If you have a young puppy, it can be a good idea to move the crate into your bedroom at night, or more likely to have a second crate as moving one around each night is a nuisance. A puppy crated in a room on their own can feel stressed, abandoned and anything but secure which can lead to whining and crying.
Initially, it may be a good idea to put the crate in your bedroom or nearby in a hallway, especially if you have a puppy. Puppies often need to go outside to eliminate during the night and you'll want to be able to hear your puppy when they whine to be let outside.
Usually the best place for dog crates at night is in the owner's bedroom, so the dog has the feeling of being in safe company during sleeping time. Having the crate in your bedroom will also allow you to hear your dog if she gets restless during the night and needs to be taken to her potty area.
During the day, it's common to move the crate downstairs while the family is away. Sometimes families will have two separate crates, one for upstairs at night time, and one downstairs for daytime. This is not necessary, but if you have a larger dog it is a heck of a lot easier!
Some advise bringing the crate into your bedroom at night for the first couple of weeks so that you cause the least distress to the puppy- especially cocker spaniels. Others advise to brave it out and leave your pup alone downstairs (in kitchen) where you eventually want them to settle sleeping.
For both young puppies and dogs, an ideal place for the dog's crate is a quiet corner of your bedroom or living room. Placing a cozy dog bed inside the pup's crate at night helps to create that safe space feeling for your pup.
Having their crate in or near your own bedroom can help them feel more secure. Placing a Snuggle Puppy inside the crate can also help calm a puppy getting used to sleeping on their own, as it mimics having a littermate's warmth and heartbeat close by.
The Bottom Line
It is absolutely ok to move your puppy's crate from room to room. As you are doing so, you want to watch out for a few key aspects however. Do not suddenly move a dog's crate that has been in the same place for months or even years.
Not every dog appreciates a blanket over their crate—for some, a cover may cause more fear than relief. Some dogs may accept a partly covered crate, while others prefer no cover at all. If your dog shows obvious signs of discontent or becomes aggressive, a covered crate may not be suitable.
This allows each dog to go about his day the way he wants, sleeping, playing, and otherwise hanging out on his own schedule. Even if dogs are crated separately, it's a good idea to place their crates in the same room so they can keep each other company.
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.
If your puppy is whining, crying, barking, or howling persistently whenever you confine it in a crate or playpen, this is an early sign of separation anxiety.
Things You Should Know
Keep crate training your dog until they're 1 or 2 so they're not as destructive when they're left alone. Stop crate training your dog when they don't whine about going in their kennel and when they stop having accidents at home.
As challenging as it might be, let your dog settle himself down. After a few nights, he should understand that whining and crying in the crate won't get him anywhere. Get some earplugs (or use a white noise app on your phone) and know it's a short-term sacrifice for long-term happiness for you and your pup.
Because dogs don't like to sleep near their own excrement, crate training can help you housebreak your puppy much faster than training your pup without a crate. Crate training keeps your puppy safe while you're away. Crate training your new pup also helps keep them out of trouble while you're away from home.
Another common recommendation is one hour of crate time for each month of age. In any case, you should avoid crating your puppy for long periods of time. This goes for adult dogs too. If you need to use a dog crate during the 8 or more hours you're at work, go home for a midday visit or consider hiring a dog walker.
Try to ignore the whining. If your dog is just testing you, he'll probably stop whining soon. Yelling at him or pounding on the crate will only make things worse. If the whining continues after you've ignored him for several minutes, use the phrase he associates with going outside to eliminate.
Most adult dogs can stay in a crate for about half a day as long as the dog gets ample exercise and walks when he or she is out of the crate. Many adult dogs can manage eight or so hours in a crate while their owners are at work, but longer than this can often cause behavioral problems.
If you properly train your dog to use the crate, he will think of it as his safe place and will be happy to spend time there when needed. Always provide water for your dog anytime he is in the crate.
Some people have two crates: one in the bedroom and one in the family room. However you choose to configure your situation, remember your dog should sleep in the same room you do. This allows the dog to develop a sense of trust and security.
To start off, you want your dog to be able to see you while they're in the crate, so they know that it's not punishment or a tool to isolate them. You may keep your crate in your home office during the day and move it to your bedroom at night so your pup can stay nearby.
In some cases you may be able to crate a dog for 10-12 hours overnight. Adult and senior dogs tend to sleep rather long at night and will be able to hold their bladder for that long. Especially more laid-back breed such as Pugs or Saint Bernards might not even want to get up before sleeping that long!
But in all honesty, there's no 'right time' for a puppy to go to sleep, as long as it's the same every night. While this may be the case, do note that your puppy will need, on average, around 8-10 hours of sleep per night.