Did a new furry companion just join your household? While getting a puppy can be extremely fun, the process also can come with some disciplinary challenges. And you'll want to help your pup adjust to its new setting so you both can get plenty of rest at night.
Your best bet is to take a measured approach - and be consistent throughout your training. Read on to learn the best strategies for crate training a puppy at night!
Understand the Benefits
Nighttime puppy training can make sleep time easier for pet owners. It also can set the stage for your puppy to learn to tolerate new situations. While crate training requires a consistent and methodical approach, the benefits far outweigh the drawbacks.
Crate training your pup may take time. But successfully doing it offers:
- A safe place to sleep
- A consistent routine
- Self-soothing opportunities
- The potential for easier travel
You may not want a young pup, or even an adult dog, to be roaming freely throughout the night in your home. They might be prone to shredding pillows or wreaking havoc on your linens. And especially for a pup, there could be hazards, like steps, that could cause injuries.
Keeping your pup confined to a crate is a safe solution. You won't have to worry about them, which will help you sleep better.
Puppies will learn to self-soothe through the crate training process, too. You may hear whimpering indicative of separation anxiety from your pup. The sooner you start the crate training process, the easier it will be for your new furry family member to self-soothe.
And if you're a regular traveler, crate training can make visits to the vet or other locations easier. Your puppy will be used to the idea of getting into a crate while traveling in your car.
Ultimately, a crate offers a secure space for your pup to feel more comfortable. They will start to see it as a safe space to snuggle in and snooze!
Choose a Good Crate
The most effective puppy sleep solutions start with a good place to sleep. That's why you'll need to be intentional about the type of crate you choose. Consider these factors when choosing a crate:
- Crate size
- Crate coverings
- Crate amenities
Choose a crate that is neither too big nor too small for your pup. They should be able to stand upright and move around in the crate. And there should be 6" of clearance above and around them.
If a crate doesn't offer that wiggle room, then the crate is too small - and your puppy will feel cramped. Keep in mind that you will probably need to upgrade your crate's size as your puppy grows and develops.
On the other side of the spectrum, a crate that is too large could feel cold and scary. Worse yet, your puppy might decide that they have enough room to use the crate for bathroom duties.
Puppies want a cozy environment at night. But many crates can feel sterile without anything inside of them. Providing a few add-ons, like dog beds, or looking for crates with specific amenities can enhance the crate training experience.
For instance, you can create a cozier space by covering the crate with a blanket. A blanket will help block out distractions and provide privacy. Just be sure to leave one side open for airflow and visibility.
You may want to provide water for your dog, too, in their crate to encourage hydration. Just be sure to choose a bowl that is not likely to tip over or spill. Buy a bowl that can attach to the side of a crate, for instance.
Determine Where to Place the Crate
Placement of your pup's crate is critical when you're crate training a puppy at night. Good options may include:
- A bedroom
- Hallway
- Laundry room
- Family room
Knowing that puppies can experience separation anxiety, it's advisable to start by keeping the crate near you. That way, you can check on them more easily. And your pup might feel more content in those first few days.
Start by placing the crate in your bedroom, if space allows. After some successful nights in your room, you can try relocating the crate to another space. The end of a spacious hallway, for example, might be a good place to tuck a crate.
If you have a designated laundry room, that can be another good, quiet option for a crate. And if your family room doesn't see heavy use at night, consider placing a crate there or another pet-friendly location.
While some background noise can help a puppy settle down, too much noise can be a distraction. Excess noise can be a source of stress for your pup as they're trying to acclimate to a new space and routine. Consequently, when choosing where to place a crate, stay away from high-traffic areas.
Create a Routine
When it comes to puppy crate training tips, a big one is to stick with a routine. Puppies will have an easier time adapting if they see a predictable lineup of events. Before bed, you can:
- Take your puppy for a short walk
- Give them playtime
- Create a quieter environment
Taking your pup for a walk is a great way to help them shed excess energy. It's also an important potty break before bed. Your puppy will feel more comfortable heading back inside.
Once you've given your pup some exercise time, you'll want them to settle down. Remove stimuli from their environment to encourage this progression.
Crate training techniques also include being mindful of how you communicate with your pup. You'll want to be consistent with your commands.
If you're using a particular word or gesture to indicate it's time to go to the crate, keep that command the same. Avoid using multiple commands, as this could confuse your pup.
For crate training success, focus on gradual improvements. After all, puppies will need time to adapt to their new situation. Start with shorter stretches in the crate before gradually extending those periods.
Respond to Challenges
Crate training won't always go smoothly. One good night doesn't mean that every subsequent night will follow suit.
Instead, you'll need to be prepared to handle challenges with as little disruption as possible. Be prepared for issues like:
- Ongoing barking
- Whining
- Accidents
It's not uncommon for pups to bark or whine at night.And at a certain point, you might feel desperate to make the barking stop. But don't give in to the temptation to approach your pup or let your pup out of its crate right away.
It's better to give your puppy time to settle down in their dog crate first. Much like a crying baby, a puppy needs to learn the art of self-soothing.
Intervening too quickly could be interpreted as rewarding your pup for whining. And you don't want to establish that way of thinking in a young pup!
The first whimpers can be hard to take as a new pet owner. But over time, you might not even need to intervene once they learn to self-soothe.
Be ready for accidents in the crate, too. You may need to introduce nighttime potty breaks to help your pup in the initial part of crate training.
Avoid Common Mistakes
Particularly for first-time puppy owners, mistakes come with the territory. You'll have a more effective experience with crate training if you're aware of the pitfalls. Watch out for the following common mistakes:
- Giving in to your puppy's demands
- Rushing the crate training process
- Using the crate as a form of punishment
- Being impatient
Avoid rushing to console a whimpering puppy or letting them out when they're barking.Responding too quickly gives your pup too much power. They'll learn to bark or whine more often to get your attention as a result.
Remember that you can't rush crate training. You'll need to be flexible and understand that crate training should happen in smaller increments. You may need to limit crate time to just three or four hours at a time to get started.
Crate training should never be used as a form of punishment, either. If you do use it in that capacity, your pup may develop a negative connection with the crate. It will be harder to convince them that their crate is a secure space.
Plan on being patient throughout the entire process. Offer plenty of positive reinforcement when your pup does something right. And know that a fully crated trained pup will be a better experience for everyone!
Learn How to Crate Train a Puppy at Night
When you're crate training a puppy at night, you'll need to bring plenty of patience and consistency to the process. Choose the right crate and place it in a quiet and secure space in your home. Stick with a nighttime routine and be mindful of how you respond to common challenges.
At Pet Crates Direct, we've been providing customers with quality pet supplies online since 2002. Count on us for the best selection of crates and other products to help your pets thrive. Contact us to learn more!
