If you’ve ever attempted to crate-train a puppy, you know it’s not easy. Puppy crate whining is one of the most frustrating and heart-breaking aspects of crate training. You are taking the appropriate measures to reduce stress and frustration for you and your puppy. Training your puppy to feel at ease and home in his crate is required.
Why does a puppy cry in crates?
While you may be concerned that something is wrong with your puppy, crying in the crate is normal behavior for puppies. Crying in the crate is a sign of separation anxiety, as your dog must become accustomed to being away from you and the rest of the family. It is especially difficult for puppies, which may be sleeping alone for the first time after being separated from their mother and siblings.
According to veterinarians, loneliness, fear, boredom, missing their littermates, missing you, and using the bathroom are all common reasons for crying. It is a natural response to being in a new environment (opens in a new tab).
Dogs unfamiliar with crates may whimper or cry since they are not used to being confined. When puppies are recently separated from their littermates, they are frequently confused and lonely and may vocalize.
It is essential to remember that puppies and dogs are highly sociable creatures who detest being apart from their pack mates, including you. Rest assured, however, that with a few weeks of training, patience, and persistence, your puppy will quickly learn that you always return, which will help them settle down.
How to stop a puppy from whining in crate?
Even with the most effective training techniques, your puppy may initially cry or whine during crate training. However, constancy is the most critical factor during this procedure.
Start training early to prevent your puppy from developing poor habits or behaviors that will be difficult to correct as it ages, and continue training with patience. Here are a few ways to assist you in training your puppy to remain calm in its box.
Select the proper size box
Although it may seem simple, you’d be amazed at how much sobbing occurs when pet owners choose a kennel that is too small. Even though they are small, your puppy needs sufficient space to stand, turn around, and play with their toys (but not too big that they can use one end as a personal bathroom).
Many of the best dog cages include dividers that permit you to increase the crate’s size as your puppy develops. This can be a terrific way to save money in the long run by preventing you from having to buy a new cage as your dog grows while also allowing you to create an area that is both snug and spacious.
Contemplate the site
Location is everything regarding your puppy’s house, like your home or apartment. It would help if you didn’t place your puppy’s crate too far from where you and other family members spend most of your time. Therefore, avoid the garage, the basement, and other cold-feeling areas, as they may make your pet feel incredibly alone.
Choose a location where you spend most of your time, such as the living room, as this will help your puppy feel safer. Consider purchasing two crates and placing one near the foot of your bed at night so that your puppy remains in the same room as you. In addition to making your pet feel less lonely, you’ll also be able to hear when they need to go to the bathroom.
Get your puppy comfy
One of the most effective strategies to help your puppy become accustomed to and eventually appreciate their kennel is to make it as cozy as possible. You want it to be snug, inviting, and warm, so your dog feels protected and secure. Begin by purchasing one of the most incredible dog beds and covering it with a plush blanket. Donut-shaped alternatives are fantastic because they have higher sides than other designs, and because they are frequently self-warming, they can resemble the warmth of your dog’s mother, providing them with a great deal of comfort.
Consider adding a few puppy toys to the bed you’ve picked so that your pet can have something to play with. Chew toys can be pretty helpful as they will assist in calming their painful gums while their adult teeth erupt, and soft toys are also a terrific addition as they are great for snuggling. Ensure that the toy is safe for children to play with alone.
Ensure your puppy views their crate as a happy and comfortable place to relax. In light of this, you should never use the crate as a kind of punishment; you want every experience to be positive so that your puppy links nice things with being in the crate.
Provide ample exercise before crate time
A weary puppy is undoubtedly sleepy; thus, playtime is one of the most effective tools you have in your arsenal for getting your puppy to stop screaming in their crate! The more energy your puppy expands before entering its crate, the more likely it will immediately go asleep.
Once it is time for them to be created, provide them with a toy that can be stuffed with sweets so that they have something to occupy themselves with until they fall asleep. We adore the Kong puppy toy, which can be smeared with peanut butter or dog paste and is made of rubber, making it an excellent teething toy.
Account for bathroom breaks
Just like a child, puppies can’t “hold it” nearly as long as adult people and dogs can, and crying is often a clue they need to go to the bathroom, so you’ll need to schedule frequent bathroom breaks.
How frequently should you wake up during the night to let your dog go to the bathroom? Well, a friendly approach to thinking about things is adding one to your puppy’s age. This means that a three-month-old puppy can wait approximately four hours before urinating again, requiring you to let them out twice in eight hours.
However, there is no such thing as too many breaks when you are learning how to housebreak a puppy, so feel free to take them outside more often until you know how often they need to go.
Ignore their complaining.
Nothing is more distressing than being forced to stand in a different room and listen to your pet howl incessantly. It’s challenging as a pet parent to resist the impulse to comfort your stressed-out furry companion, but you must do so since doing so can only make things worse in the long term.
According to veterinary professionals, you should refrain from giving your puppy any attention until it is calm. The objective is to teach the puppy that quiet, calm behavior leads to a reward. The puppy may be released after he awakens from his nap or displays a few minutes of calm behavior.
What should you do if your puppy continues to cry?
Sometimes, no amount of reading and application of advice and tactics will be sufficient to stop your puppy from weeping. If you’re having a difficult time stopping this behavior, there are a few alternative options you might try.
Cover the crate with a blanket before proceeding. Despite its apparent simplicity, this may be somewhat effective. A blanket will help darken the crate’s interior, which is quite pleasant for pups.
There are now a variety of puppy sleep remedies on the market that might assist your youngster in relaxing. And remember, the essential thing is that your puppy knows you are in authority – if you don’t respond to every whimper, they will quickly learn that whining is not an effective way to get what they want.
Conclusion
How to stop a puppy from whining in crate? Whether a puppy is created or not, pet parents should be on the watch for excessive whining or other strange behavior. If whining is new behavior for a dog that previously tolerated being crated well, or if you observe other concerning signs, consult your veterinarian.
Pet owners should always be vigilant and seek assistance if a puppy’s crying persists. Puppy whining within the crate is to be anticipated. It is crucial to contact a trainer or veterinary behaviorist if a puppy is reactive the entire time he is created, regardless of the period, or if he injures himself in an attempt to escape.
