Crate training a puppy is a controversial subject. Some people think that crate training is nothing short of dog imprisonment. In contrast, other people insist that a crate offers a cozy and safe den-like retreat for a dog to enjoy.
The debate for the pros and cons of using a crate rages on, in part because of how people use them. Unfortunately, crates have got a bad name because they are used as a management tool in place of adequate training.
The result is that dogs often get left in a locked crate for long periods of time. Alone, bored, and without the ability to relieve themselves, dogs get frustrated and distressed. So, can we have a crate in which our dog enjoys spending time? Can we use it as a management tool without causing distress to our dogs?
The answer is that any tool used in the right way is useful, and any tool used in the wrong way can cause harm. So, let’s look at the benefits and potential problems of crate training puppies at night.
The benefits of crate training
Crate training used in the right way can provide several advantages for both you and your dog. Not only does a crate offer a safe and cozy place for your dog to relax, but it also provides you with an efficient way of managing an as yet untrained puppy.
So, why use a crate?
- A crate is a great way to help housetrain a puppy
- Your dog has a safe and relaxing place to retreat to
- Crates make transporting your dog much easier
- Using a crate stops your puppy from getting into trouble while you are busy elsewhere.
- Crates provide the perfect convalescing space for dogs on restricted exercise.
- A crate can be a home away from home and help a dog feel safe in a new environment.
If your dog has a positive association with the crate, it is a perfect management tool. However, crates also cause problems. Most issues are caused by using a crate as a means of punishment or keeping your dog contained and isolated for too long.
Dogs are social animals and become miserable if left alone for long periods of time. Not only that, but dogs also need mental stimulation and physical exercise to keep themselves happy. Prolonged periods contained in a crate without a break can lead to a bored and unhappy dog.
Choosing a crate
Crates come in various sizes and materials. Choosing the right one is key to keeping both you and your puppy happy.
The most popular crates come in one of three types of material. If you plan to travel with your dog, a molded plastic crate is the most common type allowed on airlines. So, you may have to crate train your dog twice if you use a different version at home.
Each type of crate has advantages and disadvantages;
Wire Crates
Pros
- Excellent ventilation
- Internal dividers available so the crate can grow with your dog
- A removable floor makes it easy to clean
- Foldable for easy transport
- Allows your dog to see what’s going on
Cons
- Bulky, especially if you have a large dog
- Determined dogs can escape
- Collars should be removed as they can get caught on the crate
- Blankets and bedding needed to make it cozy
- Not very attractive
Plastic Crates
Pros
- Cosy and dark, which some dogs enjoy
- Airlines accept plastic crates, so great if you plan to travel
- The top of the crate comes off so easy to clean
- More difficult to escape from
Cons
- Poor ventilation
- Gets very warm
- A dog can’t see what’s going on
- Bulky
Cloth Crates
Pros
- Lightweight and portable
- Perfect for small dogs
- It folds up for easy storage
Cons
- Not very robust especially for dogs that chew
- It doesn’t offer much protection
- Difficult to clean
Sizing your crate
Size does matter when it comes to choosing a crate. A crate that’s too small will be uncomfortable for your dog. In contrast, a crate that’s too large will allow your puppy to use one end as a bed and the other end to go to the bathroom.
The ideal size of crate allows your dog to comfortably stand up, turn around and lie down with legs outstretched. As your puppy grows, their crate should as well. Metal crates with internal dividers are popular as they allow you to adjust the size of the crate as your puppy develops.
The best place for a crate
Although the size of the crate will help determine where you can put it, there are a few other things to consider before you decide on the best place for it;
Keep a crate away from high-traffic areas.
Your dog should be able to retreat to its crate for rest. Noise, people coming and going, and activity near the crate will all disturb your dog.
Family Time.
However, your dog should not be isolated. A quiet corner of a family room is ideal. This enables your dog to feel included in family life but safe from being disturbed.
Safety.
Place your dog’s crate away from draughts and heat sources like radiators or direct sunlight. Make sure you position the crate so that your puppy can’t reach cables, curtains, or anything else they could chew on.
There’s nothing wrong with putting your new puppy’s crate in your bedroom. In fact, until your dog gets used to being alone, it can help make your puppy feel safe to be with the rest of the family and prevent you from being disturbed by cries in the middle of the night.
Preparing a crate
Filling a crate with soft furnishings is tempting. However, puppies chew. So, it’s important not to fill a crate with too many blankets and towels until you know whether your puppy is likely to rip up and ingest the material.
A soft waterproof pad or a piece of Vetbed is ideal. A chew toy or two is a useful way to encourage appropriate chewing.
How to introduce your puppy to a crate
It’s unrealistic to expect that your puppy will be happy to sleep in their crate all night as soon as you bring them home. Not only will they be in an unfamiliar place, but it’s also the first time they’ve spent time away from their mum and siblings.
Also, as a puppy’s bladder is tiny, no matter how well they settle in, your puppy may still need to go outside to relieve themselves during the night.
As a crate serves multiple purposes, your dog must see it as a pleasant place to go. So crate training should be a positive experience for your dog. Since dogs learn at different rates, patience is vital. Never force your dog in their crate, as they are unlikely to want to use it long-term if they see it as a punishment.
General crate training
There are some general rules to consider before you start;
- Always make sure that your puppy has had an opportunity to relieve themselves before they go to bed in their crate.
- Don’t shut the door until your puppy feels comfortable and relaxed inside
- Slowly build up the time your puppy spends in the crate
- Be patient and gradually extend the time that you leave your puppy so that they don’t become distressed
Fortunately, most dogs adapt quickly to crate training if you have enough treats, so here is our three-step process;
Build a positive association
By far, the most crucial aspect of crate training is making the crate a pleasant place in which to spend time. Luckily, as puppies are so inquisitive, getting your puppy to explore a crate is easy. Food and toys placed inside are a great way to get your dog to investigate their new den.
Any time your puppy shows interest in the crate or ventures inside, praise and treat them. The more you build up a positive association, the more relaxed the training process becomes.
Giving your puppy meals in the crate is another way of getting your dog relaxed inside. If your puppy is still unsure of entering the crate, you can place their food bowl outside and gradually move it closer until your puppy is happy to eat inside. Once your puppy is comfortable eating their food in their crate, you can work on shutting the door.
Closing the door
Once your dog gets used to the crate and is going in and out happily, you can start to train them to spend longer inside. But build this up slowly by closing the door for a few seconds at a time.
Ideally, if you’re feeding your puppy three times a day, it provides a perfect opportunity for door training. Alternatively, interactive feeders are an ideal way to keep your dog relaxed and occupied as part of this process.
The aim is for around fifteen minutes of crate time, with the door closed without your puppy getting stressed. To start with, though, work on five to ten-second intervals. When your puppy starts eating, close the door, wait for five seconds and then open it again.
If your dog remains relaxed, close the door again for five to ten seconds and then open it again. As you work on duration, make sure that you stay within your puppy’s sight and keep an eye on them to make sure they remain comfortable and relaxed.
While some dogs are less likely to notice a closed door if they have food to distract them, others aren’t fooled so easily.
Creating Distance
Once your puppy has mastered the closed door, you can begin to work on distance. When your puppy is in their crate with the door closed, take a step backward, return and treat.
Continue doing this, building up the distance step by step and the time in five-second increments until you can step out of the room.
Once you leave the room, repeat the time increments. Start by standing outside the room for five seconds and then ten seconds etc., until you can leave your puppy for five minutes while they remain relaxed. The time can then be built up in larger chunks, for example, in thirty-second increments if training throughout the day. Try to mix things up and vary the times that your puppy stays in their crate.
How long is too long in a crate?
If you use the crate at night, your puppy shouldn’t be left for more than four hours in their crate during the day.
However, this relies on your dog getting enough physical and mental exercise and adequate opportunities to relieve themselves. In general, a puppy can control their bladder for an hour for each month of its life plus one until adulthood.
So, a three-month-old puppy is capable of holding out for four hours before they need to relieve themselves. Overnight this time extends to around one and a half hours, meaning that the same puppy could last about six hours. While this guideline is useful, it varies from dog to dog, with some needing much more frequent visits. So, get to know your puppy and pre-empt your dog’s toileting needs.
Tips for crate training puppies at night
Sleepless nights are an unfortunate side effect of a new puppy. However, you can make it easier for both of you by placing your puppy’s crate in your bedroom. Although many people don’t like this idea, it doesn’t have to be permanent. A puppy’s first night away from home is often distressing enough without being left entirely alone in a strange environment.
You can either move the crate from room to room or have two, one for nighttime in the bedroom and one for daytime in another area of the house. The other benefit of having the crate near and being close to your puppy is that you can be available quickly to take them out to relieve themselves.
If your puppy is under twelve weeks, they are unlikely to be able to hold their bladder for a whole night. So, as a guideline, take them outside after three to four hours and allow them to empty their bladder, and then put them straight back in the crate.
If you eventually want your bedroom to be puppy-free, you can gradually move your dog’s crate further and further away until it is outside the bedroom. Finally, moving it to where you want your puppy to sleep at night permanently.
What about whining?
There are lots of things to try to minimize the chance of young puppies crying or whining at night. Nothing is foolproof. After all, your dog is in a new environment, away from their mum and siblings, and most likely on their own for the first time and suffering from separation anxiety.
However, mimicking the environment that your puppy has just left can make them feel more secure in their new home.
Try these top tips to help soothe and help your puppy sleep;
- Provide your puppy’s breeder with a blanket or towel before you bring your puppy home. The blanket will smell of mum and siblings, and you can put it in the new crate to help it feel familiar.
- A hot water bottle or heat pad to mimic the warmth of a shared bed
- A soft toy of a similar size to your puppy
- Play soft music or place a ticking clock close to the crate. The rhythmic sound substitutes for a heartbeat
Whining often gets a young puppy attention, and they will keep doing it if it works. Although it’s difficult to ignore, don’t give in as long as you are confident that your puppy doesn’t need a potty break and is safe.
Crate training puppies at night roundup
Crate training can provide you with a useful management tool. At the same time, it can offer puppies a safe and comfortable place to relax and fall asleep. Patience and consistency are key to training. So keep in mind the end goal of your puppy relaxed and happy inside the crate overnight or spending some time alone when you leave the house.
A crate is nothing more than a bed, somewhere that your dog likes to spend time and sleep. In fact, for many dogs, the den-like nature of a covered crate is preferable at bedtime to an open bed. Each dog is different, though, and some dogs never acclimatize to sleeping in a crate. This is especially true for older dogs that are unused to being confined. Never force your dog to use a crate and seek professional help if you are struggling in crate training your puppy at night.