The First Few Nights
After a busy first day, it's finally bedtime. Take the dog out to go potty one last time. Praise him, and give a treat when he performs. Then, put him in his crate. If it's located in your bedroom, he'll feel more comfortable knowing that you're nearby. Having the crate in the bedroom also allows you to take him out first thing in the morning (or in the middle of the night if necessary) so he doesn't have an accident.
Don't take your puppy out of the crate to comfort him if he cries or whines. That simply teaches him that making noise gets him out of there. Instead, say “Shh” or “Quiet” so he knows you're there.
Some puppies settle down and sleep through the night right away. If you get one of those, give yourself a pat on the back. More likely, your pup will cry or whine the first few nights. Grit your teeth and ignore it. He'll fall asleep eventually.
