Should Puppy Nap in Crate? (And Which Crate is Best for Puppies!)

If you are sitting down wondering, “Should puppy nap in crate?” it’s time to focus on what works best in your puppy’s situation.

It’s one of those unique details that puppy owners have to think about right away. Otherwise, your puppy’s schedule is going to be out of order and hard to manage.

In general, there are several reasons to using a dog crate for napping puppies because they work well and offer value right away.

The reasons can include:

  • Naps During the Day
  • Sleeping for the Night
  • Providing a Safe Space at Home

Take your time to not only buy a good dog crate for your puppy, but also make sure it is positioned in the right part of the house. This will ensure your puppy gets to nap freely without having to wake up every ten minutes.

This article is going to help answer the question, “Should puppy nap in crate?” along with shedding light on what type of dog crate is good for puppies at home.

Best Dog Crate for Puppies (EDITOR’S CHOICE)

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The MidWest Dog Crate is about as good as it gets for puppies. The sleek, well-designed dog crate comes in a variety of sizes and is easy to customize once set up. This is essential for those who want a straightforward dog crate for their puppy at home.

This robust dog crate offers a fantastic dog tray, easy assembly, and 4 “roller” feet when you have to move it around the house.

This simplicity and quality is something that will stand out to those who want to buy a good dog crate for their young dog.

Reasons for Puppies To Nap in a Crate

Provides a Safe Space to Sleep

The main priority is to make sure your pup isn’t being interrupted during nap time.

Puppies need a set amount of hours during the day during which they can rest peacefully. This helps improve their natural development, health, and overall mood.

By offering a safe space for them to rest such as a dog crate, you are eliminating most of the worries that can wake them up in the middle of a nap.

It’s also important to think about the benefits of using a safe dog crate for napping puppies.

These benefits include:

  • Peace of Mind for Dog Owner
  • Good Protection from External Variables
  • Eliminates the Possibility of Unwanted Interruptions

If you are someone that resides in a home that has multiple pets or loads of moving parts (i.e. a large family) then you are going to want to set up a dog crate right away.

It’s the safest way to make sure the puppy does have a spot to rest in every day without having to worry about someone getting in the way.

When you are buying a new dog crate for puppies, make sure to think about where it is going to be positioned.

The positioning can end up impacting how safe the dog crate is for puppies. If it is in the wrong spot, it may not keep the puppy comfortable and may get to the point where they fear spending time inside the dog crate.

Should Puppy Nap in Crate

Act as a “Home” for Puppy

Is it safe for a puppy to sleep in a crate?

Yes, it is, but you have to make sure the crate is like a second home for the pup. This means it needs to have a blanket, be cleaned, and look comfortable for the dog at all times.

A lot of dog owners look for a safe spot at home, but sometimes it comes down to using a good dog crate. You want to take the time to create something that’s welcoming and allows the dog to have a proper home.

In most cases, a puppy is going to want to find a safe spot at home, which is it makes sense to set up a good dog crate.

Puppies will often prefer certain spots around the house to sleep in and the crate can act as one of those spaces early on.

The dog crate is going to allow your puppy to rest easily without having to find different spots around the home.

If your puppy has to run around looking for new spots to sleep, their resting phase may not be as consistent as it needs to be. This is why it is your responsibility to make sure everything is organized and the dog crate is readily available to the puppy.

By making a simple adjustment such as this, it becomes a lot easier to see results.

Make the Puppy Feel Comfortable

How comfortable is your puppy in the dog crate?

There is nothing worse than having a puppy sleep somewhere that is too hot, too tight, or just not as good as it needs to be for a nap. This can happen when the dog is having to sleep somewhere that is randomly put together such as a pair of cushions on the floor.

Instead, you want to take the time to find a well-sized dog crate for puppies that will allow them to rest easily throughout the day.

Experts Say...
Comfort is essential and that is what a quality dog crate for puppies has to offer as soon as it is set up.

Unfortunately, a lot of dog owners will set up a small playpen and call it a day.

Yes, the playpen is going to work well when it is time to get the puppy to play, but it won’t work as well when it’s time for a nap.

You have to find a quality solution for the puppy to nap in during the night. A well-stocked dog crate is going to get the job done and will allow the puppy to relax when it’s time for a nap. This is what your top priority should be as a dog owner.

Should Puppy Nap in Crate

Helps Build Consistency in Routine

If you are asking, “Should puppy nap in crate?” it’s time to start thinking about building a schedule.

Your puppy is going to need some sort of schedule to remain comfortable and energized. In most situations, they are going to adapt to the schedule, but it’s best to get things started using a high-quality dog crate.

With more consistency, you are going to have an easier time managing the pup’s routine.

Whether it is giving the puppy food, finding the right nap time, or making sure they have a safe place to sleep, everything has to be organized from day one. The sooner you do it, the easier it’s going to become for the puppy to develop in a healthy manner.

It’s also important to think about the reasons for creating consistency.

The reasons include:

  • Helps with Puppy’s Natural Development
  • Create a More Structured Set Up
  • Ideal for Having a Disciplined Puppy

It is these reasons that are going to matter the most as you start using a dog crate at home. The puppy is going to know when it is time to go to sleep, they have to head over to the crate.

It creates a set pattern that’s easy to understand and continues to yield good results as time goes on. This is what you should be aiming for.

Ideal for Reducing Interruptions

Interruptions can have a negative impact on your puppy.

They may not be able to sleep well and this can start to add up after a while. In fact, sometimes the puppy may start showing signs of serious fatigue if there are constant interruptions.

It’s recommended to find a way to get the dog to sleep in the crate ensuring they can rest without being disturbed. Otherwise, their sleeping habits will be all over the place and this can lead to issues with development later on.

By reducing the number of interruptions a puppy has to face (i.e. people walking by) there are several benefits.

The benefits include:

  • Easier for the Puppy to Sleep
  • Ideal for Homes with Multiple Pets

While it’s not always easy to find a spot like this, it’s best to make it as comfortable as possible for the puppy.

The dog crate is going to act as a safety net for the puppy and it will be able to rest without constant interruptions. If positioned in a good spot, this is the only way to make sure everything is as protected as possible.

Take the time to position the dog crate correctly as this can make or break how well your puppy rests at night.

Final Thoughts

As you trying to find the answer to, “Should puppy nap in crates?” it’s all going to come down to what your dog needs.

In general, the average puppy is going to be napping all the time, which means you have to find a safe spot for them to rest.

It’s okay to go with a good dog playpen, but sometimes you are going to have a far easier time setting up a quality dog crate for the puppy to rest in.

It’s also best to think about buying a good dog crate that will last for a long time and isn’t going to put your puppy in harm’s way.

For more on helping your puppy during its earlier months in the house, it’s time to read through the following articles – how to get a puppy to sleep at night, good ways to discipline a puppy, ways to keep a puppy busy in the dog crate, and how to potty train a dog indoors.