What Do You Do When Your Puppy Cries in Her Pen?

The sound of a puppy crying may be heartbreaking for owners to hear. Puppies, like babies, cry for different reasons. Sometimes they cry to signal discomfort or pain, while other times they only cry for attention. There are different ways to respond to your puppy if it is crying from its pen.

  1. Comfort

    • If your puppy is crying, it is important to first confirm that your puppy is not in pain or discomfort. Check on your puppy to ensure that it has not escaped and that it is not wet or too hot or cold. Also ensure that it has not soiled its sleeping area, which may make its bed too uncomfortable to relax or sleep. If you believe your puppy is in pain or discomfort, it may be sick. Consult a veterinarian.

    Food and Bathroom

    • To prevent your puppy from barking from its pen, give it food and water before confining it. Alternatively, provide a small dish of food and water inside the pen so that the puppy does not cry or whimper out of hunger. Also, take the puppy outdoors to the bathroom before confining it, and take the puppy out every three to four hours, if needed. Young puppies are still developing bladder control, so they need to go often.

    Exercise

    • Give your puppy proper exercise throughout the day to enervate it. That way, she will rest at night and during times that you put it in the pen. Only put the puppy in the pen when necessary, such as when you leave the house. If you are home and able to supervise, let the puppy run around to burn energy and get exercise.

    Toy or Blanket

    • Provide your puppy with a chew toy to reduce crying and to provide some sort of distraction and activity. Also, place an article of clothing or blanket in the pen that has your scent. Young puppies suffer from separation anxiety from owners, and a memento with your scent may help to alleviate some of this anxiety.

    Location of Pen

    • Move the pen to your bedroom, if you are willing. Puppies like to be a part of a pack. If it can see and smell you, the puppy may calm down and be quiet. However, this method may backfire if your puppy sees you and barks all the more to get you to pick it up or play with it. If your puppy does not relax in your room, move the pen back out of the room. If your puppy's pen is near a window or door, the puppy may be crying because of sounds it hears outdoors. Move the puppy to a quiet place, where it will not be distracted.

    Ticking Clock

    • Wrap an old ticking clock in a towel or pillowcase. Place the clock inside the puppy's pen. The ticking sound will calm and comfort a dog, since it mimics another dog's heartbeat.