is an important step in pet ownership and covering your dog’s crate at night is recommended for many dogs, but not for every dog. Some dogs may love the security provided by a darkened, enclosed space, while others can feel anxious in a confined area.
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Cathy is the lead instructor at Pupstanding Academy and a Preventive Vets dog behavior expert. She focuses on fostering strong bonds between people and their pets through open communication, positive reinforcement, and the use of non-coercive training techniques. She has had the chance to work with hundreds of dogs on a variety of training and behavior issues over the course of her more than 13 years of experience. Dog aggression, resource guarding, separation anxiety, and puppy socialization are some of her areas of expertise.
Cathy holds the CPDT-KA and CBCC-KA certifications from the Certification Council of Professional Dog Trainers. Cathy is a member of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers, the Pet Professional Guild, and the Dog Writers Association of America. She is also a Fear Free Certified Certified Professional.
She enjoys reading, hiking with her two Cardigan Welsh Corgis, and paddleboarding when she’s not obsessing over dogs.
Areas to avoid when choosing a crate location
When deciding where to put your dog’s crate—a location other than your bedroom—first look around for any potential hazards. Dogs and puppies alike will attempt to reach through the crate’s bars in search of anything they can chew on or destroy. Keep all plants, especially poisonous ones, out of the area.
You should also stay away from areas where people move around a lot, like busy walkways and hallways. Your dog will believe that someone is going to let him out soon if you place his crate in an area where people are frequently passing by. Your dog may have a much harder time settling down as a result and will actually experience more anxiety as a result.
Your dog shouldn’t be entirely cut off from the family, just as he shouldn’t be in a busy area. Avoid areas where your dog might feel alone because they are too quiet.
Power cords are also dangerous. Your dog could suffer serious injuries if he can access the cords inside the crate to chew on them. Remove any cords first if they are in the area where you want to put the crate. Your dog doesn’t need to take up chewing on these cords whether it is plugged in or not. Especially while in his dog’s crate at night.
Avoid exposure to direct sunlight, direct air conditioning, and direct heat. Think about the windows when choosing a location for the crate. Puppies and dogs should not be near a heater, fireplace, or air conditioner as they have no way to move out of the air path, and will they allow direct sunlight into the room and into the crate? Always make sure the temperature in the crate is comfortable.
Don’t put the dog crate outside. It’s extremely risky to leave your dog outside by himself in a crate, regardless of how nice the weather is and how much your dog enjoys being outside. Through the crate bars, predators may approach him, terrifying him and possibly causing harm. He can become lost if he manages to get out of the crate. Someone can open the crate and steal him. It’s never a good idea to leave your dog outside in a crate by himself, not even in a locked and secure backyard.
What can I do to comfort him in his dog’s crate at night?
When your puppy first enters his dog crate at night, it’s normal for him to feel scared and unsure. You can add a few items to the crate to help him remain calm. The best items are those that can be easily washed, such as bedding that can be machine washed in case of a toilet accident. Durable chew toys are good. You can also put warm water in a large water bottle to give the puppy the impression that his siblings are cuddling up to him. Avoid anything soft if you have a chewing puppy until he has shown he won’t chew his bedding. Until he’s a little older, you might just want to cover the bottom of the crate with puppy pads.
Give your puppy some time to calm down if he whines to come out even though you know he doesn’t need to go potty. He will learn that he can cry in the crate for as long as he wants to just because he doesn’t want to be there and that eventually he will get to leave if you open the door and take him outside to play or cuddle. You can reassure him if the crate is in your bedroom by speaking in a reassuring tone, placing your hand by the crate so he knows you’re there, and letting him hear your breathing. He should relax and spend the night in his dog’s crate if he doesn’t feel alone. Then he’ll discover what night is and that his crate is where he sleeps.
How can I tell if my dog has separation anxiety?
When a dog is overly dependent on its owner and feels overwhelmed when left alone, separation anxiety develops. WebMD lists the following as symptoms of separation anxiety:
Contact a specialist right away if you suspect your dog is experiencing separation anxiety.
FAQ
Do you cover the entire dog crate at night?
By covering your puppy’s crate, you can reduce light exposure and help block out noises that might awaken them. Some puppies thrive with their entire crate covered, while others require at least the crate door to be left open so they don’t feel lonely or overly confining.
Does putting a blanket over a dog crate help?
By limiting visual stimuli, covering your dog’s crate with a blanket can soothe your dog and ultimately lessen anxiety. Placing a soothing dog bed inside the crate will help your dog even more when they are feeling anxious.