Should I Ignore My Puppy Crying? The Ultimate Guide to Handling Puppy Tears

Let’s face it – those heartbreaking puppy cries can be torture for new pet parents! When your furry bundle of joy starts wailing from their crate your first instinct might be to rush over and comfort them. But is that actually the right move? Should you ignore your puppy crying or respond immediately?

As a dog trainer and longtime pet parent, I’ve been through this emotional rollercoaster many times. In this comprehensive guide, I’ll share everything you need to know about handling puppy crying – when to respond, when to ignore, and how to make crate time a positive experience for your four-legged friend

Why Do Puppies Cry in Their Crate?

Before deciding whether to ignore your puppy’s cries, it’s important to understand why they’re crying in the first place. Here are the most common reasons puppies cry in their crates:

1. They’re scared – A puppy who has never been introduced to a crate may cry because they’re in an unfamiliar location They may be scared or frustrated that they can’t leave

2. They miss their littermates – Remember, your puppy has just been separated from their siblings and mother. Being alone for the first time can be frightening!

3. They’re distressed – Puppies left alone while their pet parents run errands may become distressed by the separation.

4. They want attention – Sometimes puppies cry simply because they want to interact with family members moving around the house.

5. They need to pee – A puppy who’s been in the crate for too long may bark, cry, or whine when they need a bathroom break.

Is It Normal for Puppies to Cry in Their Crate?

YES! It’s completely normal for puppies to cry in their crates, especially during the first few nights in their new home. Think about it – they’ve gone from sleeping with warm, cuddly littermates to being alone in a strange environment.

Puppies who haven’t been crate-trained before coming home often show distress by crying, whining, barking, or howling. While this is normal, we still want to minimize their stress as much as possible.

Should I Ignore My Puppy Crying? The Truth Revealed

Ahh, the million-dollar question! The answer isn’t a simple yes or no – it depends on the situation. Here’s my approach:

When to Ignore Puppy Crying (Briefly)

When you first place your puppy in their crate and walk away, it’s okay to ignore their initial cries for about 1-2 minutes. They might simply be “contact calling” to make sure you’re nearby. If they settle down within this timeframe, great!

If the crying continues beyond 2 minutes, you can make a brief verbal response to let them know you’re still there. Something like, “It’s okay buddy, time to sleep” in a calm voice. This step can be repeated 2-3 times.

When NOT to Ignore Puppy Crying

If the crying persists or escalates in frequency and duration, it’s time to check on your pup. I know many pet parents worry that responding to crying will reinforce the behavior, but comfort is crucial if they’re genuinely distressed.

Here are situations when you should NEVER ignore your puppy crying:

• When they need to go potty (especially young puppies)
• If they sound panicked or in distress
• If they might be hurt or sick
• Their first few nights home (they need reassurance)
• If they’ve been in the crate for a long time

How to Respond When Your Puppy Cries

If you’ve determined your puppy needs attention, here’s how to respond effectively:

1. Wait for a brief pause – If possible, try to wait for even a momentary break in the crying before entering. This avoids directly reinforcing the crying behavior.

2. Make a distracting sound – A light knock on the wall or another novel sound can temporarily distract and interrupt the crying before you enter.

3. Stay calm – When you approach the crate, keep your energy low and soothing. Excited greetings can make crate time seem like a big deal.

4. Assess their needs – Check if they need to potty, are thirsty, or if something else is wrong.

5. Provide brief comfort – A gentle pet or soothing word can help reassure them without making a big production of it.

8 Tips to Prevent Puppy Crying in the Crate

1. Make the Crate a Positive Place

Your puppy’s crate should be their safe haven, not a prison! I always place some of these items in my puppy’s crate:

• Comfortable dog bed (if they won’t chew it)
• Age-appropriate puppy toys
• An item with your scent on it
• A ticking clock wrapped in a towel (mimics heartbeat)

Consider using dog-appeasing pheromones like ThunderEase near the crate, which sends chemical messages of safety and security to your puppy.

2. Strategic Crate Placement

Where you put the crate matters! During the day, keep the crate in the room where your family spends most of their time. At night, have a second crate in your bedroom so your puppy doesn’t feel abandoned.

3. Provide Enough Bathroom Breaks

One of the most common reasons puppies cry is because they need to potty! Use this simple formula to determine how many hours your pup can hold their bladder:

Puppy’s age in months + 1 = Maximum hours they can hold it

For example:

• 2-month-old puppy = 3 hours max
• 4-month-old puppy = 5 hours max

If your puppy is having accidents, take them out more frequently.

4. Gradual Crate Training

Rushing crate training is a recipe for disaster! Start with very short periods (5-10 minutes) with you in the room, then gradually increase duration as your puppy becomes comfortable.

5. Tire Them Out First

A tired puppy is a quiet puppy! Before crate time, engage in appropriate play:

• Tug with a puppy tug toy
• Chase games with a flirt pole
• Puzzle toys that make them think
• Frozen treats in a puppy KONG

However, note that if your puppy already dislikes the crate, even exhaustion won’t prevent crying.

6. Establish a Bedtime Routine

Dogs thrive on routine! Create a consistent bedtime ritual:

1. Evening potty break
2. Calm playtime
3. Last potty break
4. Soothing words as you place them in the crate
5. Maybe a special bedtime-only treat

7. Use White Noise or Calming Music

Playing calming music or white noise next to the crate can help soothe your puppy and mask household sounds that might startle them.

8. Cover the Crate (Partially)

Covering the crate with a blanket can create a calm, den-like environment and block out visual distractions. Just make sure to leave one side uncovered for ventilation!

Special Nighttime Tips

Nighttime is often when puppy crying becomes most challenging for pet parents. Here are some specific tips for bedtime:

1. Place the crate near your bed – Your puppy can hear and smell you, which is reassuring.

2. Hang your fingers in the crate – Sometimes just touching your puppy through the crate door can help them settle.

3. Set an alarm – For very young puppies, set an alarm to take them out for a potty break before they start crying. This prevents them from associating crying with being let out.

4. Use a stuffed animal with a heartbeat – Several companies make plush toys with artificial heartbeats that can comfort your puppy.

When to Seek Professional Help

While crying is normal, excessive distress might indicate a problem. Seek help from a veterinary behaviorist or certified animal behaviorist if:

• Your puppy screams for hours despite your best efforts
• They seem excessively fearful or panicked in the crate
• They hurt themselves trying to escape
• You’re not making progress after several weeks

Common Questions About Puppy Crying

How long is it OK to let a puppy cry in a crate?

It’s okay to let a puppy cry for a few minutes to give them a chance to self-soothe. However, if the crying persists beyond 2-3 minutes or escalates to desperate wails, it’s time to check on them.

Does putting a blanket over a dog crate help?

Yes! Covering the crate can create a calm, den-like environment and block distractions that might prevent your puppy from settling. Just make sure to leave one side uncovered for proper ventilation.

Why is my puppy screaming in their crate for hours?

Your puppy should NOT be screaming for hours in their crate. This level of distress could mean they’re scared, hurt, hungry, or need to potty. It could also indicate separation anxiety or that you’re moving too quickly with crate training.

My Experience

In my years of training puppies, I’ve found that a balanced approach works best. Complete ignoring can traumatize sensitive puppies, while rushing to comfort every whimper can create a manipulative dog.

Last year, I got my Lab puppy, Max. The first night, I placed his crate next to my bed and hung my fingers through the door when he whimpered. By night three, he was sleeping through the night with only minimal fussing at bedtime.

The key was consistency, patience, and making the crate a wonderful place to be! Now he goes in voluntarily for naps, even when the door is open.

Final Thoughts

Remember, your puppy is just a baby in a strange new world. While some brief crying is normal during adjustment periods, prolonged distress is neither necessary nor beneficial for development.

The goal is to teach your puppy that being alone is okay and that their crate is a safe, comfortable space – not to “toughen them up” through crying it out.

With patience, consistency, and the tips I’ve shared, you and your puppy will get through this challenging phase and develop a strong, trusting relationship.

Do you have a puppy who’s struggling with crate training? What methods have worked for you? Share your experiences in the comments below!