{"id":8896,"date":"2023-07-19T20:42:37","date_gmt":"2023-07-19T20:42:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/notabully.org\/?p=8896"},"modified":"2023-12-11T23:09:06","modified_gmt":"2023-12-11T23:09:06","slug":"until-what-age-should-a-dog-sleep-in-a-crate","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/notabully.org\/until-what-age-should-a-dog-sleep-in-a-crate\/","title":{"rendered":"Until What Age Should A Dog Sleep In A Crate? (Trainer Explains)"},"content":{"rendered":"

One of the puppy essentials many people purchase for<\/span>\u00a0their new best friend is a crate<\/span><\/a>. Crates are a great training tool for potty training, keeping your puppy from getting into things they shouldn’t, as well as creating a safe space for them. Dogs have an instinct to seek out dens and a crate makes a great den-like structure.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, crate training is not just for puppies. Crates can give adult dogs a sense of security and be useful for newly re-homed dogs, dogs recovering from surgery or an illness, and aging dogs. At night time, crates are particularly handy since you cannot keep an eye on your dog while you are sleeping.<\/span><\/p>\n

But until what age should a dog sleep in a crate?<\/span><\/p>\n

Depending on your preference and the individual dog, dogs can be crated at night until around the age of 2 years old. Around that age is when they are usually fully potty trained and less likely to get into things as long as they have had plenty of exercise.\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

However, there is nothing wrong with continuing to crate your dog past the age of 2 years old (even forever) as long as they are being properly taken care of mentally and physically. On the other hand, if your dog is well-behaved out of the crate at night, you do not need to wait until a certain age to let your dog sleep out of the crate.<\/span><\/p>\n

There are pros and cons to crating your dog and ultimately it is a personal choice based on your and your dog’s needs and personality.<\/span><\/p>\n

Why Should You Crate Train Your Dog Or Puppy At Night?<\/span><\/h2>\n

There are several reasons that your should\u00a0<\/span>crate train your dog<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span>Puppies<\/span><\/a>\u00a0and newly re-homed adult dogs often need to be crate trained at night or they might have a\u00a0<\/span>nighttime accident<\/span><\/a>. <\/span><\/p>\n

They have not figured out how long they can hold it yet and a crate helps create structure around going outside to use the bathroom. Eventually, your new dog will be able to sleep through the night in the crate and you will not have to\u00a0<\/span>wake them up to pee<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Crate training is also important for management and making your life easier and your dog’s life safer as they navigate and learn the boundaries you set up in the house. There is a lot your dog can get into at night while you sleep, especially if they are bored and have not had enough exercise. They can\u00a0<\/span>get in the trash<\/span><\/a>, bark, chew up furniture, or jump in the bed and wake you up at 4 am for a\u00a0<\/span>late-night play session<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, a dog who has been properly crate trained will learn to sleep through the night as well as learn that their crate is a safe place, helping stop problematic behaviors. Some dogs learn to love their crate so much that they choose to continue<\/span>\u00a0sleeping in the crate with the door open.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

If crate training is not done properly though, it can make a dog feel trapped and cause them to panic, bark, or\u00a0<\/span>whine<\/span><\/a>\u00a0when they are crated at night. Remember that crates are not a tool for punishment but a tool for management. Crate training should not be rushed, instead, positive associations for the crate are built with treats, toys, and praise. <\/span><\/p>\n

Kikopup has a great video to help you get started on crate training your dog and how to help them sleep through the night in the crate.<\/span><\/p>\n