Are you starting to be grateful that a puppy needs so many breaks and we can only work for two to 5 minutes at a time? Allowing the a puppy to go and have a nap and reset sets them up really well When puppies sleep, they process the lessons, so allowing them to have these breaks in between these sessions is what allows that lesson to go deep in their memory banks and create muscle memory.
If we just toss a puppy into a crate and walk away, it can be terrifying. Especially to the thinking type of dogs. The pups, like mine, who have been taught to work their way out of situations. It is a favor to both us and our pups to take our time and have a pup that is comfortable and continues to practice good sleep patterns.
When pups are left to their own devices, they can practice unwanted behaviors like pacing or barking. A pup that is able to settle and be calm is a beautiful thing, for them and for us. It empties their coping cup, and produces a pup that can contiue to make better choices.
OK! Here we go, last step, Building Duration. Let your pup have a bit of a runabout outside. Make sure they've pottied. Bring them back in again and let them chill and have a nap.
At this stage I'm going to cheat, and add a link to Dr Karen Overall's Relaxation Protocol. This takes you step by step how to build duration. Instead of a bed, you'll be using the crate. (you can, obviously use the same info for a bed, that you could take to the workplace).
There really is no need for me type out the same schedule. I also believe we learn better when we hear it from a variety of sources.
There you have it, a crate trained puppy!