How to Quiet a Whiny Dog in a Crate

Crate training is a good way to begin training your dog, but you must do it correctly. One of the biggest issues with crate training is that dogs tend to whine and cry when in the crate. To quiet a whiny dog in a crate, you must first know why it is whining. Once you are aware of the dog's issues with the crate, you will be better able to quiet the dog and ease any anxiousness it is experiencing.

Things You'll Need

  • Dog chew toys
  • Article of clothing with your scent on it
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Instructions

    • 1

      Create a comfortable environment for your dog inside the crate. If your dog is in a cold metal or plastic crate and is uncomfortable, this can cause it to whine. A crate is your dog's den and safe place--a place the dog should want to go in on its own to rest.

    • 2

      Check to make sure your dog is not injured or sick. Dogs will whine if they do not feel good. If injury or sickness is indeed the problem, be sure to take your dog to the veterinarian.

    • 3

      Become familiar with your dog's bathroom routine. If it has to go to the bathroom, it may whine while in the crate. Dogs learn at a young age from their mothers not to soil their sleeping areas. That means your dog will probably not relieve itself inside the crate.

    • 4

      Move the crate to the room where you are. Dogs are pack animals and want to be with the rest of the pack. The rest of your dog's pack is you. This method is especially helpful at night. Your dog may sleep better at night if it is in the same room as you.

    • 5

      Place an article of your clothing with your scent on it, such as a shirt, in the crate with your dog. If you are unable to be in the same room with your dog while it is in its crate, it will feel close to you by smelling your scent.

    • 6

      Put one or two chew toys in your dog's crate. If your dog has something to occupy it, such as chewing on a dog toy, it will be busy chewing and will probably stop whining.