What Should I Do If My Puppy Barks When Putting Him in His Crate?

Many dog owners choose to place their puppies in crates during the night, and in some cases during portions of the day. Placing your puppy inside of a crate can protect it from household dangers while you sleep and help to build a steady routine. While some puppies adapt naturally to sleeping in a crate, others may resist the process at first, even barking incessantly. If you find that your puppy barks while inside the crate, you can solve the problem with a bit of training.

Things You'll Need

  • Blanket
  • Dog toys
  • Puppy treats
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Instructions

    • 1

      Place your puppy in the crate during the day, for about an hour at first, then for 90 minutes and finally for two hours (never exceed two hours in a single day). Stretch this over a period of several days in order to gradually help your puppy get used to the crate. Your puppy will almost certainly bark at first, but this will subside with time -- as long as you remain firm in your resolve.

    • 2

      Go for a jog with your puppy or engage in an alternative form of rigorous exercise just before bed. This will help the puppy to burn off any energy remaining at the end of the day while satisfying the animal's craving for attention. Jog around the block a few times, toss a tennis ball around the backyard or do something else that the puppy enjoys. Then place the puppy inside the crate for bedtime.

    • 3

      Create a cozy environment inside the crate. Place a soft blanket along the bottom and insert a couple of the puppy's favorite toys. You may even want to alternate the toys every couple of days to keep the puppy mentally stimulated.

    • 4

      Encourage the puppy to enter the crate by placing a puppy treat inside of it. Give the puppy a second treat as soon as it enters the crate and settles down.

    • 5

      Praise the puppy enthusiastically as you close the door to the crate. Puppies respond well to positive reinforcement and will develop new habits according to an owner's approval and validation.

    • 6

      Allow your puppy to bark. If you respond to every bark and whimper, the puppy will feel encouraged to continue barking, realizing that it gets your attention. If you ignore the barking, on the other hand, your puppy will ultimately become bored and stop.