Last Updated on December, 2024
Do your puppies whine a lot when they are in their crates? And are you probably thinking “How do I stop my dog from crying in the Crate?”
You could believe that after a few weeks of patient persuasion, your new puppy will become accustomed to its crate and warm up to it. Sometimes, though, that’s not the case.
You have reached the right article if you have a similar issue and need clarification about stopping your dog from weeping.
I’ll cover several important subjects, including how to stop your crying puppy’s tears and the reasons behind it.
Quick Summary
Ignoring the puppy when it is crying in the crate is the best option since approaching it reinforces the behavior.
Providing comfort rather than attention, taking it out for regular potty breaks, and crate training are effective methods to stop the puppy from crying.
Separation anxiety, improper crate training, teething, changes in set routines and number of household members, irregular potty schedule, your pup’s growth, wrong placement of the crate, and something unpleasant occurring while the dog was in a crate can all be reasons why a puppy is crying in the crate.
Table of Contents
What to Do When Puppy Cries in the Crate?
Crates are essential when fostering pups. It keeps your dog in good physical condition and safe from mishaps; therefore, crate training is a must.
A crate-trained dog would love to spend time in its crate and won’t cry. So, let’s consider the reasons behind puppy screaming and what to do to stop whining.
Ignore
I might sound ridiculous, but according to pro trainers, “Ignoring the crying puppy is your best option.” Whenever you approach your pup, that reinforces its behavior, and the excessive whining will never stop.
Instead, make a noise that indicates it has done a bad thing like ‘tsst.’ After five minutes, your puppy will calm down and fall asleep.
Buying the Right Crate Size
The crate should be big enough for your puppy to turn around in. If it is too small, your pup will feel uncomfortable spending time in it, which could explain why it is whining in the crate. To avoid your puppy crying in his crate, choose the right crate size.
Make Sure That the Crate is a Welcoming, Positive Place
Familiarize your puppy with a crate to reduce stress, allowing them to discover it’s a secure space. Avoid confinement in boxes. Enhance dog entertainment with chew toys and soft blankets; use Littermate perfume for relaxation and enjoyment.
Cover the Crate At Night
Covering your dog’s kennel with a blanket will assist in calming it down and comfort canines by reducing their visual input, which can minimize agitation and barking.
Dogs in a covered crate are less likely to react to movement outside windows or in other building areas.
A closed crate at night may signify bedtime, while an uncovered one may indicate that playing is safe.
Provide Comfort, Not Attention
Your puppy might feel uncomfortable inside the crate. Adjust its bedding and make your puppy comfortable.
Give a soft blanket for your puppy. Make sure the crate has enough space for it to toss and turn.
Pet parents should avoid giving attention but only comfort.
Take it Out for Potty Breaks
Your puppy might whine and call for your attention when it needs to relieve itself, so ensure to take it on a regular potty break.
Puppies cannot “hold it” as long as adult dogs; thus, pet parents must provide many chances for small puppies to go outside—even at night. Potty training your young puppies will help them stop crying in the crate.
Don’t Force it to Go Inside the Crate
Puppy whining in the crate occurs when energy exceeds rest; allow play, and when tired, return to crate. Putting interactive or dog-treat toys in your puppy’s crate will keep it amused and prevent boredom.
Provide your puppy with a safe, hard toy filled with little peanut butter or treats to keep them entertained and excited.
Crate Training
Crate training your puppy is an effective method to stop the puppy from crying. A puppy’s crate should be seen as a den, and it should know it is its safe space.
Puppy owners should be patient with their new puppies and train them. If they are experiencing problems, they can seek the services of a professional dog trainer.
Adult dogs can be challenging, but perseverance and patience can help them overcome their issues
Crate Placement
Crate placement plays a crucial role in a puppy’s feel and reaction to a crate.
The puppy may become isolated and whimper if the crate is placed in a distant room, garage, or basement. To create more protection, choose areas where the family spends the most time, such as the family room.
Consider buying two crates and keeping one in the bedroom to place your crated dog closer to you for the night so your dog can stay with you.
For the first few nights, having the crate in the same room is preferable so you can check on them and they can feel secure in your presence.
Plenty of Exercises
Playtime is crucial for your puppy’s well-being. Ensure your pup gets exercise and attention outside the crate, preparing it to nap when crated. Exercise your older puppy before entering the kennel, ideally for one hour.
Consider Using Exercise Pens
They function similarly to a pup’s crate containing your puppy. However, unlike a container, an exercise pen gives it much room to move about and play.
Most dog exercise enclosures comprise connecting panels that can be put up for use and then folded away for storage.
They come in various sizes to accommodate your puppy’s size. A playpen may be preferable for your young puppy for extended periods, such as more than two hours.
Why Does My Puppy Cry Inside the Crate?
Separation Anxiety
Puppies cry when their owners are not around or as canines adjust to being separated from one another.
This is a problem that can be treated through training and behavioral adjustment. You can make an appointment with a trainer or veterinary behaviorist.
Improper Crate Train
A well-trained dog would not be whining in its crate. Complaints may be because the crate training process was rushed. Your dog would have appreciated its kennel because it was tired or a soft toy was inside.
Your pup wasn’t given enough time to learn to be calm in its new crate. A puppy who is well-crated would love spending time in the crate.
Your Puppy Could Be Teething
Puppies get their adult teeth between the ages of three and six months. Your puppy will be in pain during this period and may moan and cry.
This can appear out of nowhere. However, if not appropriately addressed, the grumbling might continue for months.
Change in Set Routines
When a dog’s schedule is altered, it may experience stress symptoms.
Dogs are creatures of habit, and they rely on predictable happenings.
So if sleep, wake-up, play, eating, or relaxing times with you alter, your pup will most likely suffer stress. This can cause it to whine in the crate.
Change in the Number of Household Members
Your dog may have been anxious due to having more or fewer household members. A worried dog may express discomfort in various ways, including whining or whimpering in the dog crate.
Irregular Potty Schedule
Your dog may need to use the restroom. After playing, it may have drunk too much water and gone into the crate.
Alternatively, depending on its activity level and eating schedule, its potty routine may need to be changed before being crated.
Your Puppy Grows
The puppy doesn’t stay the same size. When it grows, the crate becomes outgrown, making it uncomfortable for your pup to toss and turn in the crate. This could be one reason why it is whining in the chest.
Wrong Placement of the Crate
The crate must have been placed in an area with too much noise, or the place may be too hot or cold, or another animal would have appeared in front of the crate. Any of these changes may lead to your fur baby crying.
Something scary or unpleasant would have happened when your dog was in the crate.
An Unpleasant Event May Have Occurred While the Dog Was in a Crate
A noise or any scary event would have caused an unsettling disturbance with your dog. This could vary from thunder and lightning to someone tapping on the crate door or even small things like the noise from heating pipes and air conditioners.
Any of these stress factors can cause your dog to whine as well.
Your Pup May Be Trying to Warn You
Someone new may be near the crate, and it may be attempting to warn you that it senses a threat.
Those, as mentioned earlier, may, however, only occasionally be the cause. Before you do anything else, you should take them to the veterinarian if they are whining excessively.
Treatment is necessary since your puppy can cry in the crate due to an uncomfortable wound or a medical issue.
Alternatives to Crate Training
Use an Exercise Pen for Your Puppy
An exercise pen is an excellent alternative to crate training for puppies, providing more space and protection.
This is a perfect choice to protect your puppy and prevent indoor accidents.
Remember that even if your puppy can play in the exercise pen, they still need to exercise and engage in active play with you each day to keep them socialized and mentally occupied.
Keep Your Puppy Tethered to You
Another choice is to use a waist leash or other hands-free device to keep your puppy attached to you. Tethering your puppy to you also enables you to use routine activities as training opportunities.
Mainly, when toilet training, keeping your puppy attached to you is an excellent alternative because it allows you to prevent accidents from occurring.
Use a Trailing Lead on Your Puppy
If your puppy misbehaves, a trailing lead might assist you in regaining control and rerouting them.
Risks include tangling around furniture or the possibility of stumbling.
If you want to use a trailing lead, pick a nylon lead without a handle, your pup should wear a harness rather than a neck collar, and keep a tight eye on your puppy to prevent mischief.
Pet Sitter
For busy pet owners, finding a pet sitter, dog daycare, or dog walker to watch over your puppy while you cannot directly supervise them is an easy option.
This method has the added benefit of exposing your puppy to new people and other canines and getting them out of the way!
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FAQs
Conclusion
Helping your puppy overcome crate-related crying can be a rewarding journey for both you and your furry companion.
By following the tips and techniques discussed in this article, you can create a positive and comfortable environment for your dog within the crate.
Remember that patience, consistency, and understanding are key when addressing the reasons behind your puppy’s cries.
Whether it’s separation anxiety, improper crate training, teething, or changes in routine, there are solutions and alternatives to explore.
Ultimately, with the right approach and care, you can transform the crate into a safe haven where your puppy feels secure and content.
So, stay committed to your pup’s well-being, and you’ll enjoy a peaceful and harmonious relationship with your canine companion. Happy training!
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