How to Get a Dog to Stop Barking in a Crate

You finally get your new dog home, you tuck them into their crate at the end of their first day — and then the barking starts. Not just a whimper, but the kind of bark that makes you think, “Wow, my neighbors are going to hate me.” 

You’re exhausted, your dog’s clearly stressed, and now you’re wondering if this crate-training thing was a terrible idea. Take a breath. You’re not alone, and your dog isn’t broken. This holistic guide will help you understand what’s going on and how to create a safe, calm space for them in their crate.

Am I supposed to ignore my dog when they bark in their crate?

No, you shouldn’t ignore your dog when they bark in their crate, especially if they aren’t yet comfortable in it. Rather than ignore them, it’s best to consider why they might be barking and what they may be trying to communicate. Which emotional, social, physical, or mental needs of theirs might be unmet? 

This could mean having them spend less time in the crate, or taking a few steps back in training to help them better adjust to it. 

If your dog barks excessively or otherwise vocalizes in their crate, you should proactively address the issue with care and consideration. Ignoring them can cause further stress and frustration for your pup and may also increase barking.

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Common reasons for crate barking

Let’s look at the most common reasons why dogs bark while in their crates in the first place.

Your dog is not used to the crate

One of the most common reasons a dog barks in their crate? They’re not used to it yet. Imagine being suddenly shut into a small space, away from your people. Most dogs need a lot of time, practice, and positive associations before they feel safe enough to relax in there. If you want your dog to feel good about their crate (and keep your sanity), you’ve got to take the time to teach them to view the crate positively and make it part of their routine.

Your dog has unmet needs

Dogs are social, intelligent, and complex animals who have needs that go beyond food and water — although those should be checked, too. They have a range of social, emotional, physical, and mental needs that should be met each day. These include exercise, play, social interactions and companionship, comfortable and restorative rest, and mental enrichment.

Often, when dogs spend many hours each day in a crate, their needs will not be met. This can result in frustration, anxiety, or self-soothing barking.

Your pup needs to go to the bathroom

Depending on your dog’s age, they may need frequent bathroom breaks. Very young and old dogs may need to go to the bathroom every hour or so. If your pup has been in a crate for more than an hour and has started barking, make sure to offer them a bathroom break.

Your dog is scared or anxious

Being enclosed in a very small area with no choice of leaving can be downright frightening or anxiety-inducing for some dogs. They may be experiencing acute fear of containment if they are:

• Exhibiting widened eyes

• Trembling, cowering, or tail-tucking

• Whimpering for a prolonged period of time

• Drooling

• Attempting to escape the crate 

In these cases, it is crucial to get your pet immediately out of this situation, for their safety and well-being. Let them out of the crate, and contact a qualified trainer or behavior consultant for support. A certified professional dog trainer or behavior consultant can create a plan to slowly, incrementally, and gently address their confinement anxiety while coming up with alternatives to crating.

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Identifying your dog’s triggers

If your pup only barks in the crate, it’s important to determine the circumstances that are making them bark. The following are some questions to consider.

• Do they only bark if they haven’t been walked, or had playtime before crating?

• Do they bark in the crate when a visitor comes into the house?

• Do they bark after a certain amount of time in the crate?

• Do they bark immediately when they go into the crate? 

• Do they bark only when they can see/hear you?

Identifying triggers can help you adjust crate training, create alternatives to it, and manage the environment around your pup. This means they can feel more comfortable — which, in turn, can reduce barking and build trust.

Preparing for training

To crate-train your dog, make sure the environment and crate are set up to help your dog succeed. 

• Oversized crates can be a great option to give your pup more room to move. 

• Make sure to make crate training a positive experience by associating it with comfy beds, treats, and chew toys. 

• Structure crate training sessions so that your pup has gotten plenty of exercise, playtime, and socialization before they go into the crate.

Step-by-step guide to stop barking in a crate

It may take weeks before you can walk into another room as your pup remains calm in their crate. So be patient, and take training one small step at a time. Move at the speed of your dog’s comfort. 

Below is a step-by-step guide on what to do if your dog is barking in their crate. 

1. Let your dog out without reinforcing barking

If your dog is barking in the crate, you need to let them out. Barking in the crate is a sign your dog is distressed and not having a positive experience in the crate but how do you go about letting them out without reinforcing barking? To avoid reinforcing crate barking, your goal should be to let them out when they are quiet even if it’s only for a split second (In other words, catch them during a pause in their barking.). 

Any moment of quiet, even a second or two, can be your chance to open the door. If your dog keeps barking with no pause, step away for a moment to reset, then try again to reinforce a calm, quiet moment. Remember: Don’t scold or punish your pup. Barking is their way of communicating.

2. Slow down the crate training process

Positive-reinforcement crate training aims to incrementally increase your dog’s threshold and comfort level for being in the crate. In contrast, forcing them to accept the crate can cause them to shut down or react with big emotions. 

Take a step or two back in the training process. If they start barking after 10 minutes in the crate, then the next time, start at the five-minute mark. Incrementally move up by 30 seconds or a minute at a time, until they’re comfortable with more extended periods. Use treats, frozen kongs, and such to build up positive associations.

3. Reward them before they bark

As you train your pup, make sure to let them out before they start barking or showing signs of frustration. This is better for your pup’s well-being and can reinforce quieter communication.

Once you reintroduce the crate, make sure all their needs are met beforehand, that you are taking small steps, and use treats and positive associations to help them feel comfortable. This will help reduce barking from frustration or anxiety. 

4. Monitor progress and make adjustments

Keep a crate-training journal to monitor progress and note the adjustments you’ve made, including what may be helping and which additional adjustments you might need to make. A journal may also help you see barking patterns that you might not notice otherwise.

If your pup barks, assess why. Ask yourself if all their needs have been met. Could your canine companion be barking because they need more exercise? Do they need companionship and connection with their pet parents or other dogs? Did they have play and socialization time before going into the crate? Do they need to go to the bathroom? Do they sound panicked? Frustrated? Have they slept too much?

Addressing specific issues

As discussed, there are various reasons your pup might bark in their crate. And there’s not a one-size-fits-all solution to address this issue. 

Separation anxiety

If your pup has separation anxiety, they likely shouldn’t be crated. Crating is contraindicated for separation anxiety, and it will make this mental-health issue much worse. Dogs with separation anxiety are much more likely to harm themselves trying to escape from the crate. Contact a canine separation-anxiety specialist to come up with a plan to help your pup, including alternatives to crating.

Boredom

Dogs are smart critters who need mental enrichment — so make sure they get plenty of this before, during, and after crate time. Consider putting a treat puzzle toy, snuffle mat, or frozen Kong into the crate to keep their minds engaged.

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Lack of exercise

Your dog needs to exercise before they spend time in a crate, and this may entail intensive and ample physical activity if your dog is a high-energy breed, such as a Weimaraner, Collie, or Boxer. If your pup doesn’t have their exercise needs met prior to being in a crate, they are much more likely to have a difficult time settling down and resting in that enclosed space, no matter how comfy it may be. 

Needs to pee/poop

Make sure your dog has the chance to go to the bathroom before going into the crate, and give them appropriate breaks from the crate to pee or poop. You may need to give your dog more frequent potty breaks if they are very young or old dogs, or if they have certain medical issues. 

Attention

Your dog is a social creature, so it’s no surprise that they might bark in their crate when you’re having fun without them. They may need more social connections. To help, keep their crate time short and practice training them to stay calm, even when your house is active or you have guests over.

Alternatives to crating

Ideally, closed-door crates should only be used for short periods of time and during vet-mandated crate rest, transportation, and emergencies. Crating a dog every day, all day long, is not the way to keep them safe and secure while you’re away at work. 

Instead, it’s best to consider alternatives, such as:

• Taking them to doggy daycare

• Hiring a dog walker or sitter

• Bringing your pup to work

• Taking them to a friend’s or family’s house during the workday (perhaps trading skills, items, or services in exchange for watching your pup)

• Creating a dog-safe room for them to be in, and blocking off no-go areas of the home

• Working with an ethical, qualified trainer or behavior consultant to address behavioral concerns while you’re gone

• Setting up a large play pen that allows more freedom of movement

Commonly asked questions

How can I train my dog to feel more comfortable in a crate?

You can train your dog to feel more comfortable in a crate by making sure all their social, emotional, mental, and physical needs are met. Make sure the crate is spacious and comfortable, and practice crating in brief increments to slowly help your dog feel safe and secure. 

How long does it typically take to train a dog to stop barking in a crate?

How long it typically takes to train a dog to stop barking in a crate depends on a number of factors, and really boils down to the individual situation. Remember that this is less about training your dog to stop barking, and more about showing your dog, through relaxed positive reinforcement, what you would like them to do instead. 

How do I get my dog to stay in their crate without barking at night?

If your dog absolutely has to be crated overnight, you can help them stay in their crate without barking at night by ensuring the crate has comfortable bedding, is located in the same room as you (or another caretaker), that they aren’t also crated during the day, and that they have access to plenty of exercise, companionship, and enrichment before going in the crate at night. 

References

Griffin, K. E., Arndt, S. S., & Vinke, C. M. (2023). The adaptation of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs to the hierarchy of dogs’ needs using a consensus-building approach. Animals, 13(16), 2620. doi.org/10.3390/ani13162620

Englund, M. D., & Cronin, K. A. (2023). Choice, control, and animal welfare: definitions and essential inquiries to advance animal welfare science. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 10. doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2023.1250251

The MSPCA-Angell. (2024b, April 30). Separation anxiety and your dog • MSPCA-Angell. MSPCA-Angell. www.mspca.org/pet_resources/separation-anxiety-and-your-dog.