Should You Let Your Puppy Cry It Out in the Crate?

• Not a substitute for professional veterinary help.

Puppies crying in the crate can be stressful—for them and for you. It’s a common challenge in crate training, and a normal one for lots of puppies. The younger and the less socialized a puppy is, the more likely they are to cry in their crate.

Just because crate whining is expected, though, doesn’t mean you should always let your puppy cry it out. Fear-free certified dog trainer Rachel Lane, founder of Leash and Learn, explains that it’s important to recognize when your puppy needs help versus when they’re just adjusting. With the right approach, you can make crate training a positive experience and shape your puppy’s long-term comfort with their crate.

In this article, we’ll cover why puppies cry in the crate, when to step in, when to wait it out, and how to set your puppy up for success.

Reasons Puppies Cry in Their Crate

Puppies cry in their crate for lots of reasons—some minor, some potentially more serious. Here are some common reasons puppies whine in their crate:

• Unfamiliar with the crate. A puppy’s crate is a new space, and they may need time to adjust.
• Feeling alone. Most puppies are used to sleeping in a pile with their littermates and mom and may feel confused when suddenly left on their own.
• Boredom. Without enough mental or physical stimulation, a puppy may whine in the crate out of frustration.
• Wants attention. Some puppies cry simply because they want to interact with you.
• Wants to exercise. If your puppy hasn’t had enough play time, they may resist settling down.
• Needs the bathroom. Young puppies have small bladders and may cry when they need to go out.
• Testing boundaries. Puppies learn through trial and error, and some will cry to see if you will let them out.
• Overtired and struggling to self-regulate. Just like toddlers, exhausted puppies can become fussy.
• Anxiety. Lane says a puppy who is not fully crate trained might feel scared, anxious, or frustrated and cry in the crate.

Puppy Crate Meltdowns: How Long Should They Last?

It can be tough listening to your puppy cry in the crate, especially if you’re a first-time dog parent. How long should you let them cry in the crate before intervening?

“If a puppy cries for a few minutes and then falls asleep, it’s generally okay. When it starts to last more than 10-15 minutes, you may need to intervene,” advises Lane.

Lane adds that intervention is necessary if your puppy shows signs of extreme distress, such as:

• Attempting to escape
• Spinning in circles repeatedly
• Constant barking with few to no breaks
• Panting, drooling, or physically shaking
• Biting the crate bars or hurting themselves

If your puppy is showing any of these behaviors, it’s probably time to step in. Here’s what to do in the moment:

1. Pause and assess. Listen and watch them carefully to determine if their behavior is subsiding or escalating.
2. Try a calming cue. A soft “Shh” or “You’re okay” might be enough to soothe a puppy, or even some gentle pets.
3. Redirect with a chew or toy. If your puppy continues to cry, try giving them a safe, crate-appropriate toy to help them self-soothe.
4. Try a reset. If the meltdown continues, consider a short break from the crate before calmly reintroducing it to them.

Handling your puppy’s crate crying at night

Transitioning to a new home can be overwhelming and scary for puppies, especially on the first night. It can take a while for your puppy to adjust to sleeping solo.

To help your puppy get used to being in a crate at night, start by creating positive associations with the crate. That means rewarding them with puppy treats, toys, and praise any time they enter it, day or night.

If your puppy cries at night in their crate, take them out calmly for a quick potty break, then place them back in the crate. Don’t make a big fuss or take any exciting detours. This will help your puppy learn to settle quietly in the crate once their needs are met, while still allowing them to be vocal when they’re genuinely uncomfortable.

How To Soothe Your Puppy When They’re Crying in the Crate

It’s tough to hear your puppy cry in their crate, but there are things you can do to help them feel more secure. According to Lane, the goal isn’t to silence them or leave them until they “get over it,” but to teach them that the crate is a safe and comfortable space.

Try these strategies to help your puppy settle in their crate.

Place the crate closer to you

Is your puppy crying when you leave the room? Try keeping the crate in your bedroom or near where you spend time. Being close to you can help them feel safe. Over time, you can gradually move the crate to a different spot.

Comfort your puppy without taking them out

If your puppy is whining but not in distress, try speaking to them softly or placing your hand near the crate. Sometimes, just knowing you’re close is enough to calm them down.

Play some soothing music

If your puppy is still crying in the crate, Lane says gentle background noise, like classical music or white noise, can help create a calming environment for them.

Make the crate cozier

A soft puppy bed, blanket, or even an old T-shirt that smells like you can help your puppy feel more at ease. Just make sure they’re not chewing or ingesting anything unsafe.

Covering the crate

Some puppies feel more secure when their crate is covered, creating a cozier space. If you try this, make sure there’s plenty of airflow and monitor their response, because some puppies prefer an open view instead.

Give them a lickable toy

A safe, lickable toy can be a great way to keep your puppy occupied.

“It can help create a positive association with the crate while also giving them an activity to do until they fall asleep,” says Lane. “But only give a lickable toy if you have determined it is safe for your dog to have it unsupervised.”

Meet physical needs

Take your puppy out of the crate for a potty break, water, and a little wind-down time.

Exercise them

A well-exercised puppy is a sleepy puppy! Make sure they’ve had enough physical activity and mental stimulation and enrichment.

Feed in the crate

Feeding your puppy in their crate helps create positive associations with the space.

Place the puppy in the crate when they’re asleep

If possible, let your puppy doze off outside the crate, then gently move them inside. This can help them get used to waking up in the crate without stress.

Make crate time shorter

If your puppy is still struggling with spending time in their crate, start with short crate sessions and gradually increase the time. Keep it positive by rewarding them for calm behavior and avoid using the crate as punishment.

When To Get Help for Your Puppy Crying in the Crate

Crate training a puppy isn’t always smooth sailing. Some crying is completely normal, if your puppy is showing signs of extreme distress, there may be a bigger issue at play, such as separation anxiety or generalized anxiety.

If you think your puppy has anxiety, it may be time to seek professional help. A trainer experienced in fear-free methods can help you crate train your puppy safely.

“It’s always a good idea to proactively work with a trainer,” says Lane. “Addressing behavior concerns and challenges early on always saves time, money, and energy in the long run.”

If your puppy still struggles despite training adjustments, a trip to the vet can rule out any underlying health issues that might be contributing to your puppy’s stress.

Should you let your puppy sleep in the bed with you?

As for letting your puppy sleep in bed with you, Lane says it’s important to wait until they are fully potty trained and past the chewing phase.

“Being in bed without being potty trained can set potty training back, and chewing random items in the room overnight can be super dangerous,” she adds.

If you want your puppy to eventually sleep in your bed, you can transition them once they have better bladder control and there’s less risk of them getting into something they’re not supposed to.