What Is the Right Way To Crate a Puppy at Night?

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Is your new puppy crushing their crate training during the day but having trouble sleeping and settling in it at night? If you’re experiencing sleepless nights and don’t know what to do, you’re not alone.

Puppies typically sleep between 10 and 18 hours every 24-hour cycle, but it’s not uncommon for a new pup to have trouble sleeping throughout the night.

“Going into the crate at night can be stressful due to the length of isolation,” says Weronika Evans, CPDT-KA, a dog trainer on Rover. “Depending on the setup, the puppy might not be able to see or hear their owners, which can trigger a stronger sense of separation.” They may begin to feel anxious, bored, and lonely once their family hits the hay.

The good news is that making a few tweaks to your training approach can really make a difference. And by staying consistent with training, many puppies will ideally sleep through the night by four months old.
In this guide, we’ll cover specific steps for crate training a puppy at night. We’ll also offer tips on addressing puppy whining and potty breaks, ways to improve your nighttime setup, and when to consider working with a professional trainer.

5 Steps To Crate Training a Puppy at Night

To help your puppy settle in for the night, follow these five crate training steps.

Step 1: Place the crate in your bedroom

Place your puppy’s crate in the same room you sleep in, so at night they know you’re near and they aren’t missing out on anything fun. Having the crate in your bedroom also makes it easy to hear them if they need to go potty, so you can quickly take them outside and then both promptly go back to bed.

Step 2: Make the crate cozy

If your puppy isn’t destructive, add a comfy bed to their crate. Otherwise, line the base with a cozy blanket and an old t-shirt that has your scent. For young puppies, placing a soothing heartbeat toy in the crate at night may reduce anxiety by replicating the sensation of snuggling with littermates.

Step 3: Create a bedtime routine

Encourage your puppy to get their zoomies out in the evening with a play session or a romp outside. If your puppy gets wound up during the “witching hour,” choose a more low-key option instead, like a slow, sniffy walk or a training session at home. You can also give your puppy a lick mat or stuffed KONG to signal that it’s time to settle down for the night.

Try to follow the same schedule every night, so your puppy begins to understand that these steps all lead to them settling in for the night.

Step 4: Go outside for one last potty

Right before bed, go outside for one last potty. Potty training goes hand-in-hand with crate training. Taking a trip outside just before bed can curb the chance of a midnight wakeup call.

Step 5: Encourage your puppy to go into their crate

Use a “bedtime” cue and move to the bedroom. Try not to carry your puppy into the crate, as you want them to learn to go in on their own on cue. Instead, guide your puppy into their crate with relaxed body language, a treat, and praise.

You may need to spend the first few nights sitting by the crate for a few minutes, praising and petting them through the crate, to show your pup that you don’t plan on leaving them. Once they’ve settled, you can move away.

Handling Crying and Potty Breaks

Knowing when to let your pup out during the night can be tricky. When do you ignore your puppy’s whines and when do you address them? Here’s a clear breakdown of how to handle puppy crying and potty breaks, without breaking your nighttime routine.

Ignore initial whining 

Your pup may whine when you first put them in the crate or through the night if they want attention. This typically sounds like brief, intermittent whimpering. Wait 5 to 10 minutes, and if the whining decreases in intensity and frequency, you can let them self-soothe and fall back asleep.

Address true distress

However, you should never ignore a puppy who is in true distress. Letting them “cry it out” will only build negative associations with the crate. Distress signals typically sound like high-pitched screaming and are often accompanied by frantic pawing or chewing at the crate.

To help your puppy out, move to the crate calmly and speak in a reassuring voice until the panic subsides. If your puppy is in a full meltdown and you need to let them out, try moving them to an open but secure area in your room like behind a playpen or gate.

Keep potty breaks quick and no-fuss

If your puppy has been sleeping soundly for a few hours and then starts fussing—whining, scratching, or pacing—it likely signals they need a potty break. As you take your puppy out, keep your house lights dim and your tone neutral. Lead them directly from their crate to their outdoor spot to do their business. As soon as they finish (or don’t go after 5 minutes), lead them straight back to their crate to settle back in for the night.

This no-fuss routine teaches your puppy that these midnight breaks are boring and solely for potty time, not play or attention.

Tips To Improve Crate Training at Night

Here are a few additional things you can try to help your puppy sleep better through the night in their crate.

• Work on crate training during the day. Continue to build a positive association with being inside the crate as you work on crate training throughout the day. Never use the crate as punishment, and avoid sending your puppy to it when they’re being naughty, as it can cause fear and anxiety around the crate.
• Give your puppy plenty of physical and mental stimulation. Puppies require lots of exercise and enrichment. Throughout the day, make sure they have toys to play with, the chance to sniff and explore outside, and the opportunity to run around. This will better set them up to relax at night.
• Try covering the crate. This creates a den-like atmosphere and blocks out any light, signaling it’s time for rest.
• Turn on background noise. A white noise machine, music, or TV at a low volume can help block out noises from outside or in your house at night, helping your puppy relax and sleep better.
• Consider setting a potty break timer. While your puppy should let you know when they need to go outside, it can be helpful to set a timer for that late-night bathroom break. As your puppy gets used to this routine, gradually push the timer back, eventually extending it to morning.

Getting Professional Help

While a small amount of fussiness can be normal, certain behaviors are clear signs that a puppy is experiencing genuine distress rather than just mild protest, says Evans.

“Pet parents should consult a professional trainer if their puppy refuses to step a single foot inside the crate, panics with intense barking, whining, or pacing once the door is closed, or starts biting and chewing at the crate bars,” she adds. “These extreme reactions indicate that the puppy feels unsafe, and a professional can guide the family through a proper training plan to prevent the distress from escalating.”

According to Evans, a trainer can help break the crate training process down into manageable steps. “To change the puppy’s emotional response to crating, trainers introduce fun crate games and practical tips that build strong, positive associations with the space,” she explains. “They can help create alternative arrangements to ensure the puppy is never forced into stressful situations while still learning to feel safe in the crate.”

Finding the right trainer on Rover

If you’re struggling with crate training at night, don’t hesitate to ask for help. Sleep deprivation is real. And at the end of a very long, sleepless night, not being able to show up clear-eyed during the day won’t help you or your pup.

To find a dog trainer near you, Rover makes it easy to filter for puppy training. From there, you can find trainers who offer consultations—virtually or in-person—to help with your unique crate training situation.