Don’t let their soulful eyes deceive you, puppies are a destructive force of nature. Left unattended they soil carpets and destroy furniture.
So how can you keep your puppy from terrorizing the landscape when you’re at work? The answer exists in the form of a steel crate.

Crate training taps into your dog’s natural instincts as a den animal, according to the Humane Society of the United States.
A wild dog’s den is his home, a place to sleep, hide from danger, and raise a family,” the association said. “The crate becomes your dog’s den, an ideal spot to snooze or take refuge during a thunderstorm.”
Crate training can simultaneously housebreak the animal, as dogs don’t like to use the bathroom where they sleep. A dog secured in a crate doesn’t have the ability to roam around the house at-will, ensuring your shoes, purses and coffee tables aren’t used for teething.
It’s crucial the dog sees the crate as a happy and safe place to be. The crate isn’t a punishment spot or a place they’re to be left and neglected.
Use treats, toys and positive reinforcement to coax the dog into the crate. Experts advise against forcing the dog into the crate.
As for choosing a crate, the Humane Society suggests getting one just large enough for the animal to stand up and turn around in. If the crate is too large, simply insert a piece of cardboard or fashion a barrier inside. The dog may soil a far corner of the crate if it’s too large.
Below is some information from the Humane Society on the benefits of crate training:
-The crate should always be associated with positive things. The dog should want to go into the crate.

-Take your time. Persistence pays off. Don’t force the animal to adapt immediately. Keep up the positive reinforcement and they will catch on.

-Size matters: Don’t get a crate that’s too big. The dog should be able to stand up and comfortably turn around in the crate. A larger crate allows a dog to eliminate in a corner.