Should you put a blanket over a puppy crate

Should You Cover a Dog Crate? (Why Its Not That Simple)

Should you cover your dogs crate?

Owners are constantly trying to find new ways to make the crate more appealing, cozy, and welcoming for their dog. After all, the crate can be such a useful tool when our dog actually enjoys being in there.

This article contains everything you need to know, and includes 9 useful tips on making the crate your dogs favorite place.

While covering your dogs crate with a blanket can have many positive benefits, it really depends on your dog. Covering the crate might help a nervous dog feel more calm and safe, while for others it could cause them to fear the crate if they arent already used to it.

The honest answer is that it depends on your dog. Although covering your dogs crate with a blanket can have a positive effect, not all dogs like it.

Covering the crate at night might help a nervous dog feel more calm and safe, while for others it could cause them to fear the crate even more. We explain what to do below.

Why Do We Use Dog Crates?

This isnt an article about how to crate train, but its still a good idea to cover what it is, and especially why we use dogcratesin the first place.Dog crates are used inside your house to keep your dog/puppy confined in one place. Initially, this sounds cruel, but its only to keep him here at certain times.Dog crates should not be viewed as some sort of prison for your dog, and thats the first mistake a lot of new dog owners make.

The idea of the crate is actually to mimic that of a den, like dogs would have used to have in the wild.The benefits of your puppy having his own little den or safe-zone are very important. Youre going to need to leave the house regularly, so putting your puppy in his safe zone will help him feel calm and secure while nobody is home.

His crate should also be used at nighttime while hes still potty training.Your life will be so much easier if your puppy enjoys and finds comfort in his crate, rather than fears it. Keep reading to find out exactly how to achieve this.

Should You Cover a Dog Crate With a Blanket?

This is perhaps the single most asked question regarding crate training. So I will cover this separately just below.

Then Ill go through 9 more things you can do to help your puppy enjoy his crate.

Why Cover a Dog Crate?

By putting a cover or blanket over the top of the crate, youre essentially making it more den-like. Sometimes this works well, but other times it does not.By covering the top, back and sides, or just the top, its thought to be more calming for your pup. The environment will be slightly darker, warmer, quieter, and therell be fewer distractions.If theres less stimulation, it may make it easier for your puppy to relax and be calm while inside his crate.

ShouldYou Cover Your Dogs Crate?

Ultimately, this depends on your puppy/dog. Some puppies will react differently to this than others and it depends on what stage you are at with crate training.If you have a puppy that is not yet 100% comfortable with his crate, you may find that hell dislike having a cover over it. If you have a mature dog who has been using his crate for years, a cover may be a great addition for him.With your puppy, you can always try it and then gauge his response. If he backs up and seems to fear it, youll have to try again another time. He will need to become more comfortable with his crate before youpimpit out with a blanket.

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Should you cover it at night?

If your puppy or adult dog is having trouble at night due to being scared you can try covering their crate with a blanket to help them feel safer and more secure.

One trick Ive tried with success, is to cover the crate while its already dark and your puppy is already inside asleep or very calm. This way they wont be scared or even notice the addition of the blanket, but theyll still reap the benefits of reduced noise, warmth and a cozier feeling.

P.S. heavy blankets make a lot of noise on wire crates. A thin blanket is easier to place over the top without waking your puppy.

Again, not all pups will tolerate it. But if yours does then I strongly suggest doing it, as they will allow them to rest well.

This is an excellent option to consider:

What about during the day?

If your puppy tolerates having their crate covered during the night, then its worth trying it during the day too.

As Ill explain just below, covering the crate will make it slightly darker and this can make a puppy feel like theyre in a den, and therefore safer and more secure.

Not all pups need this, but it can be helpful for those that are extra nervous, OR if your neighborhood is noisy.

9 Crate tips that will help every dog

Lets go over 9 tips to help your puppy feel safer, more comfortable, and secure when its time to go inside the crate.

Some of these ideas will work better with certain breeds, and some wont. But, out of the 9 tips, there will surely be at least one thing that will help your puppy today.

1) Put an old unwashed t-shirt in his crate

One thing you can do is take an old, unwashed t-shirt of yours, and place it in his cate. Your puppy will be able to smell you at all times and this will be extremely reassuring for him. It will help him think that you are nearby at all times.

Only use an old t-shirt for when youre going to bed or leaving the house. This way, it will still act as a comforter, but he wont become completely reliant upon it.

Its good for your puppy to learn that sometimes it will be there, and sometimes it wont. This will prove more effective when you need to leave him for longer durations.

After 4 months of age, the chances of him ripping it increases, so you may consider stopping it after 16 weeks.

One less t-shirt youll have to wash

2) Reserve his favorite toy, only for the crate

Time to go out and buy your puppy a brand new toy hell love. Instead of giving it to him to chew at all times, you can use it in a clever way to make him feel more comfortable with this crate.

While I dont suggest leaving plush toys inside his crate at all times, you can use it for short periods while you are there to supervise.

This is a clever way to help him build positive associations with his crate. To try it out, get him a new toy he hasnt seen before and get him as excited as possible for it, then give it to him inside of his crate.

Leave him inside with his toy for 10 minutes or so then bring him out, and remove the toy.

For you, it may not seem very significant, but for your puppy, a little association technique like this could be the difference between him loving his crate or fearing it.

Psst. A quick update on puppy training! Brain Training For Dogs is so far one of the best training regimes weve seen for puppies. It works with any breed and improves obedience and behavior quicker than we thought possible. Its a must for any new puppy owner. Okay, back to the article!

3) Suitable dog mat/bed (not a fluffy blanket!)

I know how tempting it can be to get a super soft fluffy blanket for your puppy. While it seems like the right thing to do, its actually encouraging him to chew and shred which is a bad habit you want to avoid.

It may appear to make the crate cozy but its doing more bad than good. Instead, you should opt for a proper crate mat that is still very comfortable but just made out of a more suitable, tougher material. I have a recommended option below

4) Keep his water bowl outside

By having water in the crate, its encouraging him to make a potty accident as puppies cannot hold their bladders for very long.

As part of your bedtime routine, your puppys last meal and drink should be at least 2 hours before hes ready to sleep. This way you significantly reduce the chances of him making a potty mistake.

Making accidents inside the crate isnt nice for your puppy and he will know that he has done something wrong.

These kinds of negative situations will only create a bad association between your puppy and the crate.

5) Use a snuggle puppy toy (under 2 months old)

There are a lot of opinions about whether or not toys should be in the crate with puppies. It is always best to supervise your puppy with toys, as you dont want him ripping bits off, creating a choking hazard.

However, when your puppy comes home for the first few nights, hes going to be very stressed. A comforting toy inside his crate, especially when he arrives home, could help him significantly.

The point is to only do this while hes still very young, and incapable of actually ripping anything. Before 3 months, its unlikely your puppys teeth or mouth will have enough power to rip a toy. So this is the perfect time to use a snuggle puppy.

A snuggle puppy is a soft teddy bear like toy, where you can insert a heating pad. This helps keep your puppy warm, and for him, it can resemble sleeping next to his mom. I really recommend this one, you can view it on Amazon.

6) Dont force your puppy to go in his crate

Again, this is like number 2. Its more of a training-style tip. In order for your puppy to become familiar with his crate, he needs a little time. Dont force him inside.

Its a great idea to be in the room with him, on the floor by the crate with its door open. Play around with your puppy and have an enjoyable time. For the first few times, you dont even need to involve the crate. Its presence is enough.

After a couple of days, start throwing the dog toy inside the crate. Let your puppy go in and out freely.

As your puppy becomes completely familiar, it will be normal for him to start laying down in his crate with his toy. When this happens, back away and let him be. Eventually, your puppy will see his crate as something completely normal.

7) Meal times in the crate

Food is one of the top priorities in your puppys life, so having him eat his meals by the side of the crate or inside, will quickly build a positive association.

If your puppy is comfortable enough to venture inside, then place the bowl right at the entrance, with the door open. Let him eat his food how he likes, but keep the bowl next to the crate.

As they become comfortable, start putting his bowl physically inside, but dont close the door! You arent trying to trick him so keep the door open.

8) Always practice positive reinforcement

Throughout the crate training stages, it counts to be very aware of how your puppy starts interacting with his crate. When your puppy becomes familiar with his crate and takes an interest, encourage him, and always praise him heavily.

Positive reinforcement-based training works so well because youre building positive associations and encouraging behavior that gets rewarded. All puppies are much more inclined to repeat something that they know gets a positive response from their owner. Always remember this!

9) Cover the crate with a blanket!

Why not save the best to last! This is the question that brought you here in the first place anyway!

Yes, putting a blanket or covering the crate does work well and makes his crate more den-like The trick is to introduce it to him slowly.

After your puppy is comfortable with his crate, try adding a blanket over the top, but only covering the single top panel. This way it wont make it too dark or different. As your puppy progresses, try covering the sides too, and gauge how he reacts.

Recommended items listed above

Throughout the 9 essential crate training tips above, I covered a few items that you may not already have. You can check them out below

Snuggle Puppy Toy This is a great toy that will be extra helpful for puppies that have just left their mother and siblings. Its soft and comes with a heat pack that gives off warmth while they cuddle up next to it. Its highly recommended and has been shown to improve puppy sleep dramatically.

Gorilla Grip Waterproof Crate Mat Its a good idea to get a crate mat that your puppy wont be inclined to chew. These mats are hard wearing and are made with waterproof material for easy cleaning. Despite their durability, theyre still comfortable enough for your puppy!

Kong Classic Chew Toy It wont be long before your puppy enters their teething stage, and having a pacifying chew toy like the Kong will help keep your puppy from chewing things they shouldnt be! An inexpensive, highly recommended option.

Crate training tips: Recommended video

This is an awesome video that goes over the best approach for crate training. Using the tips above, with the advice given in this video will make crate training your puppy, pretty easy. This video is by Rachel Fusaro on Youtube: https://youtu.be/N5oaxUWesJk?t=16

Summary

So now you know that yes you can cover your dog crate with a blanket, and this may help your puppy feel more safe and secure in their crate. Always observe your puppy around the crate and youll get a feel for things they do like and dont like, which will all go towards an easy crate training experience.