Here’s what to do if your puppy is crying in the crate

A room crate is certainly not a prison for the dog! In fact, it is one of the best tools to create a quiet, undisturbed and safe environment for your pet from a very young age, if used correctly.

The first few days of bringing home a new puppy can be exciting but also stressful for both the new owners and the little one. The most important thing during this period is to get the puppy used to its kennel. If trained correctly, the kennel will give the new family member independence and a safe place to retreat to when he needs rest or quiet. Here’s how to get your dog used to the crate.

Is it normal for a dog to cry in the crate?

The earliest a puppy can be placed with its owner is 8 weeks of age, but it is even better if it can stay with its mother and litter mates until 12 weeks of age. Whenever the separation happens, it will mean that he will lose his mother and siblings overnight, which can be frightening for him. Puppies that have not been accustomed to the indoor puppy by their breeder may signal stress by crying, whining, barking or howling when left alone. This is perfectly normal behaviour for a puppy that has just been separated from its family.

Why can a puppy cry?

• If the dog has never been in a crate before, it may cry because it is in an unfamiliar place. They may be frightened or frustrated by the restraint.
• If you’ve just brought him home and put him in a kennel overnight, he may feel lonely and miss his litter mates.
• If the owner leaves home and the puppy stays in the kennel, he may also cry because he is lonely.
• If the family is at home and the puppy hears the noises but cannot join in, he may be frustrated and may whine to be let out.
• If he has been in the cage for too long, he may whine because he needs to go to the toilet.

How can you stop your puppy from crying?

1.) Try to ignore it at first

Once you’ve put your puppy in the cage and left, you can try to ignore the first cries. This could be a contact call, just to check that you are nearby. If it quiets down within a few minutes, you don’t need to go back.

However, if the crying continues for more than two minutes, you can give a short verbal response, such as a soothing word. You can repeat this step two or three times.

2) Soothing and comforting

If the crying intensifies and continues for longer, go back to the room. Many owners fear that going back will reinforce the crying, but if your puppy is experiencing real stress, it is important to reassure him. Just as with children, comforting a fearful, stressed dog and reassuring him that nothing will happen is not reinforcing a bad habit.

Traumatic experiences at a young age can have a long-term impact on a dog’s ability to tolerate stress. But before you go in, you can wait a very short time or distract him with a gentle knock. If that doesn’t work either, make sure you go in and comfort your little family member.

3) Reduce the amount of time your puppy spends alone

However, it is important to teach a dog how to be alone, as he will have many more moments of solitude in his life. It’s healthy for him, and for the owner, if he can handle it.

So if your puppy still won’t stop crying, you need to gradually get him used to being alone. Kennel training should be slow and gradual so that the puppy does not feel that he has been suddenly abandoned.

4) Attach positive experiences to the crate

Make sure the dog associates the crate with pleasant experiences. Place it in a room where the family spends most of their time. Ideally, you should have a kennel in the living room during the day – it doesn’t have to be locked up, but you can go there whenever you want. And if it’s comfortable for you, there should be another one in the bedroom where he can sleep.

Put a soft bed and toys in the kennel, and you can spray it with a pheromone spray for dogs to make the environment even more calming. Many people also like to cover it with a blanket to keep it dark, which can also be calming. It’s also a good idea to reward your dog with a treat or two when you first put him in the cage. Most importantly, the kennel should never be used as a punishment! It should always be a safe and calm place for your dog.

5.) Give your dog enough toilet breaks

Puppies often cry when they have to pee or poop. Since they can only hold their need for a short period of time, it’s important to give them enough opportunity to relieve themselves. A simple formula can help: add one to the puppy’s age in months and you get the number of hours he can hold his urges. For example, a 2-month-old puppy will last up to 3 hours, a 4-month-old up to 5 hours.

6) Make sure your pet gets enough exercise

If your puppy is sufficiently tired, it will fall asleep or rest in the kennel more easily. A longer, active playtime can help him settle down more quickly.

However, if the puppy has already formed negative associations with the kennel, he may protest and cry, or scratch and bite the kennel, even though he is tired. In this case it may be worth seeking the help of a trainer or dog expert.

Should you worry if your dog cries in the crate?

If the puppy is left all alone in the cage without being gradually habituated, it is normal for it to cry. However, if the crying is a sign of intense fear or extreme anxiety and you are not seeing any improvement as you get used to the cage, it is worth seeking professional help.