What To Do If Your Puppy Won't Stop Barking In The Crate

If your puppy won’t stop barking in the crate, then it’s time to take action.

Because while nobody wants to think of their adorable new puppy being upset. One that barks consistently in the crate seems to suggest just that.

But is the solution really to simply let them out and consign the crate to the attic? …Maybe.

Crates aren’t the solution to every problem in life, and your pup’s not going to suffer as a result of not having one. But that doesn’t mean they can’t be hugely beneficial.

So take a minute to think back to why you introduced the crate in the first place.

Was it to give them somewhere cozy and quiet that they could retreat to?
Was it to help with potty training?
Was it so you could keep them safe when you’re not around to supervise?

Ultimately, all of those reasons still apply. And you shouldn’t simply forget about them because of a few barks.

Let’s get real for a sec. Training a puppy to do anything can be challenging.

They’re pumped full of energy, they’re testing boundaries, and they’re learning exactly what it means to be a dog.

And while this can be innocent enough at first, the downside is it’s not always easy to work with.

So regardless of what you’re teaching them, there will be challenges and setbacks along the way.

But does that mean you should give up at the first hurdle?

In a word… No.

Not if you want your pup to develop into a mature, well-adjusted dog.

So, sure. A puppy barking in the crate is a problem… for your ears, if nothing else.

But here’s the thing…

The barking will eventually stop. And even though it won’t happen overnight, there are still ways to effectively manage it without kicking the crate to the curb.

Now, the first step on the road to progress is teaching your puppy to be calm.

So before you do anything else, I’d highly recommend checking out the Puppy Coach Program from the Online Dog Trainer, Dan Abdelnoor. (see video below)

Because while ‘Calm’ might seem an alien concept to your pup right now, pretty soon, it’ll be effortless once you’ve introduced the simple calming techniques Dan recommends.

So watch the video, implement the training, and you’ll soon be looking at a puppy that’s capable of keeping their emotions firmly in check… something that’s going to be vital as you work on tackling the barking.

Here’s the video link to take a look: Click Here To Discover How To Finally Solve Your Puppy’s Obsessive, Annoying Barking Problem… While Setting A Solid Foundation For Your Pups Future!

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Why Won’t My Puppy Stop Barking in the Crate?

The first few weeks in a new home is an exciting time for a puppy. But make no mistake – it’s also fraught with challenges.

For a start, they’re missing their old family. Sure, they’ve got you now, but that doesn’t mean they don’t feel a pang when they think of their old life.

On top of that, there’s a ton of new rules to learn.

Where should they go to the potty?
When is it ok to jump around and play, and when should they be quiet?
What furniture is it ok to climb on, and what furniture should they leave well alone?

Usually, they’d have their mother and brothers and sisters to ask for guidance. But now it’s just them and a huge, shiny box that they’re suddenly being expected to sleep in.

Naturally enough, they’re overwhelmed. And even more naturally, they’re going to let you know about it by barking.

After all, barking is how they communicate. But is there something else that they’re trying to tell you? Something you really need to know about and act on?

Sometimes, sometimes not. Take a look at some of these common explanations for problematic crate behavior.

If you can work out which one most closely matches what’s happening in your own pup’s case, you’ll be one step closer to finding the solution.

They’re Frustrated and Bored

Until now, your puppy has probably had complete freedom.

If they want to play, they play…

…If they want to sleep, they simply flop down and take a nap.

A crate changes that. Suddenly, your pup has boundaries. And boy, do they not like them.

After weeks of doing what they please and going where they want, they’ve suddenly been thrust headfirst into the real world.

And the real world is about order, routine, and a lot more discipline than they’re used to.

Naturally, they’re going to get frustrated. If there’s nothing to do in the crate, they’re probably going to be a bit bored too.

Considering all that, it’s not too surprising that they’re going to try and get things back to how they used to be.

How do they do that? …By barking.

Because who knows… if they bark long enough, you might eventually relent and let them out.

Maybe they’ve already tried and succeeded. Maybe they barked so long and so hard the first night in the crate, you caved to the pressure.

It’s understandable if you did.

The problem is, dogs are quick learners. Once they learn that barking gets them what they want, there’s an excellent chance they’ll keep right on doing it.

They’re Scared

Frustration is one thing. Fear is another. Unlike frustration barking, fear barking implies a real problem that isn’t going to disappear of its own accord.

It’s not always easy to work out what’s behind the fear (it could be that they’ve had a poor experience with a crate in the past or their introduction to it was too rushed for comfort). But the signs are easy enough to read.

Whereas a puppy who’s frustrated will usually bark, play, scratch around, then bark some more, a puppy’s who’s scared will bark, whine and cry relentlessly.

They might also show other signs of anxiety, such as drooling, panting, and trembling. Worse still, they might try and scratch their way out of the crate, even at the risk of injuring themselves.

Sometimes, the fear will be limited to the crate. However, be mindful that it could be a sign of a generalized separation anxiety issue.

If it is, your puppy is likely to display signs of anxiety whenever they’re separated from you, regardless of whether a crate is involved or not.

They’re Lonely

Heartbreaking though it is to think of your puppy being lonely, they might well be.

Think of it from their perspective. There they were, happily surrounded by their mother and siblings. And then a stranger came along, kidnapped them, and is now holding them hostage in a strange house full of strange people.

Scary, right?

Understandably, they’re lonely. They’re missing their mom, they’re missing their brothers and sisters, and they’re missing everything they knew that was comforting and familiar.

So they call out to them, hoping that they’ll hear their barks and come rescue them.

The good news? It’ll pass. In a couple of weeks, your pup will be fine. But until then, expect some noise.

They Want Attention

Puppies like to be the center of attention. Most of the time, they don’t need to work too hard at it. After all, if there’s a puppy in the room, there’s a good chance all eyes are on it.

But if that attention suddenly stops (like when you put them in the crate and leave them to it), they’ll be only too happy to kick up a fuss and get it back.

Cue barking, whining, scratching, and other demand-seeking behaviors.

Make the mistake of giving them the attention they’re after, and they’ll soon figure out that barking is a great way of keeping them in the spotlight.

They’re Hungry

Puppies have tiny tummies that need to be filled regularly.

If it’s been a long time since their last meal, they might be feeling too hungry to settle down and get some sleep.

They Need a Potty Break

Crates can be incredibly useful tools in potty training. Dogs are naturally disinclined to pee or poop where they sleep. So getting them to sleep in a crate will naturally encourage them to exercise bladder control.

But there’s only so long a puppy can ‘hold it.’ If it’s been too long since their last bathroom break, they’ll alert you to the fact by barking or whining to be let out.

If they settle into the crate easily enough but wake you up with their barks a few hours later, it could simply be that they need to pay a visit to the yard.

How to Stop Your Puppy Barking in the Crate

If your puppy’s spending more time barking in their crate than anything else, then it’s time to take action.

The first step? …Figure out what’s making them bark.

It’s only by understanding the reason for your pup’s behavior that you can manage it appropriately.

A pup that’s barking out of frustration, for example, will need a very different approach to one that’s barking out of fear.

Second step? Take some time out and get up to speed on the Puppy Coach Program.

Regardless of what’s behind the barking, the calmer and more controlled your puppy is, the sooner you’ll start seeing positive changes.

Once you’ve got those two things under control, you can start bringing the barking to heel with the following solutions.

Create Positive Associations with the Crate

If your pup’s initial introduction to the crate wasn’t ideal, don’t panic. With time and a fresh technique, you can replace any negative associations they’ve developed with positive ones.

To start, keep the door of the crate permanently open. You can either remove it entirely or prop it open so there’s no risk of it closing with your puppy inside.

Next, start feeding your pup their meals at the edge of the crate. Depending on how comfortable they are, you can either place their bowl just inside the opening or just outside it.

Once they’re feeling comfortable eating by the crate, throw a few treats just inside the entrance to encourage them inside.

If all goes well, gradually throw the treats further back inside to entice them to stay inside for longer, or even hand feed them treats through the bars.

Once they’re happily going in and out of the crate, place a nice, juicy bone inside the crate and shut the door.

Wait for them to scratch at the entrance before letting them inside. And as soon as they’re engrossed in devouring the bone. Close the door, wait until they’ve finished the bone, and then let them out.

Over time, you can gradually work on lengthening the time they spend inside the crate.

Be warned: this isn’t a quick process. Some pups might take weeks or even months to get fully acclimatized to the crate.

So take your time. If you try and rush them before they’re ready, you’ll undo your hard work.

As you work on getting them used to the crate, remember to work in the training from The Puppy Coach Program whenever you can. It’ll make a big difference in just how readily and easily your pup takes to the process.

Take a Pee Break

If your pup needs to pee, they’re going to tell you about it. And so they should… the more often they tell us when they need to go, the fewer accidents there are to deal with.

Dodge an urgent dash to the yard by making sure they’ve had a chance to do their business before going into their crate.

A small snack around two hours before bedtime will reduce the midnight munchies, but avoid giving them a big meal in the hour leading up to it.

Wear Them Out

Ever heard the phrase ‘a tired dog is a happy dog?’

If not, then prepare to get familiar with it.

A puppy with energy to burn isn’t going to take kindly to being shut away in a crate. A puppy who’s been worn out with plenty of exercise and games will relish the opportunity.

Minimize the risk of your pup getting bored and frustrated in the crate by making sure they’re good and pooped before hitting the hay.

Make it Comfortable

No one wants to spend time in a cold, uncomfortable bed, not least your puppy.

Get them excited at the prospect of spending time in the crate by making it as comfortable and cozy as possible.

Add a few blankets for them to snuggle up in and take time to find the optimal spot to position it: ideally, it should be somewhere that’s warm, draft-free, and away from direct light sources.

Throw in a few chew toys and games for them to play with if they get bored and you’re done.

Teach Them to Be Calm

If there’s one thing that’s going to benefit your pup in almost every aspect of their life, it’s learning how to be calm.

A calm, focused dog is one that doesn’t let their emotions run away with them. An over-excitable, hyper dog is one who risks becoming a victim to their nerves.

But if you can teach your pup how to master their emotions, you’ll soon notice the difference, both inside the crate and out of it.

Again, try to make time to check out the Puppy Coach Program.

There’s nothing complicated or difficult about the techniques inside the program, so don’t worry if you’re a novice at training. But once you’ve introduced them to your pup, you’ll soon start to see a marked improvement in their behavior.

Wrapping Things Up

Unfortunately, puppies don’t come with a mute button. On the plus side, they do come with the capacity to learn.

Some might need more of a helping hand than others, but don’t give up at the first hurdle. If you believe the benefits of a crate outweigh the inconvenience of a bit of noise pollution, keep going.

Regardless of whether the barking is caused by frustration, boredom, fear, or anything else, no problem is unmanageable.

Find the cause, implement the solution, and with a healthy amount of kindness and patience, you’ll be at the finishing line before you know it.