How to Quiet a Puppy in a Crate

Like human babies, puppies naturally make noise to get attention. Dogs may whine or whimper because they are scared, cold or lonely, or they may bark because they are excited and want attention. Also like human babies, puppies are not comfortable being isolated from a caregiver for long periods of time. If you want your puppy to stop whining, make it feel comfortable in its crate and train it gradually. Once it knows that the crate is a safe den where it can relax, it won't whine or whimper.

Things You'll Need

  • Crate
  • Cardboard
  • Dog bed
  • Shirt
  • Towel
  • Knotted rope
  • Treat
  • Collar
  • Leash
  • Pig's ear
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Instructions

    • 1

      Put the crate in the room with you. Knowing that the "pack" is nearby makes dogs feel more comfortable and less lonely.

    • 2

      Put a sheet of cardboard under the crate if your crate is on a hard floor. This prevents it from sliding around, which can scare the puppy.

    • 3

      Put a dog bed inside the crate, as well as a shirt or towel that smells like you. The puppy finds having your smell nearby comforting.

    • 4

      Play with your puppy. Wrestle with it, play tug-of-war with a knotted rope or do some other activity to tire it out so it is more comfortable once it gets in the crate.

    • 5

      Prop the door open and put a treat in the crate. Allow the puppy to go in voluntarily. Pet the puppy and praise it for going into the crate.

    • 6

      Wait for your dog to fall asleep inside the crate. Quietly latch the crate as soon as it falls asleep. If your dog falls asleep elsewhere, carefully lift it, place it in the crate and latch the crate while the dog is still asleep.

    • 7

      Open the crate when the dog wakes up. Put on its collar and leash and lead it outside to use the bathroom.

    • 8

      Place a treat such as a pig's ear inside the crate once the dog is comfortable going into the crate. Latch the crate for a short time while the dog chews on the treat. If it starts whining or scratching to get out, let it out.

    • 9

      Keep the dog inside the crate for incrementally longer periods of time. Ignore a little bit of whining and let it out after about 10 minutes. Pet and praise the dog when it leaves the crate. Gradually increase the time until you can leave your puppy in its crate for as long as you need to.