It’s time to check some emails, take a shower, or put the kids to bed. You lead your puppy into the crate, gently close the door, and immediately, your puppy starts barking and whining. This lasts for what feels like forever. You don’t want to open the crate and reward the behavior, but you want to be sure your puppy isn’t stressed out or in need of something. In this blog we will discuss how to stop your puppy from whining in the crate.
Why Does My Puppy Whine in the Crate?
Barking, whining, and crying in the crate, although potentially stress-inducing for the owner, is quite common in puppies and adolescent dogs. In most cases, a younger dog vocalizing in the crate is an attention-seeking behavior. It can be easily and even accidentally reinforced. However, there is a possibility in some puppies that this behavior could indicate the onset of separation anxiety. If you aren’t sure which behavior is occurring, we recommend reading our blog on how to identify the differences between attention-seeking vocalizing and separation anxiety.
Whining in Puppies 8-10 Weeks Old
If you just brought a new puppy home, some crying and whining in the crate is normal, especially within those first three days. We recommend creating some separation between you and your new puppy so they aren’t constantly following you around. You can do this by tethering your puppy away from you (but still within eyesight for safety) throughout the day and having designated crate time. This will increase the likelihood that your puppy will be comfortable in the future when they are left alone.
If the crying is happening at night, place the crate on or next to your bed. When your puppy cries, you can stick your fingers through the crate to help comfort them. Each night, increase the distance the crate is away from the bed until it is in the desired location.
Whining in Adolescent Dogs
By 10 weeks old, the crate should be away from the bed. Do not give your puppy any more attention for whining or barking. If your puppy is still barking at night and having accidents in the crate, read more in our housebreaking blog.
In puppies over 10 weeks old, you can reduce barking for attention with a combination of:
1) Ignoring the attention-barking
2) Building a positive association with the crate
Building a positive association with the crate
It’s important that your puppy develops a positive association with the crate. You can build a positive association by feeding meals and giving them stuffed kongs in the crate. For tips, you can check out our blog on “How to prepare Kong toys like a trainer”.
Set a schedule for food, water, and potty breaks
Sometimes, whining in a crate isn’t attention-seeking behavior, but because they need something. It’s important that you have a predictable schedule for food, water, and potty breaks. This will not only help with preventing whining but will also help with potty training.
The crate environment matters
When you begin crate training (around 8–10 weeks old), have the crate closeby. The crate will optimally be next to your bed at night or near you in the day. This will also allow you to provide treats and comfort to the puppy while they are in the crate. Once your puppy has adjusted to sleeping in the crate, it can be more helpful to have the crate in a separate room. A dark, quiet room is optimal for their naps and to limit disturbances.
We are here to help
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Our training is backed by over 20 years of experience and grounded in science. Co-founded by Kristyn Echterling-Savage, a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist (CAAB), and one of the nation’s top dog behavior experts. Our training programs are informed by her research in dog behavior modification and decades of hands-on experience.
At Beyond the Dog, we understand that lasting behavior change comes from more than just a few training tips; it requires a structured, straightforward approach that incorporates science-backed training methodology. That’s why we’ve developed a training program unlike anything else in the area, designed to maximize progress while making life easier for busy dog owners. We offer in-home programs and virtual programs, so training occurs where you actually need it. We’d love to help. Schedule a free consult today.”
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