You should never completely cover your dog's crate as it can block airflow. Keep blankets away from heat sources, ensure the fabric is breathable, and avoid using knit blankets that may snag or unravel. Monitor the conditions inside the crate in humid summer weather to ensure it doesn't get too hot.
When it's time to crate your puppy at night, place the toy inside the crate with her so she can snuggle up to the reassuring smells of her canine siblings. A toy with a virtual heartbeat and warmable insert mimics the reassuring sound and feel of your puppy's mother.
By covering your puppy's crate, you'll remove any excess light and also help muffle sounds that could wake them up. Some puppies do well with their entire crate covered, while others need at least the door of their crate uncovered so they don't feel isolated or too confined.
It's important for your dog to love his crate. It's a great management tool. So you should put safe items in there to make the crate a comfortable, soothing, special place.
Keep Your Dog Warm – Sleeping on a blanket instead of tile or a hardwood floor can provide your dog a source of warmth and comfort on a cold winter night. This is especially true if you don't sleep in the same room as your dog, or don't allow them on your living room furniture.
Provide them with blankets
As mentioned, old blankets and duvets are great for keeping your dog warm and cosy overnight. If they're sleeping in a crate, draping old bedding over the top can also help keep heat inside the crate, keeping your dog comfortable in colder weather.
It is possible for dogs to get cold at night, even if they're kept indoors. "If you think your dog is getting cold at night, consider giving him a cozy blanket to snuggle up to in bed. Most dogs will not feel cold at night or will seek out a warmer place if they do," says Satchu.
Give them a voice cue to enter, such as "crate." Encourage them by pointing to the inside of the crate with a treat in your hand. After your dog enters the crate, praise them, give them the treat and close the door. Sit quietly near the crate for five to 10 minutes and then go into another room for a few minutes.
Put one of your dog's favorite blankets inside the crate, along with a toy or some treats. The crate should be positioned in an area of your home that your dog already associates with happiness, such as wherever your family spends the most time together.
Most puppies are OK out of the crate at around 7-8 months of age in our experience, while some due to their chewing needs require confinement for longer.
Insulate your dog's crate with blankets over the top so they have a warm, enclosed area to retreat to and sleep in.
Dogs tend to be very particular about how they sleep. For example, some dogs like to sleep in crates, while others don't. Some dogs are too anxious or fearful, and the confinement can worsen it. If your dog is afraid of small spaces or doesn't like being confined, it's best not to try using a crate for house training.
Ignoring them at night won't help them build confidence and may make them worse which isn't what anyone wants. They need to be taught how to be independent slowly. We would never recommend ignoring your puppy when they cry at night, especially in their first few nights.
A crate can feel like a doghouse for the indoors. It can act as his bedroom, which is comforting and homey. The ideal crate for your dog is one big enough for him to stand without hitting his head and wide enough so he can make a circle like he does when he's choosing a spot to sit.
Dogs will whine in their crate for a number of reasons including boredom, loneliness, fear, anxiety, or they need to be let outside. All of these reactions are perfectly normal, and it is your job as an owner to make your pup feel comfortable and get used to their new crate.
Most pups will cry for around half the time. By the third night it should be just a few hours, and an average pup is quiet for the fourth. Once they are settled, you will actually need to go in at least once overnight to take them out to toilet! This is when you can swap the pen for a bed-sized crate.
How long is it okay to leave a dog in a crate? Adult dogs shouldn't be left in crates for more than 6-8 hours. Puppies of 17 weeks and older can handle up to 4 or 5 hours in a crate at a time. Leaving a dog home alone in a crate longer than this can hurt their mental and physical health.
If the tips of your pet's ears are warm, they're probably warm enough all over – the extremities tend to get cold first. Animals which are smaller, leaner, or animals with shorter coats will feel the cold much more acutely.
Signs That It's Too Cold
You'll notice your pup's discomfort through behavioral changes. He may try to get into your lap or snuggle close to you. He may look for someplace to cuddle and find warmth. If the situation doesn't improve, your pet will become more agitated, particularly if he has frostbite.
Temperatures of between 12-15 degrees are generally fine for most dogs to sleep in comfortably.
If you have a family emergency and need to leave your dog in a crate for 12 hours, he will be just fine. However, if you plan to do this as a general management every weekday as you are at work, this is too long! The same applies for car rides. In a car your dog is safest if he rides in a crate.
There is no real right or wrong answer.
Just like humans, dogs are different. Some may feel more comfortable in a crate next to your bed, while others prefer to sleep on a blanket in the living room. The best sleeping place for your dog depends on their age, personality, health condition, and your preferences.