How often should a dog be in the crate?

It sure helps! Crate help with housetraining because puppies will instinctively not "go" in their crates, because it is their "den". Just make sure that is is big enough that he/she can stand up and turn around, but not so big that they can section it off into a "potty area" and a "sleeping area". Also, puppies in crates cannot chew things that they shouldn't or swallow dangerous or valuable items. Make sure you do not make them live in their crate all the time. As a general rule, puppies can stay in their crates for as many hours as months they are old, plus one. A 10 week old puppy is 2 1/2 months old, so s/he can stay in the crate for 3 1/2 hours without needing a potty break. When they reach 6 months old, they can hold it up to 8 hours. This is how long they CAN stay in their crates, if needed, that does not mean that they SHOULD. For house training, put puppy in the crate for as long as it has been determined they can stay in the crate. Take them out, let them potty, and play for 1/2 to 1 hour. put them in the crate for that amount of time twice a day at least, plus whenever you cannot supervise them. Then if they need to stay in the crate for longer periods of time, such as in your absence or while traveling, they will be used to it. It is not cruelty. Make sure that the crate is a pleasant place to be by always providing a toy in the crate that is not given at any other time.