How Long Can Your Dog Stay in a Pet Carrier?

Although you may think it’s cruel to put your dog in a kennel, crate training is an ideal solution for new puppies who aren’t well-trained or are hyperactive. In a perfect world, all pet owners could stay home with their furry friends and take them anywhere at any time. Unfortunately, this isn’t the case, and it’s more than okay to use a pet carrier when you can’t be with your pup. Explore how long your dog can stay in a pet carrier to ensure best training practices.

Benefits of Pet Carriers

While you may not initially see the benefits of putting your new friend in a crate, there are a few solid reasons to utilize this training tool. Whether your pet is a puppy or an adult dog, they can benefit from crate time; consider how to use pet carriers to your advantage.

Comfort and Security

Being in a crate can actually give your dog a sense of comfort and security because of the smaller space. Although they can’t get out, they will feel secure knowing they’re in a safe space. Many dogs are unable to sleep well unless they’re in their carrier because they don’t feel secure otherwise. If your pup has anxiety, spending time in a crate may help calm them down and ease their stress.

Potty Training

Because dogs are less likely to soil where they sleep, using a crate for potty training is extremely effective. Many puppies aren’t trained well enough to roam the house without having accidents when you’re not home. With that in mind, using a pet carrier is an easy way to prevent those accidents.

Crate Time Based on Age

Crate time is acceptable for dogs of almost any age. However, the maximum amount of time they can safely spend in a carrier depends on their age.

• 8–10 weeks: 30–60 minutes
• 11–14 weeks: 1–3 hours
• 15–16 weeks: 3–4 hours
• 17 weeks and older: 4–5 hours
• Adult: 8 hours

While there’s nothing wrong with leaving your pet at home, you can take them along in the car with a middle console dog seat. Many dogs love riding in the car; this way, you can spend even more time together.

Tips for Crate Training

Getting used to a crate can be tough for any dog, especially young puppies. Therefore, you should utilize these helpful tips to make the crate training process smoother.

• Put the crate in your dog’s favorite place.
• Put a treat, bone, or toy inside the crate to make it more inviting.
• Line the bottom of the crate with a soft mat or blanket.
• Leave the door open for them to go in and out as they get used to it.
• Never use the crate as a punishment.

After learning how long your dog can stay in a pet carrier, you will be able train them properly. As they get older, you can leave them unattended in their crate much longer and without issue. Your pup may not like the cage now, but adapting to it as soon as possible is crucial for mental development.