Quick answer:
Many puppies are calm in the crate when you leave—but whine when you’re home—because of FOMO and learned anticipation, not because they “hate the crate.” At The Puppy Academy, we see this most often when a puppy can hear or see their owner nearby and thinks whining might work. The solution is a combination of crate setup and calm, structured crate transitions, especially how your puppy is let out.
The Puppy Academy student: Daisy!
Why This Happens
Many puppies do just fine in the crate when:
the house is quiet
their owner isn’t in the room
there’s nothing exciting happening
During the day—especially if you’re home—your puppy may think:
“I should be out with you.”
“If I whine, you might come over.”
“I can’t fully relax because you’re right there.”
Some puppies are more prone to this based on temperament. Dogs that are more energetic, more sensitive, or more anxiety-prone tend to struggle more with crate frustration when their people are nearby.
First: Adjust the Crate Environment
Before changing training, make sure the crate itself supports calm behavior.
Covering The Crate (with safety in mind)
At The Puppy Academy, we often recommend experimenting with crate coverage:
In cooler climates, try covering all four sides to reduce visual stimulation.
In warmer climates, cover the front but leave a back flap open for airflow.
If the crate feels stuffy when you open it, leave the back open and add gentle airflow nearby.
White noise or a radio can also help soften environmental sounds and promote settling.
Don’t Accidentally Reward Crate Whining
One of the most common mistakes we see is letting a whining puppy explode out of the crate. Even unintentionally, this teaches your puppy that whining leads to release.
How to Release Your Puppy from the Crate Calmly
We teach this process with puppies as young as 10–12 weeks old.
Walk up to the crate calmly.
Open the door just one or two inches.
If your puppy pushes their nose through, close the door gently.
Repeat until your puppy backs away instead of chasing the opening door.
Open the door slightly wider. Be prepared to close it again if needed.
Once your puppy is backing off consistently, clip the leash on.
Open the door again. The leash does not mean they get to bolt out.
Say “let’s go” (or “come”) and move out calmly.
Always Have FOOD on You!
At The Puppy Academy, this is a non-negotiable with our pup parents:
leash on
food on you
If your puppy bolts:
turn around
cue “house”
toss food back into the crate
pause
invite them out again
You’re teaching a powerful lesson: calm behavior creates access.
Should You Ignore Whining?
In most cases, yes—as long as it’s not a potty need.
If your puppy is whining and you need to enter the room:
Don’t rush to the crate.
Go in and move around neutrally.
Avoid eye contact or talking.
Wait for a few seconds of quiet before opening the crate.
This approach takes patience, but it’s very effective for many puppies.
When it Might be More than Frustration
If whining escalates, doesn’t improve with consistency, or includes panic behaviors, your puppy may be struggling with true separation-related anxiety and will benefit from a more structured plan.
Your Energy Plays a Huge Role
When puppies struggle with crate anxiety or frustration, your demeanor matters more than you think.
At The Puppy Academy, we coach puppy parents to lead with:
calm confidence
neutral transitions
very intentional affection
That means:
no excited petting immediately after crate release
no soothing or apologizing
no feeding into emotional intensity
Trainer Tip from Bethany:
Think of crate transitions like a business transaction—clear, calm, predictable. Puppies feel safer when emotions stay neutral during these moments.
For puppies showing anxiety, we often recommend keeping the first 10–15 minutes before and after crate time very low-key.
Why Calm Transitions Matter So Much
Doorways and transitions are some of the most emotionally charged moments in a puppy’s day. Crate doors, front doors, and gates all shape how your puppy handles excitement and impulse control.
By slowing these moments down, you:
reduce anxiety
build self-control
set the tone for the rest of the day
Crate frustration often shows up alongside other impulse-control challenges, especially at doorways and gates. We break down calm threshold training at the crate and front door in more detail here → Teach Your Puppy Not To Bold Out Of Doorways
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it normal that my puppy is fine in the crate at night but not during the day?
Yes. Nighttime is quieter and less stimulating. Daytime brings movement, sound, and the excitement of having you nearby.
What if my puppy needs to potty but is whining?
If you suspect a real potty need, take your puppy out—but keep it boring:
leash on
straight to potty
minimal talking
calmly back to the crate
How long does it take for crate whining to improve?
Many puppies show improvement within 1–2 weeks of consistent, calm crate releases. Puppies with higher anxiety may need more time and additional support.
Want Step-By-Step Guidance?
At The Puppy Academy, our Online School walks you through crate training, calm transitions, potty schedules, and impulse control—in the exact order puppies need it. You’ll also get weekly live Q&A support from our master trainers to troubleshoot your puppy’s specific challenges.
If your puppy is also struggling with overstimulation, nipping, or difficulty settling, these behaviors are often connected. We explain how rest, structure, and calm routines work together here → How To Calm An Over-Excited Puppy
This question originally came up on our Ask a Puppy Trainer Show podcast, where master trainer Bethany discusses crate frustration, transitions, and puppy anxiety in more depth. You can listen to the full episode here → on Apple Podcasts or on Spotify.
Have more questions about your puppy? Ask our trainers LIVE every Wednesday at 1 pm PT on our Instagram @thepuppyacademy during our Ask A Puppy Trainer Show! All replays are posted afterward, and you can catch up on our last ones on our YouTube channel or Podcast.
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This article is part of our Puppy Behavior Basics series.
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