Rangel Family Goldens

Crate Training Program

Our crate training program is designed to give your puppy a confident, structured start before joining your family. Every puppy receives age‑appropriate crate introduction, and families may choose from several training levels depending on how long their puppy stays with us and how much structure they want established before going home.

All puppies begin full day‑and‑night crate training at 5½–6 weeks, and the training options below simply reflect how long your puppy continues in that same routine before going home. 

Crate training is one of the most valuable tools for helping puppies adjust smoothly to their new environment. It supports potty training, builds predictable routines, and gives your puppy a familiar, comforting space to settle into during their transition home.

Why We Include Crate Training

Crate training has become one of the most appreciated parts of our program. Families consistently share how much easier the first nights and early weeks are when their puppy has already been introduced to a routine and a familiar crate.

Crate training helps your puppy develop:

• Early potty‑training habits

• Predictable daytime and nighttime routines

• Confidence in a safe, cozy space

• Better sleep patterns

• Reduced overstimulation by giving puppies structured rest periods throughout the day

• A calmer, smoother transition to their new home thanks to a familiar, predictable schedule

Our calm, low‑stimulation environment supports healthy development and helps puppies learn to settle, rest, and self‑regulate — skills that make the transition home significantly easier for families.

Crate Training Timeline: What Your Puppy Learns Week by Week

This timeline shows the developmental progression your puppy experiences before going home, beginning with early sensory exposure and ending with full day‑and‑night crate routines depending on the training option you choose.

3.5 -4 Weeks  Early Sensory & Potty Foundations

• Transition from whelping pool to playpen

• Begin short, assisted outdoor potty trips

• Introduce soft toys, textures, and sensory items

• Early social interaction with littermates
  
  

4–5 Weeks — Playpen Life & Open‑Door Crate Exposure

• Playpen full‑time

• Outdoor potty training multiple times daily

• Crates introduced with doors open only

• Exposure to household sounds and gentle handling
   

5.5 Weeks — Short Crate Sessions (10–20 Minutes)

• One short crate session per day

• Ideal timing: after dinner, before final potty

• Crates lined up together and covered

• Return to playpen afterward
   

5.5–6 Weeks — Late Transition & Confidence Building

• Continued playpen use for group time

• More consistent outdoor potty training

• Crates used only for short, positive sessions

• Preparing for full crate‑based routines at 6 weeks
  
  

6–8 Weeks — Full Daily Crate Routine

Your puppies follow a structured, developmentally appropriate daily schedule that includes:

• 3:00 AM potty

• 5:00 AM potty

• 6:00–6:30 AM breakfast in groups

• 6:30 AM crated settling

• 7:45 AM–2:15 PM long crate nap while you’re away

• Afternoon potty, water, play, and training

• Evening crate naps 10:00 PM final potty

• 10:15 PM bedtime
   

8–10 Weeks — Day & Night Crate Training

(For puppies staying longer)

• Consistent daytime and nighttime routine

• Longer nighttime sleep

• Stronger potty‑training habits

• Increased independence and self‑regulation

10–13 Weeks — Extended Training

• Full day‑and‑night crate structure

• Once developmentally ready (typically after 10 weeks), positive‑reinforcement crate entry begins

• Longer sleep stretches

• More mature behavior and improved self‑soothing

• Sit” before meals introduced once puppies reach 10–11 weeks 

• Kibble used to lead into the crate and outdoors for smooth, positive transitions

• Positive‑reinforcement crate entry begins only after 10 weeks 

14–16 Weeks — Advanced Crate Skills

• Fully structured day and night routine

• Positive crate entry with treats

• Strong potty‑training habits

• Introduce Leash

Ideal for families with work schedules or those wanting a head start on manners and routine

Crate Training Program Options

Choice 1: Day & Night Crate Training (Stay Until ~10 Weeks)

Our most popular and most effective option.

Includes:

• Training begins around 6 weeks of age

• A consistent daytime and nighttime routine

• Longer nighttime sleep

• Early potty‑training habits

• Puppy stays with us until approximately 10 weeks old

You continue the routine at home after pickup.

 Choice 2: Extended Day & Night Training (Stay Until 11–13 Weeks)

Ideal for families who want a more mature, more structured puppy at pickup.

Includes:

• Full day‑and‑night care and training

• Puppy stays with us until 11–13 weeks of age

• Once developmentally ready (typically after 10 weeks), we begin teaching positive‑reinforcement crate entry using treats

• Stronger potty‑training habits and longer sleep stretches

You continue training at home, and we recommend enrolling in a positive‑reinforcement puppy class to build on their progress.

 Choice 3: Advanced Crate Training (Stay Until 16 Weeks and Older)

Our most comprehensive option for families wanting the smoothest transition possible.

Includes:

• Full day‑and‑night care

• Age‑appropriate crate training

• Positive‑reinforcement crate entry once the puppy is developmentally ready

• More mature behavior, longer sleep, and fewer potty breaks

• Ideal for families with work schedules or those wanting a head start on manners and routine

You continue training at home, and training classes are recommended to maintain progress.

Extended‑Stay Option (17–18 Weeks)

For families wanting additional maturity, steadier temperaments, or early service‑dog‑prospect qualities, extended stay is available beyond 16 weeks. Puppies going home at 17–18 weeks benefit from solid potty training, deeply established routines, and significantly stronger bladder control.

Crate Requirement

Every puppy goes home with the crate they have been training in. A 24" crate is included, and families may choose to upgrade to a larger size depending on their training option. Pricing for crate upgrades is based on the option you select in your application. Families consistently report easier transitions, smoother first nights, and faster adjustment when their puppy goes home with the same crate they’ve been using here. 

What to Expect at Home

Your puppy will come home with:

• A familiar crate

• A predictable routine

• Early potty‑training habits

• Confidence in settling and sleeping independently

• A calmer, more regulated temperament from structured rest and reduced overstimulation

You will continue the routine at home, and we are always available to guide you through the transition.

Need Help Choosing a Training Level?

We’re happy to help you select the option that best fits your family’s schedule, goals, and lifestyle.