How Long Can I Crate My Dog?

Adult dogs can generally handle six to eight hours in a crate, assuming they’ve had plenty of exercise, mental stimulation, and a chance to pee beforehand. But even if your dog can physically stay crated for eight hours, this doesn’t mean that they should. 

Dogs are social and need to be around people, so it’s not ideal to have them kenneled for long periods. Being alone in a crate all day, every day, isn’t just boring — it can actually affect their mental well-being. In fact, this is one of the reasons why shelters can be so stressful for dogs.

Also, the length of time a dog can tolerate being in a crate is shorter for older dogs and puppies. (Crates are a great tool while house-training a dog, because the environment taps into their instinct to spend time in a den.) So, dogs can view crates as safe, comfortable spaces — but only through proper crate training. 

How long should an adult dog be crated? 

The maximum time recommended by dog professionals is between four and six hours — or up to eight hours, but with a long break at the midpoint. 

Here are a few crate time length recommendations.

• Pat Miller, a certified professional dog trainer and behavior consultant, recommends that an adult dog not stay in a crate for longer than six to eight hours.

• SPCA of Texas asks adopters to avoid leaving an adult dog in a crate for more than four or five hours.

• The ASPCA recommends a maximum of four to six hours, or up to eight hours with a break in the middle.

• Longmont Humane emphasizes five hours per day within the crate, max.

• Paws and Dumb Friends League suggests no more than four to five hours of crate time during the day.

Related article

How to Crate Train an Older Dog

Whether for medical or practical reasons, it is never too late to teach your dog how to comfortably chill in a crate.

What about crating a dog overnight?

Most adult dogs are comfortable staying in a crate for about six to eight hours overnight. However, puppies, older dogs, and those with medical needs usually appreciate some breaks during the night for bathroom visits and to stay comfortable.

But if you’re crating your dog while you’re at work all day, and then crating them again all night, this is too much. If you feel you must crate the dog while you’re at work, allow them out once you get home and overnight. 

Crating too much is a quality-of-life issue for your dog, and their physical and emotional well-being must be considered when deciding how often to crate.

How long can a puppy be in a crate?

For puppies, the most common recommendation for crate training is one hour of crate time for each month of age. However, the most important factors are the dog’s individual bladder capacity and their comfort level in the crate without experiencing excessive stress. Ask your veterinarian and/or consult with a trainer for the best timeframes for your individual dog.

Alternatives to crating a dog

Crate training is a helpful training tool, but it isn’t a magic bullet and isn’t suitable for all dogs. There are alternatives to keep your dog contained all day. 

Here are a few ideas.

• Spare room: Give your dog more space by dog-proofing a room and providing them with access to roam around with toys and other enrichment items.

• Let them loose: Well-mannered and anxiety-free dogs don’t need to be restricted throughout the day. Go slow, give your dog a little more freedom each time, and see how they do.

• Doggy daycare: Take your dog to doggy daycare during the day so they are supervised, but not confined to a crate.

• Dog walkers: Hire a dog walker, or have a friend or family member come over to take your dog out for a midday potty break.

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Is It Cruel to Crate a Dog at Night?

Discover when nighttime crating makes sense, when it doesn’t, and how to make it a positive experience.

What dogs are not suitable for crates?

While crate training is a helpful tool for many dogs, it isn’t always the right solution. For some dogs, being confined in a crate can be a stressful experience, regardless of how long they are in it.

For dogs suffering from anxiety, being left in a crate may actually exacerbate their stress. While less common, certain dogs may experience confinement stress and panic inside a crate under any circumstances. 

High-energy dogs and working breeds might not tolerate being in a crate for an extended period, either. These very intelligent, energetic dogs can become extremely frustrated when trapped, particularly if they haven’t received adequate exercise and mental stimulation beforehand.

Bottom line: How long is too long in a crate?

When introducing the crate to any dog, it’s important to do so slowly and with plenty of positive reinforcement to ensure you promote a safe, comfortable experience. Although there is no hard-and-fast rule about how long you can crate your dog, the simplest answer is: no more than is necessary. Let your dog be part of the family as much as possible.

References

Miller, Pat. “Crate Training Made Easy - Whole Dog Journal.” Whole Dog Journal, 4 Apr. 2001, www.whole-dog-journal.com/training/crate-training-made-easy/. Accessed 22 Sept. 2025.

‌“Crate Training Your Dog.” Spca.org/Pettips, SPCA Texas, spca.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Crate-Training-Your-Dog.pdf.

‌“How to Crate Train a Puppy | ASPCA® Pet Health.” Www.aspcapetinsurance.com, www.aspcapetinsurance.com/resources/how-to-crate-train-a-puppy/.

‌PAWS. “How to Crate Train Your Dog.” PAWS, www.paws.org/resources/how-to-crate-train-your-dog/.

‌“Dog Crates – Longmont Humane Society.” Longmonthumane.org, 2025, www.longmonthumane.org/resources/dog-care-tips/dog-crates/. Accessed 22 Sept. 2025.