Puppy Crate Placement: When To Move It Out Of Your Bedroom

Moving a puppy crate out of the bedroom is a significant step in the puppy training process. Many factors come into play when making this decision, including the puppy's age, toilet training progress, and sleeping habits. While some owners opt to move the crate gradually, others prefer a more abrupt transition. The puppy's reaction to the move also varies, with some adjusting quickly and others requiring more time and reassurance.

How to transition the puppy crate out of the bedroom

Moving a puppy crate out of the bedroom can be a challenging task, but with patience and consistency, it is possible to do it successfully. Here are some tips on how to transition your puppy's crate out of your bedroom:

Start with crate training: Before moving the crate, ensure your puppy is comfortable and familiar with sleeping in it. Place the crate in your bedroom initially and gradually move it out. This will help your puppy adjust to the crate as a safe and comfortable sleeping space.

Choose the right location: Select an appropriate location for the crate, preferably somewhere quiet and cool. Consider the living room or a spare bedroom adjacent to your room. Avoid isolated areas that may make your puppy feel lonely or scared.

Take it slow: Instead of moving the crate directly to the desired location, do it gradually. Move the crate a short distance away from your bedroom each day or every few days. This slow transition will help your puppy adjust to the new location without causing too much stress.

Be consistent: Maintain a consistent routine for bedtime and waking up. Puppies thrive on routines, so ensure you put them in the crate at the same time every night and take them out for potty breaks at regular intervals. This consistency will help them feel more secure in their new sleeping arrangement.

Use positive reinforcement: Reward your puppy with treats and praise when they settle down in the crate calmly. Positive reinforcement will help create a positive association with the crate and the new location.

Monitor their progress: Keep an eye on your puppy's behaviour during the transition. If they seem particularly distressed or anxious, you may need to slow down the process or provide additional reassurance. Consider using a camera to monitor them remotely.

Be prepared for setbacks: Your puppy may experience some setbacks during the transition, such as crying or needing extra potty breaks. Be patient and don't get discouraged. Remember that every puppy is different, and some may take longer to adjust to the new sleeping arrangement.

By following these steps and adjusting them to your puppy's needs, you can successfully transition their crate out of your bedroom. Remember to be patient, consistent, and provide plenty of love and reassurance during this process.

When to move the crate to a different room

If your puppy is older and sleeping through the night, you may want to consider moving the crate to a different room if you are being disturbed by their noise. This could be a spare bedroom or a quieter room such as the living room. It is recommended to make this transition slowly, moving the crate a small distance away from your bedroom each night until it reaches its new location. This will help your puppy get used to the change gradually and reduce the risk of them feeling stressed or anxious.

It is important to remember that puppies are pack animals and prefer sleeping in the company of their owners. Moving their crate to a different room may cause them to feel lonely or anxious, leading to unwanted behaviours such as chewing or barking. If you decide to move the crate, it is crucial to provide comfort and reassurance to help them adjust to the new sleeping arrangement.

The ideal location for the puppy crate

The ideal location for a puppy crate is somewhere that is quiet, cool, and easily accessible to their owners. Puppies are pack animals and prefer sleeping in the company of their owners. Therefore, it is recommended to keep the puppy crate in the owner's bedroom, at least until the puppy is comfortable sleeping independently.

Some puppy owners prefer to keep the crate right next to their bed, which can be beneficial for puppies who need frequent toilet breaks or those who get nervous during the night. However, this proximity can also lead to disruptions for the owner due to the puppy's whining or barking.

If the puppy's crate is in a separate room, it is advisable to have a camera or monitor set up to keep an eye on them easily. Additionally, moving the crate gradually, a little further away each night, can help the puppy adjust to the new location with minimal fuss.

The living room or dining room can be good alternatives to the bedroom, especially if the puppy is already accustomed to spending time in these areas during the day. The quietest part of the house, usually away from the main living areas, can also work, but it may be more challenging for the puppy to adjust to sleeping alone.

Ultimately, the ideal location for the puppy crate depends on the puppy's individual needs and the owner's preferences. It may take some trial and error to find the perfect spot, but with patience and persistence, both owner and puppy can get a good night's sleep.

How to get a full night's sleep with a puppy

Bringing a puppy into your home is an exciting time, but it can also be exhausting. Puppies need near-constant care and attention, and this includes throughout the night. While it may be a challenging few months, there are some things you can do to maximise your chances of a full night's sleep.

The First Few Nights

During the first few nights, it is recommended to keep your puppy's crate in your bedroom, near your bed. This is because puppies often need to go to the toilet during the night, and you will want to be able to hear them when they whine so that you can avoid any accidents. It is also comforting for a puppy to know that you are nearby.

Toilet Training

Toilet training is key to a full night's sleep. Puppies have small bladders and will need to go to the toilet several times a night. You can help them to learn good habits by taking them out to go to the toilet before you go to bed, and then again just before you go to sleep yourself. Puppies can generally hold their bladder for however many hours as their age in months (e.g. a two-month-old puppy can hold it for two hours).

Reducing Whining

If your puppy is whining, it is important to determine why. If they need the toilet, take them out, but do not make a big deal of it. Put them down, let them go, give them a treat, and then go straight back to bed. You do not want to encourage them to think that whining results in playtime. If you know they have recently been to the toilet, ignore the whining. They will soon learn that it gets them nowhere.

Moving the Crate

Once your puppy is reliably sleeping through the night, you may want to consider moving their crate out of your bedroom. This can be done gradually, by moving the crate a short distance every few nights, or you can try moving it straight to the desired location, and sleeping nearby for a few nights until they settle.

Other Tips

Some other tips for a full night's sleep include: taking your puppy out for a short walk in the evening to tire them out; covering their crate with a blanket to keep them warm and provide comfort; and providing them with a snack and water in case they get hungry during the night.

While it may be a challenging few months, with patience and persistence, you and your puppy will soon be sleeping through the night.

Potty training and the puppy crate

Crate training is a great way to potty train your puppy. Dogs are den animals and will naturally seek out a small, enclosed space. It is important to get your dog accustomed to a crate for many reasons, such as vet visits or travelling, and it can make life easier for both of you. The crate should be just large enough for the dog to lie down, stand up and turn around. Many crates come with partitions so you can adjust the size as your puppy grows.

When to Move the Crate

The general advice is to keep the crate in your bedroom for the first few months. Puppies will usually let you know when they need to go outside by whining and scratching. If you move the crate to another room, you might not hear them and they will have to resort to going to the toilet in the crate. This will teach them that it is okay to mess up their living space.

One owner of a 9-month-old puppy, who has slept in a crate next to their bed since they got him at 15 weeks, is considering moving the crate out of the bedroom. However, most dog owners who responded to their query recommended keeping the crate in the bedroom. One owner said that they kept the crate in the dining room but their dog only slept in it when it was in the bedroom with them. Another owner said that they kept the crate in the family room but that didn't work very well either.

Housetraining Schedule

It is critical to keep a consistent housetraining schedule. Puppies have tiny bladders and water runs right through them. A good guide is that dogs can control their bladders for the number of hours corresponding to their age in months, up to about nine months to a year. So, a 6-month-old puppy can reasonably be expected to hold it for about 6 hours. You will probably have to take your puppy out a dozen times or more in a 24-hour period.

Crate Training Steps

• First thing in the morning, take the dog out of the crate and go directly outside. Do not let the dog roam, even for a few seconds, or they will go to the toilet on your floor.
• Wait for them to go to the toilet outside, repeating a command such as "get busy" and then give them lots of praise and a treat.
• After they have been to the toilet, they can have supervised free time in the house. This will allow you to catch them in the act if they have an accident.
• After free time, put them back in the crate for the same amount of time as their free time.
• Every day, reduce crate time by 15 minutes and add that time to their free time. After two weeks, they should be spending 30 minutes in the crate and 5-6 hours of free time, until eventually the crate is eliminated completely.

Troubleshooting

If your puppy is soiling their crate, go back to the beginning with crate and house training. Assess how well your dog can control their bladder and bowels when not in the crate, carefully control their diet and schedule, and give them frequent trips outside. If you work, consider hiring a dog walker. Clean everything so there are no odours left that might encourage them to go to the toilet in the same place.

Potty Training Tips

Clean up any indoor accidents with an enzyme cleaner and a black light to find all the spots, so that not even a tiny smell remains.

• Close doors or use baby gates to section off a small indoor area for your puppy to play in.
• Immediately when your puppy wakes up, take them outside on a leash.
• When they go to the toilet outside, give them lots of praise and treats.
• Go indoors to the small area you have sectioned off and interact with your puppy. Play with toys, give them a belly rub if they like it, and do some training.
• After playtime, return your puppy to their crate for a nap.
• Repeat this pattern all day long, taking your puppy outside at least hourly.

Potty training your puppy using a crate takes discipline, dedication and work. But it is worth the effort and will result in a well-housetrained dog.

Frequently asked questions