Crate training is not difficult if a dog owner follows the training process effectively and accurately. Dogs may bark for attention during the initial stages of crate introduction. To find out more about how to stop dog barking in crate, continue reading.
Continuous barking, even after successful crate training, may mean something different. You can get more information about whether you should crate train your dog or not, and what these barks may mean by clicking on this article: Here’s what you should know about a dog barking in a crate.
Why do dogs bark? What should you do when a dog keeps barking?
Dogs bark for many different reasons, from being excited and curious, being hungry and needing to relieve themselves. Barking is the most obvious way for dogs to communicate with humans and other species. It is natural, but sometimes, incessant barking turns into an annoying problem. This problem arises when a dog learns to bark for food and treats or companionship.
So what should you do when your dog keeps barking for the sole purpose of companionship or treats? The first thing to understand is that checking on your dog every time it barks or giving your dog treats to keep it quiet is the worst thing you can do.
Shouting or punishing your dog when it barks is also not the way to solve this problem. Regardless of whether it is positive or negative attention, the dog will learn that barking continuously helps in getting what it wants. These are the basics of learning how to stop a dog from barking, whether it is at night or day.
Answering an FAQ
How do I stop my dog barking at night?
Many dog owners go through one common problem; the problem where their dogs keep barking, especially during the night. It may be well-behaved and calm during the day, but as the sun sets, and the time to sleep arrives, the dog starts to bark and cause a ruckus. They may be barking to ward off intruders or strangers, but this type of barks stop after some time.
So the question, “how do I stop my dog barking at night” comes into the minds of the dog owners. Before getting into the solution, it is crucial to know what causes this behavior:
Introducing the crate life to the dog
Switching the dog’s sleeping place from an open space or a bed to a confined space in the form of a crate. Newly adopted puppies do not learn how to sleep alone instantly. Giving them attention, whether positive or negative, when the dog starts to bark at night.
The barkings may become worse, but there is a solution. The main thing here is to teach them that their barks will not help them to get what they want. Here is a solution to how to stop dog barking at night:
Dog owners must learn to ignore the barks. Yes, it can be difficult, but this is the only what a puppy or dog will learn that they will not get anything in response to this bad behavior. Do not give your dog treats or pet them when they bark at night. Do not scold or punish your dog in response to their barks.
After some time, the dog will realize that the dog owner does not come even if it barks. Thus, it will stop barking eventually, giving you a solution to how to stop dog barking.
Why should you consider crate training your dog?
Crate training a dog has many benefits for both the dog and the dog owner. A crate provides a place of comfort and relaxation for dogs once they get used to spending time there. It is advantageous for the dog owner because they can temporarily lock it during times of travel and house parties.
How long does it take to crate train a dog which has no prior crate experience?
Puppies and dogs which have never stayed in a crate will take comparatively longer to get used to the crate life. These puppies and dogs never slept alone or in a confined space, so they find the crate slightly overwhelming. It usually takes a few days or a few weeks for puppies and new dogs to get used to sleeping or relaxing in the crate.
Puppies may bark through the night during the initial stages of the crate introduction. Puppies have smaller bladders than adult dogs. Therefore, the puppy owner will have to release it from crate frequently, through the night, so that it can relieve itself on time.
Even dogs who used to sleep in the owner’s bed will bark for attention and companionship in the first few nights. After a few days or weeks, the dog will learn to sleep in its crate peacefully. Ignoring your dog’s attention barks is the answer regarding how to stop dog barking in a crate.
How long does it take to crate train a dog which has been crate trained before?
For dogs that have prior experience with sleeping or relaxing in a crate, it takes them no time to get used to the new crate. At most, it will take only a few days to crate train these dogs. In some cases, the dog may get used to the new crate instantly, as soon as the dog owner introduces it to the dog.
Dog owners will not have a problem training dogs like these because they are very familiar with life inside the crate and even find it comforting at times. The crate becomes a place of relaxation and safety for the dog once it is crate trained.
How long does it take to crate train dogs which have health problems?
Crate training dogs with health problems or any other disabilities will be more challenging than other healthy dogs. They may need to relieve themselves often or may need assistance to do certain things. It may take a dog owner several weeks to train a dog with health problems to learn how to sleep and rest in a crate.
Some dogs cannot be crate trained regardless of how effectively and religiously the dog owner follows the steps on how to crate train a dog.
How to make a dog stop barking in the crate during crate introduction?
During the first stages of crate introduction, as mentioned earlier, almost all dogs, regardless of age, will bark to get the attention of the owner. The only way a person can stop this constant behavior is to ignore its barks. This task can be challenging for most dog owners, but it is instrumental. Reward the dog or puppy when it stays silent. This way, the dog will learn that staying put without barking will earn him treats. It will refrain from barking in the future.
How to make the dog stop barking in a crate after crate training?
It is natural for dogs to bark, but if a dog continues to do so in the crate after getting used to the crate life, it might be barking to relieve itself or because of other nonnegligible problems. Dog owners will have to acknowledge the dog and its needs in this case. This method is the only way to stop dog barking in a crate after you have crate trained it.
