Crate training for a puppy is quite a complicated process. Not many dogs sit quietly when closed. Often the puppy cries in the crate to express his displeasure.
What to do in such a situation? How long should the puppy cry in the crate and how to calm it down? I try to answer these questions as detailed as possible.
Contents
Is it normal for a puppy to cry in the crate?
It is normal for puppies to cry in the crate the first night and generally during crate training, which usually takes about 2 weeks. After all, he’s not used to the crate yet, and he may be sad. To get attention, the dog makes noises.
If you do crate training properly and follow the tips from this article, your puppy will gradually feel normal and stop crying.
If your dog cries nonstop in the crate and tries to get out, even hurting himself, it’s better to contact a behavioral veterinarian. Maybe your dog has a health problem or anxiety. I also recommend this if the dog whines in the crate, while before everything was normal.
Should I let my puppy cry in the crate?
The answer may vary depending on the situation. To get your puppy used to the crate, don’t let him out right away if he starts crying or whining. Try to wait until he calms down before letting him out. This will teach your puppy that he’ll only be let out when he’s well behaved.
However, there are 4 conditions under which you can let your puppy cry in his crate:
- Make sure that you have created the most comfortable environment for your puppy and that you are doing his training correctly. You must meet your pet’s basic needs for food, water and toilet.
- You are willing to be patient. If you’re in a bad mood and don’t feel ready to endure the whining, it’s best not to start. You then run the risk of snapping and punishing the dog. But you can’t punish a puppy for crying in its crate. Remember that it’s a child who is only expressing its feelings and isn’t trying to annoy you.
- Don’t lock the puppy in the crate for longer than the allotted time. This time is different for puppies of different ages.
- If you see that the animal not only expresses its displeasure, but also reacts vociferously and with other signs of stress, you don’t need to torture it. In such a situation, you need to let it out and calm it down.
How long should a puppy cry in a crate? It is impossible to answer this question with any precision. Everything is individual. So keep an eye on your pet's well-being and follow the advice above.
How to help a puppy crying in the crate?
Now let’s move directly to the ways to solve the problem. Of course, you can’t get rid of it completely at first, but you can try to improve the situation.
Here are 7 things you can do when your puppy cries in the crate.
#1 – Make the crate interesting for your puppy
Buy special toys that the puppy will only get in the crate. Puppies definitely need something to chew on as they are teething. You can try toys that are filled with treats. then your puppy will have to tinker for a long time to get it all out and eat it.
#2 – Create a comfortable environment
Put down a comfortable bed or even a special calming bed. If the puppy gets cold, you can use a heating pad or a self-warming bed.
#3 – Put the crate somewhere else
If the crate is in an isolated, dark room, away from the rest of the family, it can make the puppy’s condition worse. Read my article on where to put the dog crate in the house.
Perhaps rearranging the crate can help solve the problem. For example, if a puppy cries in the crate at night, you should try putting it next to your bed.
#4 – Take time with your puppy before putting him in the crate
If you take your furbaby for a walk and tire him out with exercise, he’ll want to lay in the crate and rest rather than cry. Another thing is if your puppy is constantly neglected and not getting enough exercise. Then, of course, he’ll get bored.
To know if your dog is active enough, you can use a special device like the FitBark 2. You will be able to set goals for each day and achieve them. The device also provides other useful health information and works as a GPS tracker.
#5 – Try the crate cover
Some dogs feel more relaxed when they are in an enclosed space. However, the crate should still be open on one side. You can try covering it with a blanket, and if that works, you can buy a special crate cover later.
#6 – Turn on the radio or white noise
Practice shows that this technique calms the dogs and they don’t feel so lonely. If the dog cries in the crate during the day, you can turn on the radio, and at night white noise will do.
#7 – Use the calming aids
In addition to the above methods, you can use a variety of soothing remedies, for example, a calming diffuser or a collar.
Last update on 2024-10-17 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Last update on 2024-10-17 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Praise and reward your pup for good behavior. When the puppy is quiet, let him out and give him a treat.
Mistakes that can make your puppy cry in the crate
Your puppy might cry in the crate because you’re not doing crate training right. Read the list of common mistakes and if it turns out you did it wrong, start over:
- Start crate training too early. Puppies need at least a few weeks to get used to their new home and bond with you. Only then can you start training.
- Going too fast. You need to accustom your puppy to the crate gradually, starting with a few minutes. Putting your dog in a crate for an extended period of time from the first days is stressful for him.
- Choose a too-small crate. Maybe your puppy needs more space so he doesn’t feel too isolated. Your puppy should have enough room to stand and play freely.
- Use the crate for punishment. This can make the puppy not want to sit in the crate and cry. The crate should be a cozy place for your puppy.
There are also trivial things that dog owners sometimes forget. Think about it: is your puppy whining because he’s hungry or thirsty? Or maybe he needs to pee?
One more rule: don’t scold your dog or talk to him when he’s in the crate. This might cheer him up and he’ll intentionally keep howling to get attention.
A good tip is to keep a record of your training sessions: when did you put the puppy in the crate and under what circumstances? What was he doing before that? What was his behavior like? This way you can find out the cause of your animal's behavior.
Watch this video for more information:
What can you do if your puppy won’t stop crying in the crate?
Often dogs calm down quickly if you don’t give them any attention. But for some, this method doesn’t work. They are willing to whine for hours. If your puppy won’t stop crying in the crate, you can try a different approach.
Let your puppy out and walk outside (just to check if he wants to go to the bathroom). Don’t look at the puppy, don’t talk to him, and don’t do anything that might interest him. Wait a few minutes and then put him back in the crate. Repeat the process if necessary.
This way you show your furbaby that nothing interesting will happen when he comes out of his crate.
If none of these tips help, you need to find out why your puppy is crying? What is it missing? Read the whole article carefully and analyze what you can do about it.
Maybe you should also think about giving up the crate. After all, you can use alternative methods. For example, you can buy an exercise pen or dog gate. These things will give your dog more space.
I wish you success in raising your puppy. And please let me know if my advice helped you.
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Sources:
https://www.petsradar.com/advice/how-to-stop-a-puppy-crying-in-crate
https://www.k9ofmine.com/stop-dog-from-crying-in-crate/
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