The first few days after bringing a new puppy home are exciting, but they can also be stressful for you and your pet. and A puppy. Nothing is more important than getting your new puppy used to its crate during the first few days.
When done right, crate training teaches your puppy independence and provides a safe place to escape to when he needs a break or is feeling overwhelmed.
But what if your puppy is crying in his crate? What should you do?
Is it normal for a puppy to cry in its crate?
In our society, it is common for puppies to be adopted or sold to owners once they reach adulthood. 8 weeks old. Puppies can become scared when they go from sleeping with their mother and siblings every night to sleeping alone.
Puppies that are not crate trained before their owners bring them home may show signs of distress by crying, whining, barking or howling if left alone in a crate. This is normal behavior for a puppy who has been separated from his peers.
Why does my puppy cry in his crate?
there are many Reasons and situations when your puppy might cry in the crate:
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A puppy who is not used to being crated may cry because he is in an unfamiliar place and may be scared or frustrated that he cannot go outside and his movement is restricted.
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A puppy that has just been brought home and put into a crate to sleep may cry because he is now lonely and wants the company and warmth of his siblings.
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A puppy that is crated while you go out for errands may become anxious about being left alone at home.
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A puppy that is crated while other family members are in the house and moving around may be frustrated that he can’t interact with them. He may be calling out to the family to let him out of the crate.
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Puppies that have been crated for long periods of time may bark, cry or whine when they need to go to the bathroom.
How to get your puppy to stop crying in his crate
There are a few ways to stop your puppy from crying in his crate.
Ignoring your puppy’s cries
You can also ignore your puppy’s initial cries as you put him in his crate and walk away – he’s likely whining to let you know if you’re nearby. If you don’t respond immediately and your puppy calms down within a few minutes, there’s no need to come back into the room.
However, if your puppy’s crying continues for more than about two minutes, you can respond to your puppy’s crying with a few words. This procedure can be repeated two or three times.
Make your puppy feel safe
If the whining continues and escalates in frequency and length, return to the room. Many owners worry that the arrival of a puppy will intensify the crying, but it is important to comfort your puppy if he is distressed.
Traumatic or stressful events experienced during a puppy’s early life can negatively impact their ability to cope with stressors and become more resilient.
Owners who are hesitant to enter the room when their puppy is crying can wait until the puppy has stopped crying for a moment before entering the room, or they can make an unusual noise, such as tapping on a wall, to temporarily distract and interrupt the puppy’s crying before entering the room.
It’s important to comfort your puppy if he is distressed – traumatic or stressful events during his early life can negatively impact his ability to cope with stressors and develop resilience.
Reduce your puppy’s alone time
If your puppy won’t stop crying in the crate, it’s a sign that you need to gradually spend more time alone with your puppy. Crate training should be done slowly and at a pace that your puppy feels comfortable with. You may be leaving your puppy alone for periods of time that he isn’t ready for.
Make the crate a positive place
Make sure your puppy has a positive experience being in the crate. The crate should be in a room where the family spends most of their time. Ideally, you’ll have one crate for your puppy to use during the day and another in your bedroom for him to sleep in at night.
The crate should be a comfortable place for your puppy. Comfortable bed and stuffed toyYou can also use dog-calming pheromones to send chemical messages of safety and security to your crying puppy and play calming music next to his cage.
Allow enough bathroom breaks
Puppies often cry when they need to urinate or defecate, and because they can only hold their bladder for a short time, owners need to give them plenty of potty breaks.
To find out how many hours your puppy can go between potty breaks, add 1 to his age in months. For example, a 2-month-old puppy can hold his pee for up to 3 hours. A 4-month-old puppy can hold his pee for up to 5 hours.
Give your puppy plenty of exercise
Tiredness may also help your puppy fall asleep faster when locked up. To truly tire your puppy out, you’ll need to play with him for a fairly long period of time.
However, if your puppy develops negative associations with being left in the crate, he may start to whine or resist being left alone in it, no matter how tired he is, and may begin to scream, scratch or bite the crate door or sides.
Should I be worried if my puppy cries in his crate?
Crying in the crate is normal if your puppy is left completely alone without being properly acclimated to it, but if your puppy seems overly scared or stressed and crate training isn’t progressing, seek professional help from a Certified Veterinary Behaviorist or Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist.
Featured Image: Adobe/Petra Richli
