There are various ways to contain and restrain your puppy:

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1. Crate

2. Separate spaces (x-pen, baby gate, or separate room in the house)

3. Back tie (tethering puppy to something)

4. Drag line (a long leash without a loop on the end)

5. Leash

6. Umbilical cord training

7. In cars: back tie, harness seatbelt attachment, crate

 

Decision criteria

 

Before delving into each option, it is useful to consider certain criteria to guide their use, and an example.

 

1. Your puppy’s stress level for a given context

2. Your puppy’s preparedness and training for the environment

3. Your ability to supervise and ensure success

4. Your puppy’s maturity level

 

Consider these criteria when deciding how to manage your puppy's behavior in specific situations.

 

For example, when your puppy becomes stressed or overly excited by visitors at the front door, allowing free range might lead to behaviors like excessive fearfulness, barking, or hyperactivity if your puppy hasn't been trained how to engage in these interactions.

 

In such cases, two viable options exist: containing the puppy away from guests until they're more relaxed (either of them!), or using various training methods, possibly combined with containment and restraint tools, to help them acclimate to strangers and gain confidence. 

 

For immediate strategies before acquiring more skills training, if your puppy struggles to settle within 10 minutes around guests, it indicates that the environment might be too challenging for them. In such cases, it's advisable to place the puppy in a crate, x-pen, behind a baby gate, or in another room with a chew or food puzzle toy. We highly recommend treat dispensers like the Treat & Train for fearful or anxious dogs, despite being a bit expensive. However, be mindful when using remote feeders to avoid inadvertently reinforcing undesirable behavior for treats. Professional training is useful for learning these and other nuances.

 

Transitioning to obedience as your puppy matures

 

As your puppy grows and obedience becomes more reliable, we can more easily use obedience to demonstrate expected behavior. Instead of containing or restraining your puppy when someone approaches the door, you will be able to guide them into a sit-stay, down-stay, or on-place using their training for management.

 

As you navigate through this guide, classes, and private lessons, crating or restraining will be necessary during your puppy's first two years while it is establishing reliable skills. This is normal and expected, and even when they have some reliability in their commands, containment can be beneficial. Gradually, as your puppy exhibits good choices and behavior, you can introduce more freedom. However, during this phase, a drag line inside and outside is advisable for a time, providing a safety net if we need to stop our puppy from doing something.

 

CONTAIN AND RESTRAIN OPTIONS

 

1. Crate

Unless your puppy has had severe confinement trauma, crate training is an excellent tool for management and training. When properly used, it creates a natural den that promotes relaxation and feelings of safety.

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Crate training is one of the most effective tools in puppy training. We highly recommend it and provide detailed steps in a separate page dedicated to crate training!

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2. X-pen, baby gate, or separate room

X-pens and baby gates serve as invaluable tools to complement your training methods. Throughout this guide, we'll explore diverse approaches to utilizing them effectively. Your initial focus should involve getting your puppy comfortable with being alone within some form of containment.

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Gradually extend the time and distance from your puppy (detailed in the "Creating Alone Time" and “Crate Training” library pages). If your puppy is still in the process of potty training and direct supervision isn't possible, you should be in the room with them at all times unless they are in an appropriately sized crate immediately after a potty break, when you are confident they do not need to eliminate.

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3. Back tie

A back tie becomes practical indoors when you need to control your puppy's movements within a confined area. It can also be employed alongside effective training techniques to teach relaxation skills, a tool we delve deeper into in our training programs.​

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To use a back tie, secure a 4-6 foot leash from your puppy to a fixture inside the house to limit roaming and access to specific areas. Note: Avoid using the back tie outside as outdoor time requires active engagement with your puppy at all times.

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4. Drag line

Always have a light leash, known as a drag line, on your puppy from the moment you bring them home. It helps in reinforcing commands like 'leave it' or 'off,' and in recall training protocols. Use a 6ft drag line indoors and a 15-20ft drag line outdoors to maintain control and prevent confrontations, mistakes, and running away.

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Keeping the leash on, particularly when giving your puppy some freedom in the house, supports guiding your puppy toward the right decisions, ensuring they don't gain excessive freedom too soon and stopping them from reaching things before it is too late.

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Once your pup is more mature with good manners and training, the drag line won’t be needed.

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5. Leash

Utilize a 6-foot leash during guest visits to prevent jumping by stepping on it. Always reward your puppy for refraining from jumping during approaches.

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Similarly, on walks, use the leash to redirect your puppy when attempting to rush towards people or other dogs. Allowing such behavior can lead to increased frustration and encourage pulling in the future. Only allow interactions when you can effectively manage the situation and your puppy's excitement using intentional training techniques.

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6. Umbilical cord training

This involves tying your puppy's leash to yourself or stepping on it whenever it leaves your side. We highly recommend you use this method in your house for a few hours a day as it teaches important leash and life-style skills. However, you must also be sure to teach your puppy to be alone and independent. 

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7. In cars

Shape desired behavior in your puppy during car rides. Whenever you see behaviors you like in the car, be sure to reward them so you get more of them! To prevent bad behaviors and increase safety, use a crate or secure your puppy to a fastened seat belt with a safety harness or doggy car seat.

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Expose your puppy to various car experiences —from fun trips to routine checkups— so that your puppy doesn’t associate car rides with something scary or awesome. We don’t want our puppy to get wound up, crazy or over excited thinking they are always going somewhere fun, or worried and anxious thinking they only go to the vets for shots! A diversity of trips teaches calmer and more neutral behavior.

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To further manage your puppy's behavior while stationary, consider back tying in the car and practicing 'down stays’.

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In sum…

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Understanding the varied containment and restraint options for your puppy is crucial for their training and development. From crate training to leash management and using back ties or drag lines, each method plays a vital role in fostering good behavior and safety. Assessing your puppy's stress levels, preparedness, and your ability to supervise are key factors when choosing the right method. As your puppy matures, transitioning to obedience and gradually introducing more freedom becomes feasible. Remember, each method serves a specific purpose in nurturing a well-behaved and confident pup. Through patience, consistent training, and strategic use of these tools, you pave the way for a well-adjusted and happy companion.