Puppy Will Not Stop Barking In Crate: How To Crate Train Your Dog To Stop Barking And Whining

Is your puppy keeping you awake at night?

Sleepless nights detract from the enjoyment of owning a new puppy. It’s happened to all of us!

Teaching your puppy to love their crate will take a bit, but you’ll be settled into a bedtime routine before you know it. Our non-coercive methods get you there faster and with less stress.

Adult dogs who have never been crate trained can also benefit from these techniques.

Why Should You Never Punish Your Dog for Barking in His Crate?

You’re bound to be irritated if your puppy is barking and whining in their crate at 3 a.m. It’s tempting to snap at your puppy or use punishing training methods, but this is never a good idea.

The issue with punishments is that they appear to provide a “quick fix.” Your puppy may calm down for a few minutes, but they will still be scared and alone, unable to express their feelings. This also means that if no one is home to punish the puppy, it may continue to bark.

You want your puppy to feel safe and secure enough that he or she will not bark. They’ll fall asleep within minutes of going inside for the night if the crate is a part of their nighttime routine. If they love their crate, they’ll happily nap instead of barking the entire time you’re home.

Your puppy will not be afraid to bark if they need to go potty, if someone breaks into your home, or if something else is wrong if you use force-free crate training. Your puppy will sleep soundly in their crate because they are safe and secure, and they have learned to trust you to be there for them when they need you most.

Putting Together a Puppy-Friendly Crate

Your puppy’s crate will serve as a safe haven for them.

It should be lined with a thick enough bed to prevent your puppy from sinking to the bottom. Make sure there are enough blankets for your puppy to burrow under. If you’re worried about chewing or accidents, you might want to use old towels.

Crates are useful tools for potty training because puppies rarely go potty in them if they are properly set up. The crate should be big enough for your puppy to stand, turn around, and stretch out in, but not so big that they use one side as a toilet. Most crates include dividers to divide the interior space into smaller sections, which you can adjust as your puppy grows.

To block out light and sound, use a crate cover or blanket. That way, even during the day, your puppy will be able to sleep peacefully inside.

During the day, crate training

An 8-week-old puppy will require up to 20 hours of sleep per day, divided into naps. As a result, you’ll have plenty of chances to have positive crappy experiences before bedtime.

When you’re at home, the crate should be open for the majority of the time. Inside, you can hide treats for your puppy to discover on their own.

You’ll notice that after about 30 minutes of playing with your puppy, they become very sleepy. Encourage your puppy to take naps in the crate on their own. If it’s comfortable enough, your puppy will seek it out even if it’s not inside.

During the day, you can practice locking your puppy in the crate for 15 to 30 minutes. While you’re in the room, perhaps watching TV or doing the dishes, do this.

Put a Kong or similar fillable food toy in the crate with your puppy. Puppies’ stomachs are sensitive, so avoid rich treats like peanut butter. You can fill it with canned or raw food for them, as well as soaked kibble.

The goal is to only crate your puppy for short periods of time to avoid separation anxiety. However, when you are not home, your puppy may need to be crated for a few hours at a time. This will be stressful for them at first, but the majority of dogs adjust quickly.

When You Go to Work, Crate Training

You’ll need to speed up your puppy’s crate training if you work a full-time job every day. There are a number of approaches that can be used to make things easier.

Make sure your puppy has had a chance to potty, eat, and drink water before you leave. To make your puppy sleepy, play with them and/or take them for a walk. Put your puppy to sleep. In a few weeks, your puppy’s sleeping schedule will match up with your work schedule.

Your puppy will need to go potty at least once every three hours when he or she is 8–10 weeks old. During an 8-hour workday, smaller puppies may require up to four potty breaks. To let your puppy out or take them for walks, you can hire a dog walker or pet sitter.

Healthy Houndz’ Puppy Potty Camp is ideal for people who work. Your puppy will not only be on the fast track to becoming accident-free, but they will also learn foundational cues and social skills while spending time with other dogs who will serve as role models for your puppy.

Put some music on to keep your dog from barking when you are not around. Music, particularly reggae and classical tunes, has been shown in studies to have a calming effect on dogs. The music can also help drown out outside sounds, which can keep your dog on the lookout.

The First Couple of Nights

It will be much easier to stick to a night-time routine if you establish a bedtime routine.

Make one last trip to the potty for your puppy. Play until they’re exhausted. Many puppies become agitated and nip at night. Before attempting to crate them, make sure they’ve run out of steam.

You can lull your puppy to sleep with a lavender-based essential oil scent. Because some essential oils are toxic to dogs, it’s best to use a pet-safe calming spray.

What Should You Do If Your Dog Starts Barking While In The Crate?

It’s natural to expect some barking and whining at first.

When your puppy starts crying, the first thing you should do is take them outside and let them go potty. Whether they “go” or not, they will need to wind down again once they return to the crate. Tuck them back in. Wait until those tiny eyes close.

If your puppy appears to be “empty,” they could be lonely. If possible, place the crate right next to your bed. If your dog can cuddle with an unwashed t-shirt that smells like you, they might relax.

You could also imitate the warmth and sounds of sleeping with your littermates. A ticking clock and a source of heat, such as a microwaved sock full of rice, can be beneficial.

Puppy barking can occur when they are bored. If your puppy is up late at night with puppy zoomies, he or she may require more exercise during the day. Overstimulated puppies are the most difficult to put to sleep; it’s better to spend a few extra minutes playing with them rather than allow them to bark for hours.

Puppy Parents Who Are Sleep Deprived

One of the most difficult aspects of owning a puppy is crate training. It will be well worth it if you persevere through the first few weeks. You don’t have to do it alone, either.