Where to Put Your Dog’s Crate at Night During Training

During the first nights of crate training, your dog should sleep in a crate in your bedroom or close enough that you can hear when they need you. This is especially helpful for a puppy who is adjusting to a new home: you can respond to a bathroom need without leaving them isolated, while still giving them a consistent place to sleep.

Check the product’s listed specifications when evaluating start with the crate near you.

Choose a crate that lets your dog stand, turn around, and lie down comfortably, and place it away from drafts, direct heat, and household traffic that could keep them awake. Add bedding only if your dog can use it safely; if they chew or swallow soft materials, use a simpler setup and remove their collar or harness before crating to reduce the risk of snagging.

A familiar nighttime location helps your dog learn what to expect, so avoid moving the crate from room to room each night just to test where they will settle fastest. If you eventually want your dog to sleep elsewhere, move the crate a little at a time after they are sleeping comfortably, and continue to respond to genuine bathroom needs rather than expecting a young puppy to wait all night.

Give your dog a chance to go outside before bed, then guide them into the crate calmly instead of using it as a consequence for unwanted behavior. Our Crate Training Your Pup – A Practical Ebook Guide is a resource for building crate-training basics; wherever you place the crate, our team recommends paying attention to how your individual dog settles and adjusting the routine without rushing them.