We got a new puppy and she’s not crate trained yet. She’s been whining, and we’re working on it. Her whining is getting better but not consistent. So, when is it okay to let her sleep in the crate, even if she’s still whining? Or should we just leave her in the crate and correct the whining?
Not sure. My dog slept in my bed with me since the first night I brought him home.
ChrisH said:
Not sure. My dog slept in my bed with me since the first night I brought him home.
Same here. He sleeps like a baby 
I’ve never crate trained any of my dogs. Seems like everyone thinks it’s a must, but I don’t get it unless there’s a real reason.
NICKY said:
I’ve never crate trained any of my dogs. Seems like everyone thinks it’s a must, but I don’t get it unless there’s a real reason.
Crate training can keep them safe when you’re not around, like if you’re cooking or showering. It also helps teach them to settle down and can be useful later in life, like when they need restricted movement due to an injury. My older dog had an operation and had to stay in a crate for 6 weeks. If he hadn’t been crate trained as a puppy, it would’ve been much harder for him.
Why do you want her to sleep in the crate? If she’s not being destructive, just leave the crate open.
DonnaHernandez said:
Why do you want her to sleep in the crate? If she’s not being destructive, just leave the crate open.
That’s a great question. I see a lot of trainers saying that puppies need to be crate trained, but I’m starting to think it’s mainly for preventing destruction or potty training, and it’s not something you have to keep doing forever. Does that sound right?
@Cyprian
Yeah, crate training for a few hours is fine, like for car rides. But for potty training, it’s more about their bladder, and if they have accidents, it speeds things up. As for destruction, a contained dog can’t destroy things, but ask yourself if it’s worth keeping them in a small space with no fun for hours just to save a few shoes or some furniture. Over here in France, we don’t really use crates, and well-trained puppies don’t cause problems.
Cyprian said:
@DonnaHernandez
Thanks. That’s something to think about.
I have two dogs and don’t use crates. My older dog had a terrible first owner and was crated for 23 hours a day. I refused to crate him after that, even though I lost a few shoes in the beginning. My younger dog came from a shelter, and he hated crates, so I didn’t use one for him either. Sure, he destroyed a bit of furniture, but nothing major. Now, both dogs just rotate between the couch, the bed, and their dog beds. I work from home, and they just sleep all day. They’re fine without crates.
A lot of dogs will whine when they first go in a crate. It takes time, but it gets better. You’re doing great working with her during the day. Try feeding her in the crate and using high-value treats as rewards when she’s in there. A stuffed Kong or something like that might help. You can also cover the crate to make it feel more den-like and block distractions. Start crate training at night, even if she whines. The more you let her sleep outside the crate, the harder it will be for her to adjust. If she’s really young (under 16 weeks), you might need to let her out for a bathroom break during the night. Just make sure she understands it’s for bathroom time, not playtime.
You have to ignore the whining. She’s testing you to see if you’ll react. If you comfort her or let her out when she’s whining, she’ll keep doing it. Try giving her a favorite chew or something that smells like you, along with a comfy bed and a toy. If that doesn’t work, try covering the crate with a light blanket. When she can’t see you, she’ll stop whining. Keep practicing during the day with short periods so she gets used to it. Eventually, she’ll see the crate as a safe space. It takes time but stick with it.
Leave the door open at first, and put some treats in the crate so she can go in and out freely. Then, try closing the door for a minute at a time, gradually increasing the time. You can even feed her in the crate to make it a positive place. They will whine at first, but they’ll learn the crate is a safe spot, and they’ll get used to it over time.
Is the crate in your bedroom? If not, she might be scared. If it is, make sure she’s going in by herself. Toss a few treats in the crate and tell her to ‘go to bed,’ then close the door for a minute. Increase the time until she’s staying in for 30 minutes, then gradually extend it. Once she’s used to being in there, you can turn off the lights and let her cry it out. It may take a day or two, but she’ll eventually adjust. Once she’s potty trained, she’ll be able to join you in bed in the morning. After that, the crate is just like a dog house with the door open.
I think of the crate as a safe space for my dog. It helps him stay calm and gives him a break when things are too exciting. I had to crate train him, and sometimes he’ll bark, but not for long. I started by putting him in for short times and rewarding him when he stayed calm for a couple of minutes. Gradually, I extended the time. He now relaxes in the crate when things get too busy around the house. When I leave, the door stays open, and he goes in on his own.
She’s whining because she wants out. Deciding whether to respond is up to you. It’s like the ‘cry it out’ method with babies. If you know she’s fine, you can ignore the cries and eventually she’ll stop. Some think this method is cruel, but it’s part of learning. It’s the same as when a toddler cries at a baby gate, but you don’t always give in. If you crate your puppy when you leave, she’ll whine when you’re gone, but eventually she’ll stop once she learns you’re not responding. When you’re home, it’s different because you can hear her, but it’s okay. Let her whine, she’ll learn not to expect a response, and this might help when you’re potty training later.