German Shepherd puppies are incredibly playful. The way you play with them while they’re still small…
What To Put In A Puppy Crate At Night
Crate training is an essential part of most new dog owner’s training routine with a new puppy. However, when you’re new to crate training you may wonder what should I put in my puppy’s crate at night?
This article will recommend the items that are good to put in a puppy crate at night, and the items to avoid.
*This article may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of the links I get a small commission at no additional cost to you 🙂 .
Recommended Items to Put in a Puppy Crate at Night
Durable Toys
Let’s face it, puppies like to chew. Having a durable dog toy in the crate helps keep your puppy entertained and quiet until they fall asleep at night (which also helps your sanity).
If you don’t have a toy in the crate, chances are your pup will be looking for other things to chew on, like maybe the bedding, or even the bars of the crate itself (my puppy played this game).
Here are a couple of toys that are durable enough to be left in a crate with any breed including larger breeds like German Shepherds.
You can’t go wrong with a Kong toy for a safe durable toy option to keep your pup busy day or night.
Kong has a longstanding reputation for making tough dog toys and these toys are my top pick for what to put in your puppy’s crate at night.
If you have a younger puppy or only a moderate chewer, I would go for the regular red Kong. Whereas, if you have a more hardcore chewer, I would definitely go for the extreme Kong.
The Kong is really special because it can be filled with peanut butter or treats to help keep your dog occupied.
Lastly, the Kong Bone, which also comes in both the regular and extreme varieties is also a great addition to your nighttime toy collection because it has two holes on the sides instead of the one big hole that the regular Kong has.
These two sides can be filled with a small amount of peanut butter to help your pup lick themselves right on to sleep quietly every night.
Crate Bedding
Most dog owners find that putting bedding in their puppy’s crate provides them with a more comfortable resting place.
The problem can be if you have a dog that likes to chew, you need durable bedding both for their safety and so you don’t wake up to a bunch of fluff around their crate.
You’ll be hard-pressed to find crate bedding that is totally resistant to a heavy chewer. If you have a dog that chews everything in sight, I would try a cheaper durable option and see how it goes.
You may find that your pup can’t have bedding in their crate until they are better trained not to chew.
Here are two crate bedding options that are good to put in a puppy’s crate for bedtime if you don’t have a heaver chewer (the Kong will also help keep your pup from distracted from chewing).
The MidWest Homes Pet Bed is a good comfortable plush option for your new pup. It comes in different sizes to fit most crate options. It is machine washable and includes a 1-year quality warranty.
The DERICOR dog bed is a 1 inch thick minimal crate bedding option that is machine washable.
This is a great option for those puppy owners who aren’t so sure whether or not their pup will destroy their crate bedding.
This bedding is low in cost, but cushy enough that you and your pup will be happy no matter what the long term outcome is.
Crate Covers
Crate covers are both a way to have your dog’s crate looking more stylish, and to make the crate a cozy and secure place for your puppy to sleep at night.
They create a den like atmosphere that can help your dog’s crate feel more secure for your new pup because it won’t be open on all sides.
Crate covers are more of a preference thing for owners, so they are in no way required. I used one for Allie when she was crate training as a pup and she seemed to enjoy it.
Here are a couple options you can’t go wrong with:
The MidWest Homes Pet Crate Cover is the perfect option especially if you have a Midwest dog crate.
MidWest if my top choice for crates on the market today, check out my article on the best crates if you’re curious.
These crate covers come in 4 different color varieties and can cover crates ranging from size 22 inches all the way up to 48 inches.
The Molly Mutt crate covers are a great option for those who want to add a bit more pizzazz to their room. Many create cover colors are kind of the same old dull and boring options.
Molly Mutt has 19 different color options to choose from so you’re sure to find something that’ll liven up your room décor.
Molly Mutt also has different size options for both small and large crate sizes.
What Not to Put in a Puppy Crate at Night
Food/Water
A small amount of peanut butter in a Kong is no big deal, but a full meal is another story. The same goes for water.
If you are trying to potty train your puppy, you want to cut off both food and water at night. This way they won’t have to use the restroom as much and they will also be less likely to have an accident.
Soft Plush Toys
It is really important to avoid those cute soft plush toys for nighttime. Those toys are easily destroyed and can sometimes contain parts that can be choking hazards for your puppy.
DIY Crate Covers
Although some people like to create a DIY crate covers by throwing a sheet or towel over their puppy’s crate.
The problem is if you have a really mischievous puppy, they will very easily be able to pull that sheet into the crate and have all kinds of fun. If you have a calm puppy this is less of a problem.
Final Thoughts
All in all, there isn’t much your puppy needs for a good night’s rest. Tire them out before bed with a good play session; toss a Kong in their crate and they should sleep like a baby until its potty time of course.
If you are looking for a guide on crate training check out this article!
Anything else you like to put in your pup’s crate? Let me know in the comments.
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