How to stop a dog from barking in their crate is a solution most pet parents search for at some point in their lives – especially if theyve recently added a new puppy to the family. While dogs bring us so much joy and laughter, crate time can bring some emotional anguish for both them and us.
There are few things more stressful or frustrating than a dog howling and whining in their crate all night – even shelling out for one of the best dog crates cant guarantee it wont happen. Training a dog is a process that requires patience and consistency, and crate training may be the most difficult hurdle of them all.
If youve decided a crate is the way to go when youre out of the house or when its time for bed, learning how to crate train a dog requires some seriously hard work. It can take some time for your dog to adjust to being left alone or kept out of the bed with you, but with patience and perseverance, the barking will eventually stop. Trust us.
Many pet parents inadvertently drag out the crate training process by accidentally rewarding their dogs bad behavior. If their howling results in you coming to comfort them, or eventually letting them out, this will be an unfortunate setback in their trying. Despite the noise and stress it can cause, its vital that you dont give your pup any attention as this will teach them that when they bark, youll show up.
Most dogs bark in their crates because of separation anxiety. They are pack animals, after all, and dont like being separated from the pack. A certain degree of anxiety in the beginning is to be expected, but over time youll find this lessens and then stops altogether as they learn that their crate isnt a punishment and that you always return.
Below we talk you through a variety of tips and tricks that will stop your dog from barking in their crate, but first, let’s take a look at some other common reasons that could be causing this behavior in the first place.
Why You Should NEVER Punish Your Dog For Barking In The Crate
When it’s 3AM and your puppy is barking and whining in their crate, you’re bound to be a bit annoyed. It’s tempting to yell at your puppy or turn to aversive training methods, but that’s always a bad idea.
The problem with punishments is that they deceptively create a “quick fix”. Your puppy might quiet down for a few minutes – but they’ll still feel scared and alone, yet unable to express that. This also means the puppy may continue to bark when nobody is home to punish them.
You want your puppy to feel safe and secure so they don’t even want to bark. When the crate is a part of their nighttime routine, they’ll start to fall asleep within minutes of going inside for the night. If they love their crate, they’ll happily nap when you’re not home, instead of barking the whole time.
Force-free crate training means your puppy will not be afraid to bark if they have to go potty, if someone breaks into your home, or if there’s otherwise something wrong. Your puppy will sleep peacefully in their crate because they feel safe and secure, and they have learned that they can trust you to be there when they really need you.
1 Comfort Your Puppy When He’s Quiet
This one that worked for me and Stetson – I was a wreck and I thought Stetson would never get used to his crate.
The only way I was able to get him to sleep was to talk to him for 5-10 minutes, telling him what a “good boy” he was when he wasn’t crying (if he did cry I would keep silent until he stopped). To try and quiet him down I’d either say “quiet” or “Shhh”.
Should I Ignore Puppy Barking In Crate At Night?
ANSWER: Yes and No, it depends on your puppy. One thing we’ve learned over the years is that puppies will bark for different reasons while they’re in the crate. In general, if our puppy is barking we’ll ignore him for at least the first 10-15 minutes. Most will calm down after that time. As soon as our puppy is calm we give him praise.
However, as I said it depends on your puppy. You do not want to ignore your puppy if:
If you’re having problems with your puppy barking in his crate then leave us a comment or even better contact a local certified professional dog trainer.
FAQ
How do I get my puppy to stop barking in his crate?
- Get The Scent Of Your Puppy’s Littermates. …
- Take Your Puppy Out For A Potty Break. …
- Feed Your Puppy Early. …
- Play With Your Puppy Before Bedtime. …
- Cover Your Wire Crate With A Bedsheet. …
- Put Your Crate Next To Your Bed. …
- Sleep On The Floor Next To The Crate. …
- Feed Your Puppy’s Meals In The Crate.
Should I ignore dog barking in crate?