Getting Started with Nighttime Crate Training
So, we brought this little whirlwind, Buster, into our lives. And let me tell you, those initial nights? Absolute chaos. Sleep was a distant memory. I knew right off the bat, I had to tackle this kennel training thing for nighttime. Seriously, who wants to wake up to little surprises all over the floor? Plus, everyone says it’s supposed to be their safe space, their den or whatever.
Picking the Kennel and Making it Homey (Sort Of)
First job: get a kennel. I didn’t just grab any old thing. I made sure it was the right size – you know, enough room to stand, turn around, lie down, but not so big he’d think half of it was a toilet. That’s the theory, anyway. Then, I threw in an old t-shirt that smelled of me, hoping that would comfort him. And a soft blanket. I also chucked in a chew toy, the tough kind. My goal was to make him think, “Hey, this isn’t so bad.”
Daytime Drills – The Groundwork
Before I even thought about locking him in overnight, I started during the day. Short bursts. I’d lure him in with a tiny piece of cheese – his absolute favorite. He’d scamper in, I’d praise him like he’d won the lottery, and then let him come straight back out. We did this over and over. Then I started closing the door. Just for a second at first. Then a minute. Then a few minutes while I was right there in the room. Always, and I mean always, he got a special treat that he only ever got in that kennel. Positive vibes, that was the plan.
The First Night – Brace for Impact!
Alright, night one. I was a bundle of nerves, no joke. I decided to put the kennel right beside my bed. Figured if he was close, he wouldn’t freak out as much, and I could hear if he genuinely needed the loo. Before we even headed to bed, I made sure he had a good, long play session to wear him out. Then, the most important potty break of the day. I literally stood out there with him until he did his business. Both businesses, if you catch my drift.
Then, kennel time. I guided him in, gave him that special kennel-only treat, and shut the door. And then the whining started. Oh boy, that little whimper pulls at your heart. I told myself to wait. My rule was: if it’s just little fusses and whines, ignore it. Tough love, right? If it sounded like a full-blown panic or a desperate “I really gotta go!” cry, then I’d take him out. No fuss, no playing. Straight out to the potty spot, then straight back in the kennel. Boring as possible.
The Grind – Routine is Everything
This basically became our life for a bit.
- Final potty break just before I turned out the light.
- I’d set an alarm for the middle of the night – just once – for another quick, no-nonsense potty trip. As he got a bit older, I started stretching that time.
- First thing when I woke up, straight outside for potty.
Consistency. That was the word I kept repeating to myself. Puppies apparently love a routine. If he started whining and I was pretty sure he didn’t actually need to go out (because, you know, he’d just been), I’d sometimes just tap the top of the kennel or say “Quiet” in a low, calm voice. Sometimes, just him knowing I was there was enough to settle him.
I also made sure he wasn’t just living in the kennel. Lots of play, lots of cuddles when he was out and about during the day.
Finally Seeing Some Light
And you know what? Slowly, painstakingly, it started working. The whining got less and less each night. He began sleeping for longer stretches. It probably took a good few weeks, maybe a bit longer, for him to really get the hang of it and sleep right through without a peep or needing that midnight garden visit. There were definitely nights where I was just exhausted and thinking, “Is this ever going to end?” But sticking to the plan was the only way.
Now? Buster actually trots into his kennel on his own sometimes when he wants a nap. He sees it as his spot. And the best part? We all get to sleep through the night. It wasn’t some magic trick, just a whole lot of patience, doing the same thing over and over, and yeah, a fair bit of lost sleep for me at the start. But looking back, totally worth all the effort.
