Puppy Crying in the Crate at Night: What Should You Do?

Bringing a new puppy home is exciting, but the first few nights can be difficult. One of the most common problems new puppy owners encounter is a puppy who cries, whines, barks or howls when put into their crate at night.

Should you ignore them? Take them outside? Sit beside the crate? Bring them into your bed? Are you creating a bad habit if you comfort them?

The answer isn't simply "ignore them until they stop."

A puppy crying in a crate may need the toilet, may be frightened by suddenly sleeping alone, may not yet understand what the crate is for, or may simply be struggling because their crate training has progressed too quickly.

The best response depends on why your puppy is crying.

This guide explains how to settle a puppy in a crate at night, how to tell the difference between a toilet request and distress, where to put the crate, whether you should sleep beside your puppy, what to do during night-time toilet trips and how to gradually teach your puppy to sleep confidently through the night.

If you're just beginning crate training, start with our complete guide:

How to Crate Train a Puppy or Adult Dog: Complete Step-by-Step Guide

Why Does My Puppy Cry in the Crate at Night?

It's easy to interpret crying as a puppy "trying to get their own way", but vocalisation can have many causes.

Your puppy may be:

• Needing the toilet
• Frightened
• Lonely
• Uncomfortable
• Too hot or cold
• Hungry or thirsty
• Over-tired
• Over-stimulated
• Frustrated by confinement
• Unfamiliar with the crate
• Unaccustomed to sleeping alone
• Distressed when separated from you
• Reacting to noises they don't understand

Before deciding how to respond, consider the whole situation and your puppy's body language.

Remember How Much Has Changed for Your Puppy

The first few nights in a new home can represent an enormous change.

Until very recently, your puppy may have slept:

• Beside their mother
• Beside littermates
• In familiar surroundings
• With familiar smells
• With familiar sounds
• According to a routine they've known throughout their life

Then suddenly they're in:

A different house, with different people, different smells, different sounds and potentially sleeping completely alone for the first time.

It's therefore not surprising that some puppies struggle.

Comforting a frightened young puppy doesn't mean you've "lost" crate training.

The aim is to gradually teach:

"This is a safe place to sleep."

Not:

"Nobody comes when I'm frightened."

Should I Ignore My Puppy Crying in the Crate?

Not automatically.

The old advice to put a puppy in a crate and simply ignore them until they stop crying doesn't take account of why the puppy is vocalising.

There is an important difference between a puppy who briefly complains about a closed door and a puppy experiencing genuine distress.

Mild Frustration Might Look Like:

• Occasional whining
• Brief grumbling
• Looking towards you
• Settling between vocalisations
• Still accepting food
• Changing position normally
• Relaxed body language between noises

More Significant Distress May Include:

• Continuous or escalating screaming/howling
• Frantic scratching or biting at the crate
• Repeatedly throwing their body against the door
• Heavy panting when they're not hot
• Excessive drooling
• Refusing food they would normally love
• Desperate attempts to escape
• Inability to settle at all
• Toileting associated with panic

A puppy in genuine distress isn't learning to relax in their crate.

If distress is escalating, make the situation easier rather than waiting indefinitely for exhaustion to make the puppy quiet.

First Question: Does Your Puppy Need the Toilet?

With a young puppy, this should be one of your first considerations.

Young puppies have limited bladder capacity and may genuinely need to toilet during the night.

If your puppy has been asleep for some time and suddenly wakes and begins crying, a toilet trip may be appropriate.

Take them calmly to their normal toilet area.

Keep the trip:

• Quiet
• Calm
• Boring
• Brief

Don't turn on every light in the house, start playing, offer an exciting training session or spend half an hour exploring the garden.

Give your puppy an opportunity to toilet.

If they go, calmly praise or reward them and return to bed.

If they don't, give them a reasonable opportunity and then calmly return them to their sleeping area.

The message becomes:

Crying because you genuinely need the toilet gets you a toilet opportunity — not a 3am party.

How Often Does a Puppy Need to Toilet During the Night?

There isn't one timetable that applies to every puppy.

Age matters, but so do:

• Individual development
• Puppy size
• When they last drank
• When they last toileted
• Whether they're deeply asleep
• Diet
• Digestive health
• Previous toilet training
• Stress and excitement

Some puppies begin sleeping for relatively long stretches surprisingly quickly.

Others need one or more night-time toilet trips for longer.

Don't force a young puppy to remain in their crate until morning simply because an online chart says a puppy of that age "should" be capable of holding their bladder for a certain number of hours.

Look at the puppy in front of you.

Should I Set an Alarm to Take My Puppy Out at Night?

It can be useful during the very early stages, particularly if you know roughly how long your puppy can comfortably sleep before needing to toilet.

Taking them out before they become desperate and start screaming can make nights calmer.

However, you don't necessarily need to continue waking a puppy who is already comfortably sleeping for longer.

As your puppy develops, you can gradually extend the interval according to their individual needs.

The long-term goal is naturally to allow everyone to sleep through the night.

Where Should My Puppy's Crate Be at Night?

For many young puppies, the easiest place to begin is beside your bed.

This has several advantages.

You can:

• Hear when your puppy wakes
• Distinguish restless movement from genuine crying
• Respond quickly to toilet needs
• Provide reassurance without getting out of bed repeatedly
• Monitor whether they're settling
• Help them adjust to sleeping away from their litter

Being close to you can make the first nights considerably less frightening.

Will Putting the Crate Beside My Bed Make My Puppy Dependent on Me?

Not necessarily.

Starting beside your puppy doesn't mean their crate needs to remain beside your bed forever.

Once your puppy is sleeping confidently, you can gradually move the crate towards its eventual location.

For example:

Beside bed → other side of bedroom → bedroom doorway → hallway → eventual sleeping location

You don't need to make every move in that sequence if your puppy is coping well.

Some puppies progress extremely quickly.

Others benefit from smaller steps.

What If I Eventually Want My Dog to Sleep Downstairs?

You can still begin with the crate near you.

Once your puppy feels secure sleeping in the crate, gradually move it towards the location where you eventually want them to sleep.

This separates two different lessons:

Lesson 1: Sleeping in my crate is safe.

Lesson 2: Sleeping away from my owner is safe.

Trying to teach both on the very first night may simply make the exercise unnecessarily difficult for some puppies.

Should I Sleep Beside My Puppy's Crate?

If necessary, yes.

For a puppy who is genuinely frightened, temporarily sleeping close to the crate can help them adjust.

You aren't committing yourself to sleeping on the floor for the next 15 years.

Once your puppy is comfortable, gradually increase the distance.

Ideally, however, putting the crate beside your bed is usually considerably more comfortable for the human!

Can I Put My Fingers Through the Crate to Comfort My Puppy?

For some puppies, simply hearing or smelling you nearby is enough.

Others may settle if you briefly place your hand near the crate.

There's nothing inherently wrong with calmly reassuring a new puppy.

The important distinction is between reassurance and creating an exciting interaction every time the puppy makes a noise.

Keep night-time interactions calm and boring.

Should I Bring My Puppy Into My Bed if They Cry?

That depends partly on where you ultimately want your dog to sleep.

If you genuinely want your adult dog sleeping in your bed, allowing them into it isn't automatically a problem.

But if your long-term goal is for your puppy to sleep comfortably in their own crate or bed, repeatedly moving them into your bed whenever they vocalise may make that goal harder to achieve.

Instead, make their own sleeping space easier:

• Bring the crate closer to you
• Check toilet needs
• Check temperature and comfort
• Reassure them calmly
• Work on positive crate associations during the daytime

What Should I Put in My Puppy's Crate at Night?

What belongs inside depends on your individual puppy.

Options may include:

• Suitable crate bedding
• Vet bedding
• A comfortable crate mat
• An appropriate dog bed
• Water where required
• A safe enrichment item where appropriate

However, not every puppy can safely be left unattended with every bed, toy or chew.

A puppy that tears apart and eats fabric needs a different setup from a puppy that simply curls up and sleeps.

We've covered this subject separately:

What Should You Put in a Puppy Crate? Bedding, Water, Toys & Chews Explained

Is My Puppy's Crate the Right Size?

Crate size can affect how comfortably a puppy settles.

Your puppy should have enough space to:

• Stand naturally
• Turn around
• Lie comfortably
• Change sleeping position

But during toilet training, an unnecessarily enormous crate can allow a puppy to create a sleeping area at one end and toilet at the other.

If you're unsure about sizing, read:

What Size Dog Crate Do I Need? Complete Dog Crate Size Guide

Shop Dog Crates & Kennels

Should I Cover My Puppy's Crate at Night?

Some puppies settle better when a wire crate is partially covered because it reduces visual stimulation.

Others prefer being able to see what's happening around them.

Try both and watch your puppy's response.

If you use a cover:

• Maintain excellent ventilation
• Don't allow the crate to overheat
• Make sure the puppy can't pull loose fabric through the bars
• Don't completely seal the crate

A crate cover should make the environment calmer, not hotter or less ventilated.

Should I Leave a Light on for My Puppy?

Most puppies don't require a bright light to sleep.

If your puppy is initially unsettled in complete darkness, a dim light outside the crate may help during the adjustment period.

However, keeping the environment generally dark and calm can help establish that night-time means sleep.

Should I Leave the Radio or TV on?

Some puppies find quiet background sound reassuring, particularly if they've previously slept somewhere with regular human activity.

Low-level:

• Radio
• White noise
• Calm household sound

may help mask unfamiliar noises.

But louder isn't better.

The aim is to create a calm sleeping environment rather than continuous stimulation.

Should My Puppy Have Water in Their Crate Overnight?

Puppies need appropriate access to fresh drinking water, and you shouldn't deliberately dehydrate a puppy simply to avoid toilet trips.

The exact overnight setup depends on factors including:

• Puppy age
• Health
• Temperature
• Length of confinement
• Individual drinking habits
• Veterinary advice where relevant

A securely attached crate bowl can be useful when water needs to remain available because it's harder to overturn than a normal floor bowl.

For a detailed discussion of water, bedding, food, toys and chews inside crates, see:

What Should You Put in a Puppy Crate?

Should I Put a Puppy Pad in the Crate Overnight?

Usually, we wouldn't deliberately set up a small sleeping crate with a bed at one end and a puppy pad at the other.

One reason a correctly sized crate can support toilet training is that many puppies naturally prefer not to toilet where they sleep.

If you need to leave a very young puppy for longer than they can reasonably remain clean, a larger puppy pen setup with a separate sleeping and toilet area may be more appropriate than expecting them to soil their sleeping crate.

For a full comparison:

Puppy Pen vs Dog Crate: Which Should You Use?

Should I Tire My Puppy Out Before Bed?

Your puppy should have had an appropriate opportunity for:

• Toileting
• Gentle activity
• Mental stimulation
• Social interaction

before bedtime.

But trying to physically exhaust a puppy immediately before bed can backfire.

An extremely over-tired puppy can become:

• Bitey
• Frantic
• Zoomy
• Unable to settle

Think calm bedtime routine, rather than trying to run your puppy until they collapse.

A Good Puppy Bedtime Routine

Consistency can make night-time much easier.

A simple routine might look like:

Evening activity → calm period → final toilet trip → quiet return indoors → crate → sleep

Avoid highly exciting play immediately before you expect your puppy to switch off.

Over time, the routine itself becomes a predictor that it's time to sleep.

Should I Give My Puppy a KONG at Bedtime?

Food enrichment can be extremely useful during crate training.

A suitable stuffed KONG may help a puppy associate entering the crate with something enjoyable and encourage calm licking or chewing.

However, assess whether any toy is safe for your individual puppy before leaving it with them unattended.

Supervise new toys first.

Shop KONG Dog Toys & Enrichment

How to Introduce the Crate During the Day

Don't make bedtime the only time your puppy experiences their crate.

That can create an unfortunate association:

Crate = everyone disappears and I have to stay there all night.

During the day:

1. Leave the crate open.
2. Scatter treats inside.
3. Feed meals inside.
4. Allow your puppy to explore voluntarily.
5. Reward them for entering.
6. Encourage naps inside.
7. Introduce very brief door closures.
8. Gradually increase duration.
9. Practise while you're still nearby.
10. Gradually introduce movement and short absences.

Good daytime crate training usually makes night-time training much easier.

Read the full process here:

Complete Puppy & Dog Crate Training Guide

My Puppy Goes Into the Crate Happily but Cries When I Shut the Door

This suggests that entering the crate and being confined inside it are currently two different things for your puppy.

Go back a step.

Practise extremely short door movements.

For example:

Puppy enters → reward → move door slightly → reward → open

Then:

Close door → immediately open → reward

Then:

Close for one second → open

Then:

Two seconds

Build gradually.

Don't jump from:

"My puppy will walk into the crate for chicken"

to:

"My puppy should therefore be happy locked inside for eight hours."

Those are very different skills.

My Puppy Is Fine in the Crate During the Day but Cries at Night

Consider what is different.

At night:

• The house becomes quiet
• Lights go off
• People disappear
• The puppy may be alone
• They may have slept near littermates previously
• The duration may be much longer
• They may wake needing the toilet

Your puppy may therefore understand the crate perfectly well but not yet understand sleeping alone overnight.

Temporarily moving the crate closer to you can help separate those issues.

My Puppy Cries as Soon as I Leave the Room

This may mean you've progressed from crate training into alone-time training too quickly.

Being happy in a crate while you're sitting beside it doesn't automatically mean a puppy is ready to be left alone.

Practise tiny absences during the daytime.

For example:

Stand up → sit down

then:

Take one step away → return

then:

Walk across room → return

then:

Disappear for one second → return

Build gradually according to your puppy's behaviour.

How Long Should I Wait Before Responding to a Crying Puppy?

There isn't a magic number of minutes.

Advice such as "never respond until they've been quiet for exactly five minutes" can be far too simplistic for a young puppy.

Instead, consider:

• How old is the puppy?
• How long have they been asleep?
• When did they last toilet?
• Is the crying escalating?
• What does their body language look like?
• Are they frightened or merely briefly frustrated?
• Have they previously been comfortable at this stage?

You don't need to leap into action after every tiny squeak.

But you also shouldn't ignore an increasingly distressed puppy purely because you're waiting for an arbitrary amount of silence.

Won't My Puppy Learn That Crying Gets Them Out?

A puppy can learn associations, so how you respond matters.

If every tiny noise produces:

Door opens → exciting play → cuddles → food → freedom

then vocalising may become rewarding.

But responding to a genuine toilet need or helping a frightened puppy doesn't automatically create a lifelong behavioural problem.

Keep necessary responses calm and functional.

For a toilet trip:

Outside → toilet opportunity → reward toileting → straight back to bed.

Should I Wait for Silence Before Opening the Crate?

Where the puppy is simply mildly impatient and all their needs have been met, opening during a brief moment of calm can help avoid reinforcing frantic behaviour.

However, this shouldn't become a rigid rule when a puppy is:

• Desperate to toilet
• Frightened
• Panicking
• Physically uncomfortable

Don't leave a puppy in escalating distress waiting for a perfect five-second silence.

Context matters.

My Puppy Screams When Put in the Crate

Screaming, frantic escape attempts and escalating panic deserve more attention than ordinary puppy grumbling.

Check:

• Toilet needs
• Temperature
• Physical comfort
• Crate location
• Whether the puppy has actually been introduced to the crate
• Whether the door was closed too quickly
• Whether they're distressed specifically by you leaving

If your puppy becomes increasingly frantic, don't simply leave them to scream themselves to sleep.

Make the exercise easier and rebuild the association.

Can Crying in a Crate Mean Separation Anxiety?

Not every puppy that cries when left has separation anxiety.

A newly arrived puppy vocalising during their first nights away from their litter is very different from diagnosing a persistent separation-related disorder.

However, severe distress when left alone shouldn't simply be dismissed as bad behaviour.

Warning signs can include:

• Extreme vocalisation
• Frantic escape attempts
• Heavy panting
• Excessive drooling
• Refusing high-value food when alone
• Injuring themselves trying to escape
• Persistent inability to settle

A crate does not cure separation anxiety.

For dogs with significant separation-related distress, confinement can sometimes make the situation harder.

Seek appropriately qualified behavioural and veterinary advice where necessary.

My Puppy Falls Asleep Beside Me but Wakes When I Move Them Into the Crate

Rather than repeatedly transferring an already sleeping puppy, work on helping them fall asleep in the crate itself.

Create the conditions for sleep:

• Toilet first
• Calm environment
• Comfortable bedding
• Crate close to you
• Low stimulation
• Appropriate enrichment if useful

This allows the puppy to fall asleep in the same place where they'll wake.

My Puppy Wakes Up at 5am Every Morning

First consider whether they genuinely need the toilet.

Young puppies often wake earlier than we'd like.

Take them outside quietly.

If they toilet, return them to their sleeping area if it's still realistically night-time.

Avoid immediately beginning:

Breakfast → exciting play → morning walk

at 5am unless that's genuinely the schedule you want long-term.

Otherwise you can accidentally make early waking extremely rewarding.

As your puppy matures and their bladder capacity improves, their wake-up time may naturally become later.

What If My Puppy Toilets in the Crate Overnight?

Don't punish them.

Ask why it happened.

Possibilities include:

• Puppy was left too long
• They didn't toilet before bed
• Crate is excessively large
• Puppy is very young
• Digestive upset
• Stress
• Previous habit of toileting where they sleep
• Change in routine
• Medical problem

Clean the crate thoroughly and adjust the management plan.

Repeated unexplained urination, diarrhoea or other changes may warrant veterinary advice.

My Puppy Was Sleeping Through the Night but Has Started Crying Again

Regression can happen.

Think about what has changed.

Possibilities include:

• Developmental changes
• Change in routine
• Different sleeping location
• Temperature
• Noise outside
• Digestive upset
• Increased drinking
• Teething discomfort
• A frightening experience
• Illness
• Changes within the household

Don't assume your puppy has suddenly become "naughty".

Work out what changed.

Can I Move the Crate Once My Puppy Sleeps Through the Night?

Yes.

If you ultimately want the crate somewhere else, gradually move it once your puppy is confident.

Some puppies won't care if you move it across the house overnight.

Others notice immediately.

If your puppy struggles, make smaller changes.

When Will My Puppy Sleep Through the Night?

There is no exact age.

Some puppies settle through the night relatively quickly.

Others require night-time toilet trips or reassurance for longer.

Factors include:

• Age
• Size
• Individual development
• Previous routine
• Toilet training
• Environment
• Temperament
• How crate training was introduced

Rather than aiming for a particular age, look for gradual improvement:

Longer periods asleep → fewer toilet trips → quicker resettling → eventually sleeping through.

Can an Adult Dog Cry in a Crate at Night?

Yes.

Adult dogs can struggle with crate confinement too, particularly if:

• They've never been crate trained
• They have a negative history with crates
• They're in an unfamiliar environment
• They're experiencing separation-related distress
• They're physically uncomfortable
• Their normal sleeping routine has changed

Don't assume an adult dog should simply "know better".

Use the same gradual principles.

What Type of Crate Is Best for Sleeping?

For home use, many owners choose a folding wire crate because it provides:

• Excellent ventilation
• Visibility
• Multiple access points on many models
• Fold-flat storage
• Easy cleaning

Other dogs prefer the more enclosed feeling of a plastic crate.

We've compared the options here:

Wire vs Plastic Dog Crates: Which Is Best?

Shop Dog Crates & Kennels

A Simple First-Night Puppy Crate Plan

If you've just brought your puppy home, a sensible first-night routine could be:

1. Set the crate up beside your bed.

Make it comfortable and ensure it's an appropriate size.

2. Spend time introducing it before bedtime.

Don't wait until you're exhausted and then introduce the crate for the first time.

3. Feed or reward your puppy inside.

Build a positive association.

4. Give your puppy a final toilet opportunity immediately before bed.

Keep things calm afterwards.

5. Settle your puppy in the crate close to you.

Provide quiet reassurance if needed.

6. If your young puppy wakes after sleeping and begins crying, consider whether they need the toilet.

Take them outside calmly.

7. Keep night-time toilet trips boring.

Toilet, reward, back to bed.

8. During the day, continue proper crate training.

Don't expect the night alone to teach the behaviour.

9. Gradually reduce the amount of reassurance needed.

Let your puppy's confidence determine the pace.

10. Move the crate later if you want a different permanent sleeping location.

There is no need to rush.

Common Mistakes When a Puppy Cries at Night

Putting the Puppy Alone Downstairs on Their First Night

Some puppies cope perfectly well.

Others find this enormous transition extremely difficult.

Starting closer to you and increasing distance later can make training considerably easier.

Assuming Every Cry Is Attention Seeking

Sometimes the puppy genuinely needs something.

Investigate before deciding how to respond.

Turning Toilet Trips Into Playtime

Keep night-time outings calm and functional.

Only Using the Crate at Night

Build positive crate associations throughout the day too.

Closing the Door Before the Puppy Is Comfortable

Voluntary entry and relaxation should come before substantial periods of confinement.

Punishing Vocalisation

Shouting or banging the crate may make the sleeping environment frightening and increase the problem.

Moving Too Quickly

Your friend's puppy sleeping eight hours from night one doesn't mean yours should.

Train the puppy in front of you.

Using a Crate That's the Wrong Size

Too small is uncomfortable.

Excessively large can make toilet training more difficult.

Read our:

Complete Dog Crate Size Guide

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it normal for a puppy to cry on the first night?

Yes. Some puppies struggle when first separated from their familiar environment, mother or littermates.

That doesn't mean you should simply ignore escalating distress.

How do I stop my puppy crying in the crate at night?

Make sure their physical needs are met, introduce the crate positively during the day, position it close to you initially if necessary, provide appropriate comfort and respond calmly to genuine toilet needs.

The goal is to build confidence rather than simply suppress noise.

Should I ignore puppy whining at night?

Not automatically.

Consider whether your puppy needs to toilet, is uncomfortable or is becoming genuinely distressed.

Brief mild complaining is different from escalating panic.

Should a puppy crate be in the bedroom?

It can be particularly useful during the first nights.

Having the crate beside your bed allows you to monitor the puppy and respond to genuine toilet needs while helping them adjust to sleeping away from their litter.

Can I move the puppy crate out of my bedroom later?

Yes.

Once your puppy is comfortable, gradually move the crate towards its eventual location if desired.

How do I know whether my puppy is crying to go to the toilet?

If a young puppy has been asleep and suddenly wakes and becomes restless or vocal, a toilet trip is reasonable.

Take them outside quietly and give them the opportunity to toilet.

Should I wake my puppy to pee at night?

For very young puppies, scheduled toilet trips can sometimes prevent accidents.

As your puppy begins sleeping comfortably for longer, you can adjust the schedule according to their individual needs rather than unnecessarily waking them.

What if my puppy cries immediately when the crate door closes?

Your puppy may not yet be comfortable with confinement.

Practise much shorter door closures during the daytime and gradually build duration.

How long should I let a puppy cry in a crate?

There isn't a universal number of minutes.

Assess the reason for the crying and the puppy's level of distress rather than using an arbitrary timer.

Should I let my puppy cry it out?

Allowing escalating fear or panic to continue until a puppy becomes exhausted isn't the goal of crate training.

If your puppy is becoming increasingly distressed, reduce the difficulty and work on building positive associations.

Will comforting my puppy reward crying?

Calmly meeting a genuine need doesn't automatically create a bad habit.

Keep toilet trips and reassurance low-key rather than turning crying into an exciting opportunity for play.

What time should a puppy go to bed?

There isn't one correct bedtime.

A consistent routine that fits your household is more important than a specific clock time.

Should puppies sleep in complete darkness?

Most puppies can sleep in darkness, although a dim light may help some puppies during their first few nights in an unfamiliar environment.

Can I cover the crate at night?

Yes, if your puppy finds it calming, provided airflow remains excellent and the crate doesn't become too warm.

Can my puppy sleep with a toy in the crate?

Only if the item is appropriate and safe for that individual puppy.

Supervise new toys before deciding whether they're suitable for unattended use.

Should I put a bed in my puppy's crate?

Many puppies enjoy comfortable bedding, but puppies that shred or swallow bedding may require a simpler setup.

Read our complete guide:

What Should You Put in a Puppy Crate?
https://www.petconnection.ie/blogs/pet-care-guides/what-to-put-in-a-puppy-crate

Is a puppy pen better than a crate at night?

They serve different purposes.

A crate creates a compact sleeping area, while a pen provides more freedom of movement.

For situations where a puppy cannot reasonably remain clean for the entire period, a larger pen with physically separate sleeping and toilet areas may sometimes be more appropriate.

Read:

Puppy Pen vs Dog Crate:
https://www.petconnection.ie/blogs/pet-care-guides/puppy-pen-vs-dog-crate

The Most Important Thing to Remember

A puppy crying at night isn't automatically being difficult, manipulative or naughty.

They're learning several things simultaneously:

How to sleep in a new home.

How to sleep without their littermates.

How to control their bladder overnight.

How to relax inside a crate.

How to cope when you're not immediately beside them.

Make those lessons manageable.

Meet genuine needs.

Keep night-time toilet trips boring.

Build positive crate associations during the day.

Increase independence gradually.

And judge progress according to your individual puppy, rather than someone else's timetable.

The long-term objective isn't simply a puppy that has stopped making noise.

It's a dog that can enter their crate, settle down and genuinely feel comfortable enough to sleep.

Continue Reading: Complete Crate Training Series

How to Crate Train a Puppy or Adult Dog: Complete Step-by-Step Guide
https://www.petconnection.ie/pages/crate-training

What Size Dog Crate Do I Need? Complete Dog Crate Size Guide
https://www.petconnection.ie/blogs/pet-care-guides/what-size-dog-crate-do-i-need

What Should You Put in a Puppy Crate? Bedding, Water, Toys & Chews Explained
https://www.petconnection.ie/blogs/pet-care-guides/what-to-put-in-a-puppy-crate

Puppy Pen vs Dog Crate: Which Should You Use?
https://www.petconnection.ie/blogs/pet-care-guides/puppy-pen-vs-dog-crate

Wire vs Plastic Dog Crates: Which Is Best?
https://www.petconnection.ie/blogs/pet-care-guides/wire-vs-plastic-dog-crates

Shop Puppy Crates, Beds & Training Essentials

Dog Crates & Kennels
https://www.petconnection.ie/collections/crates-kennels

Dog Beds & Crate Bedding
https://www.petconnection.ie/collections/dog-beds

Dog Training Treats
https://www.petconnection.ie/collections/dog-training-treats

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https://www.petconnection.ie/collections/kong

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