11. Set Up Your Home For A Puppy (Crate, Sleep Area & Toilet Training)

You've got the equipment. Now you need to set up your home properly.

Get this wrong and you'll be dealing with toilet training issues, sleep problems, and a stressed puppy for months.

The Crate Setup (And The Bedroom Mistake)

Of all the points in this section, crate placement is the most debated.

Here's what you need to know:

The crate should be placed near family activity. You must never use the crate as a punishment. Common places include the living room or bedroom. Using a crate is not cruel in any way. Putting a blanket over the crate creates a den-like feel.

Our suggestion: Don't put the crate in your bedroom.

You're creating a recipe for disaster and potentially lengthening the whining process. It's also a logistical pain.

Instead, put the crate in a communal space. Have one family member sleep there at night for a few days. This helps your puppy understand there's nothing to worry about.

Crate setup checklist:

• Location: quiet but not isolated, near family activity
• Introduction: make it positive, never punishment
• Setup: crate pad, water bowl, safe toy
• Cover: drape a blanket over three sides for a den feel

The Puppy Zone (Your Safety Net)

The best way to keep your puppy safe is a controlled environment.

During those first few weeks, your puppy won't be allowed outside much (vaccinations pending). You want a space where you know they're safe. Where you can focus on playing, training, and spending time together.

Different owners do this differently. Some use baby gates. Others use pens or fences.

Top tips for the puppy zone:

• Use baby gates to create a safe space
• Easy-clean flooring
• Include crate, toys, water
• Remove hazards
• Give access to toilet area

Sleeping Arrangements And The Crying

Your puppy needs a dedicated place to sleep. We strongly suggest this is in their crate because they will have accidents.

The biggest topic here is crying. You need to distinguish between two types:

Attention seeking - They want you. They're testing boundaries.

Needs the toilet or genuine distress - They actually need something.

Not sure how to tell the difference or what to do about crying? Our community has video examples of both types and experienced owners who can help you identify which is which. This is one of the most common questions in our weekly Q&As.

What To Do For Attention-Seeking Crying

This is hard. But it's crucial you get it right.

Here's what to do:

1. Go into the room where the crate is and turn on the light. Do not acknowledge your puppy.
2. Spend 5 minutes doing something in the room, then turn the light off and leave.
3. At no point should you interact with your puppy.

You may need to be in the same room as your puppy for the first few nights. But we don't recommend them being in your bedroom.

If someone can sleep on a sofa in the area where they're sleeping, that's ideal.

Don't let your puppy sleep in your bed. It's a hard habit to break.

When they cry, don't give them a cuddle (this is always really hard). Make sure you're keeping on top of toilet breaks as these will be frequent.

Toilet Training Setup

Mark out the toilet area clearly. Use some pieces of wood or similar.

Always use this specific spot. Give your puppy the opportunity, then come back in if they don't go. Don't just wait around.

Clean up any accidents with enzymatic cleaner. Regular cleaner doesn't work.

Set an alarm every couple of hours. Give them the opportunity to toilet. If they're attention seeking, don't give them attention. You're just pushing the problem further down the line.

Feeding Area Setup

Feeding is critical to your puppy's development. It helps them understand key behaviours and can stop issues like food aggression in the future.

This is especially important if you have small children who will be interacting with your puppy.

Feeding area guidelines:

• Away from high traffic
• Easy-clean floor
• Bowls that won't slide
• Quiet during mealtimes

Everyone must be involved in feeding and training (except very small children) from day one.

Play Area Considerations

Indoor: Clear space for safe play.

Outdoor: Secure, supervised area.

Rotate toys to maintain interest. Keep the play area separate from the toilet area.

The Consistency Rule

Puppy ownership is not about intensity. It's about consistency.

Whichever plan you can do consistently is the best plan.

It's far better to have a simple plan you can stick to rather than a complex one that lasts eight days.

Get Ongoing Support For Your Puppy Journey

Setting up your home properly is crucial. Having support as you troubleshoot crying, toilet training, and sleep issues makes all the difference.

That's why we created our free Skool community - to give you continuous support every step of the way.

Inside the community, you'll get:

• Weekly live Q&A sessions where you can ask about YOUR specific setup challenges
• Complete puppy courses including a dedicated toilet training course
• A supportive community of other owners dealing with the same crying and toilet training struggles
• Video demonstrations of proper crate training and setup
• Troubleshooting help when your puppy won't settle or keeps having accidents
• Updated resources including daily routine templates and setup guides

Best part? It's completely free. No subscription. No catch. Just dog owners helping dog owners.

Join The Toe Beans Co community today and get the ongoing support you need to set up your home properly and survive those first crucial weeks.