a walk or have some morning play time, give age-appropriate house time (tether to you while you make breakfast, put in x-pen while getting children ready for school, give them a bully stick or benebone to chew near you, etc.)
• 8am: Use their breakfast for a training session, potty, practice place (tether for younger dogs who can't stay on place without a lot of help), potty again if needed
• 9am: Crate time while you work, do school drop off, etc.
• 11am: Optional potty / play break for young puppies, then back into the crate
• 1pm: Lunch break - potty, play or go for a short walk, give age-appropriate house time while you eat lunch, then back into the crate
• 3pm: Optional potty / play break for young puppies, then back into the crate
• 5pm: Fun time! Potty then use their dinner for a training session, go for a walk or outing to a new environment
• 6pm: Crate, place (tethered), or x-pen while you prepare and eat dinner
• 7pm: Potty, play or give closely monitored house time, practice handling drills
• 9pm: Potty and into the crate
• 11pm: Final potty if needed

Example schedule for older dogs for those who work from home / stay at home with kids:

• 7am: First potty of the day, go for a walk or have some morning play time, house time
• 8am: Use their breakfast for a training session, potty, practice place while eating breakfast or getting kids ready for school, potty again if needed
• 9am: Crate time while you work, do school drop off, etc.
• 11am: House time while you continue to work or get things done around the house
• 1pm: Lunch break - potty, play or go for a short walk, then back into the crate
• 3pm: House time while you continue to work or get things done around the house
• 5pm: Fun time! Potty then use their dinner for a training session, go for a walk or outing to a new environment
• 6pm: Crate or place while you prepare and eat dinner
• 7pm: Potty, play or house time, practice handling drills as needed
• 10pm: Potty and into the crate

Example schedule for puppies for those who work outside the home:

• 7am: First potty of the day, go for a walk or have some morning play time, give age-appropriate house time (tether to you while you make breakfast, put in x-pen while children get ready for school, etc.)
• 7:30 am: Use their breakfast for a training session, potty, give age-appropriate house time while you get ready (tether to you while you make breakfast, put in x-pen while getting children ready for school, give them a bully stick or benebone to chew near you, etc.), potty again 
• 8:30am: Crate time while you're at work
• 12:30pm: Lunch break - potty, play or go for a short walk, give age-appropriate house time while you eat lunch, then back into the crate
• 5:30pm: Fun time! Potty then use their dinner for a training session, go for a walk or outing to a new environment
• 6pm: Crate, place (tethered), or x-pen while you prepare and eat dinner
• 7pm: Potty, play or give closely monitored house time, practice handling drills
• 9pm: Potty and into the crate
• 11pm: Final potty if needed

Example schedule for older dogs for those who work outside the home:

• 7am: First potty of the day, go for a walk or have some morning play time
• 7:30am: Use their breakfast for a training session, potty, practice place while eating breakfast or getting kids ready for school, potty again
• 8:30am: Crate time while you're at work
• 12:30pm: Lunch break - potty, play or go for a short walk, then back into the crate
• 5:30pm: Fun time! Potty then use their dinner for a training session, go for a walk or outing to a new environment
• 6pm: Crate or place while you prepare and eat dinner
• 7pm: Potty, play or house time, practice handling drills as needed
• 10pm: Potty and into the crate

The great thing about these examples is that they're just that... examples! Everyone's schedule is going to look different and every dog's needs is going to be unique. You will be most successful if your dog's day includes balanced time for both activity (mental and physical) and rest. As long as you build your schedule around those concepts, you'll be well on your way to living the best life possible with you dog!