Staci Lemke 00:00:00 I get this question often from puppy parents. When can I start giving my puppy more freedom in the house? Or when were my puppy be reliable enough to be left alone without constant supervision? It reminds me of raising kids and wondering when they’ll be ready for more responsibility. It can be a stressful decision for sure. Well, you can relax because in today’s episode of the Well-mannered Mutt podcast, I’m here to answer that age old question of when and how to start introducing more freedom into your puppy’s life. I’ll walk you through a step by step plan for identifying when your puppy is ready for more freedom, and how you can safely expand their world. Welcome to The Well-Mannered Mutt Podcast. I’m Staci Lemke, certified professional dog trainer, registered veterinary technician, and proud owner of Manners For Mutts Dog Training. With over 20 years of experience, I’ve helped countless dog owners just like you build stronger, happier relationships with their furry friends. From private lessons to online courses, I’m here to help make life with your dog easier and more rewarding.
Staci Lemke 00:01:07 I believe in training that is kind, fun, and scientifically proven. Positive reinforcement is at the core of everything I do, because it’s the most effective way to teach your dog while strengthening your bond. Whether you’re tackling basic training, solving behavior challenges, or just looking for tips to keep your pup thriving, you’re in the right place. So let’s dive into today’s episode and take the first step toward having the well-mannered mutt you’ve always dreamed of. Now, I think we can all agree that crates are a really awesome tool for raising a puppy. They help with potty training, developing good chewing habits, and keeping our puppies and our house safe and intact. But most puppy parents eventually want to transition from using a crate or a pen to allowing their puppy free roam in the house, and this is totally doable. Every puppy I have ever raised was eventually able to be left alone in the house without incident. The problem is that most puppy parents want to do this way before the puppy is responsible enough to have this privilege.
Staci Lemke 00:02:12 Too much freedom too soon is one of the big mistakes I see puppy parents make. I’m here to keep you from making that mistake. But before we dive into the how, I’m going to say that I love a crate trained dog. I can guarantee you that at some point in your puppy’s life, they will need to be created. What if you ever have to board your puppy or travel with your puppy? If your puppy gets sick and has to stay at the vet hospital, if you ever take your puppy to the groomer, or God forbid, you ever have to evacuate a dangerous situation with your puppy, the ability to relax and feel comfortable in a crate is a valuable skill. So even if you don’t plan on using a crate for the life of your pup, your dog should still be crate trained, and some people will choose to use a crate for the life of the dog. And that’s fine. It’s totally up to you. Transitioning your puppy from a crate to free access in the house should be done gradually to ensure that they make good choices and stay safe.
Staci Lemke 00:03:11 So let me walk you through how we can do it. Step one ensure that your puppy is ready. Your puppy should be fully potty trained, meaning no accidents in the house for several months. They should no longer chew on furniture, cords, or other inappropriate items and have learned to choose their own toys and shoes when needed. They should be able to settle calmly in a crate when left alone for short periods, and they should consistently respond to basic cues like leave it and come. Step two. Expand freedom slowly. Start with a puppy proofed area, so you want to start by introducing your puppy to a new space, by taking them there on leash and allowing them to explore. Then you’re going to use baby gates or playpens to give your puppy access to a small, safe space, such as a kitchen or a living room. And you can keep their crate in this space so they can choose to rest in it if they want to. You’re going to supervise them and set them up for success.
Staci Lemke 00:04:10 At first, you’re only going to allow more freedom when you are home to supervise, and you’re going to leave a short house line on your puppy in case you need to catch them. You’re going to keep chew toys and interactive puzzles available to encourage good habits. You’ll want to test short periods alone. Start by leaving your puppy unsupervised in the puppy proof area for about 5 to 10 minutes. If they remain calm and do not engage in destructive behaviors or potty in the space, gradually increase the time that they’re in there. Always make sure that your puppy has had some exercise and has gone potty before, leaving them unsupervised in their confinement area. Gradually expand access after a week or two of success. Expand access to one additional room at a time. Always supervise it first before leaving them alone in the new space, and you can set up a camera so they can see what your puppy is doing while they’re away, and that can help to make your decision easier. Is your puppy nervous or calm when left alone? And let’s discuss nighttime freedom.
Staci Lemke 00:05:12 This is usually the last confinement to go because obviously when you’re sleeping at night, you can’t supervise your puppy. You want to begin with naps outside the crate in the desired sleeping area. Only allow full overnight freedom once they consistently settle in the desired sleeping area. My dogs sleep on a dog bed, next to my bed, or on the tile in the bathroom next to the bedroom. And step three we are going to watch for setbacks. If your puppy has accidents, chews on furniture, or gets into things, they shouldn’t, simply go back to more supervision and confinement before trying again. Be patient. There’s no rush. It can take weeks or months to fully transition. The age at which a puppy can be trusted to roam freely in the house depends on their training, temperament, and maturity. Most puppies aren’t ready for full freedom until they’re about 12 months old. Yep, you heard me a full year. Although some may take longer, I don’t even start considering giving my puppies more freedom until they’re at least nine months old.
Staci Lemke 00:06:14 And they have proven to me that they can be responsible left in the house. If you have any doubts, it’s better to on the side of caution and wait. It’s much easier to grant privileges than it is to take them away. Nobody wants to earn freedom and then have it taken away again. Do you dream of off leash trips to the park or the beach with your dog? But you don’t dare let your dog off leash because you never know if they’ll come back. You’d love to go hiking and exploring with your dog off leash, but whenever you’ve tried this in the past, your dog runs off after wildlife. If you’ve ever felt embarrassed or frustrated when your dog joyfully runs away from you instead of coming when called, then you’re going to want to check out our new online course. Wait, come back rapid fire recall. Teaching your dog to come when called is one of the most important lessons in dog training. A reliable recall allows your dog off leash freedom and you peace of mind that they’ll come back when you call.
Staci Lemke 00:07:14 A reliable recall can even save your dog’s life. If you’re looking to improve your dog’s recall, then you need this course. Discover the tips, tricks, and games used by professionals to ensure your dog comes racing back to you every time you call, simply go to manors for mutts. Com backslash recall and sign up today. Here are some general age guidelines for more freedom in the House. 8 to 16 weeks. They are not ready yet. They need to be crate trained with limited freedom in a small puppy proofed area such as a pen, and supervision is required. 4 to 6 months, usually not ready yet. You can start expanding access one room at a time, but still supervised and potty training should be getting more reliable. At this age 6 to 12 months, they may be ready. Gradually increase freedom when home and test short periods alone, 12 to 18 months may be ready, usually ready. Many dogs can handle full freedom if they’ve proven they won’t have accidents or engage in destructive behaviors.
Staci Lemke 00:08:21 And remember, this is just a general guideline. Every puppy is an individual. So how do you know when it’s time to start experimenting with more freedom in the house? There are a few factors to consider. Potty training accidents should be completely eliminated before increasing freedom chewing behavior. Puppies go through a teething phase as they lose puppy teeth and get adult teeth between the ages of four and six months. If they still chew furniture or inappropriate items, they need more confinement and supervision and the energy level of your puppy. High energy breeds may need more structured activities and training before earning full freedom. High energy breeds are more prone to getting into trouble when left alone due to their need for activity and mental stimulation, which potentially leads to destructive behaviors. Allowing your puppy more freedom is an exciting milestone, but it’s important to take it one step at a time by setting them up for success. With gradual transitions, proper supervision, and patience, you can help them learn to make good choices and stay safe in your home.
Staci Lemke 00:09:23 Every puppy is different, so trust the process and go at your pup’s pace. Remember, as I said before, it’s much easier to give freedom than to take it away. So when in doubt, take it slow with consistency, management and positive reinforcement. Your puppy will eventually earn the privilege of full freedom, and you’ll have the peace of mind knowing that they’re ready for it. And to walk you through this process. I have added a handout for you in the show notes. It’s my step by step plan for giving your puppy more freedom. Thank you for joining me today and taking the time to help your dog become a more well-mannered mutt. If you’ve got questions about today’s episode or an idea for a topic you’d love to hear about, let’s connect. You can find me on Facebook and Instagram @mannersformutts. Also, be sure to visit manors for mutts, comm for links, resources and more. If this episode helped you and your pup, I’d be thrilled if you left a review on Apple Podcasts.
Staci Lemke 00:10:25 Your feedback helps me create even more content to support you and your furry friend. Talk to you next time.
