As a loving pet owner, you understand that your lovely pet doggies crave attention and need love.
These adorable creatures can get a bit noisy and maybe throw tantrums if you don’t give them the required care or ask that they go to their crates.
The problem is you might be forced to soundproof your dog crate if the noise coming from it is becoming bothersome.
The good thing is, there are several ways of soundproofing a dog crate irrespective of your living situation, budget, or the timeline you have to get this done.
Let’s walk you down through the process of solving this problem without hassle.
What is a Soundproof Dog Crate?
As a dog person, you may have come across the phrase ‘soundproof dog crate.’
These types of crates are far from the regular dog crates as they are usually made of materials that limit the release of noise (materials that absorb these sounds).
These dog crates are not 100% soundproof, but you can rest assured that once your dog is barking in them, they would filter the barking and whining noise to a bearable minimum.
Here are key takeaways to note about these soundproof crates for dogs:
- It does not silence the noise from the incessant barking; rather it reduces it.
- Any crate that promises to soundproof a dog crate is a torture chamber for dogs (they’ll become a hot and unbearable environment for your doggies)
- You can soundproof any dog crate with ease or buy a dog crate which has been built with soundproofing properties
- The primary duty of a soundproof dog crate is to reduce the intensity of the dog bark, as well as cut down sound, echoes, and reverberations.
Although you may be bothered about keeping your adorable pet doggie in a crate that reduces the noise and whining but remembers that neighbors can have you reported and possibly thrown out from your apartment if the sound is problematic for them.
Also, if you have toddlers, you don’t want to combine the noise as it would leave you drained. This is why soundproofing a dog crate is essential.
Don’t forget that you won’t be getting a 100% soundproof crate, but you should love your result as it would drastically reduce the noise levels.
Soundproofing is beneficial to your dogs too!
Yes, you heard right. Soundproofing your dog crate isn’t just good for you; it’s also good for your dogs too. A soundproof dog crate can reduce the sounds that your paw buddies hear.
For instance, during thunderstorms and celebrations with lots of fireworks, that soundproof crate can be your pet’s haven.
Dogs get anxiety from such noises, and blocking them can reduce their uneasiness, and help them relax.
PRO TIP: Consider investing in a few moving blankets (you can get as many as possible, but recommended not to get less than two, so you can interchange and launder every few days). These blankets can be used to cover the dog crate and muffle your dog barks.
One of the major reasons why dogs bark is because they are tense. A lot can cause this, so to help the dog become less tense and more relaxed, you can use a soundproof crate.
You can’t stop a dog whining because you aren’t giving it attention, so be sure you are good to pet doggie.
Barks will also happen when something is bothering your dog, like it feels the presence of a threat like another creature, or it doesn’t know a person who enters its space.
Why is my Dog Always Barking? How to Stop Dog Barking in Crate
If your four-legged pal has made it a habit to bark ceaselessly and you are thinking of ways to reduce the noise, there’s hope.
But you need to know why it’s barking, and this is why we have provided tips to help you end their barking even while in their crate.
Like every other rational dog owner, a dog crate can serve many purposes. Most times, it’s their designated ‘in-house home’ when you don’t want them running around or sleeping in your bed.
However, our paw buddies tend to crave so much attention and don’t want to be kept in crates, so they bark a lot. So, how do you stop the dog from barking in its crate? Here are a few things to try.
Avoid Needless Emotional Farewells
Be like Jon Snow, who avoided a farewell with Ghost in the season 8 episode of the hugely popular seasonal Game of Thrones (GOT).
Although there are rumors that the reason for his lack of interacting with his dire wolf pet is because of the CGI budget, every true dog owner knows that avoiding emotional farewells would do you and your dog good.
Dogs are easily distressed, and those farewells, while cute, can be heartbreaking for them, and they would end up barking and whining nonstop until you’re back.
If you’re heading out, do so without fanfare and hugs. They’ll get used to seeing you and come back and won’t bark all while you’re gone.
Pet and Reassure Your Paw Buddy
It’s common knowledge that dogs bark when they’re uncomfortable, troubled, or frightened. Keeping this in mind, when you notice your dog barking, you should try your possible best to see that they feel reassured that nothing is happening when you’re keeping them in their dog crate.
If there are songs your dogs like, you can bump them to help them feel more relaxed too.
Get your doggie exhausted
This is not a conventional method of keeping a dog from barking in a crate, but it sure works. Play with your dog, have them run around, and entertain themselves during the day. While it’s a lot of fun for them, it’s less noise for you.
Once they are done jumping around and playing all day, once they are in their crate, they just want to sleep. An unconventional but very effective method, if you’re home-based, you would appreciate this.
Hire a Dog Sitter
A dog sitter is someone who helps you watch your dog, just like a nanny watches your child. Since our dogs are part of our family, getting a dog sitter (if you can afford one) is a good idea.
A sitter would watch and play with your favorite pet so that it isn’t lonely.
If you can’t afford one, no worries, you can try talking to your neighbor who has kids, or you can table the idea to your family and friends, asking if they can assist you with watching your dog while you are away.
Put the dog crate in a comfy room
One way to make your dog less agitated, which in turn means less noise even when you’re not around, is making them feel safe.
If you put your dog crate in areas or rooms where they are unfamiliar and may get to feel movements, they’ll definitely be a lot noisy.
To combat this, try keeping their crate where your doggy relaxes and is most comfortable. A room where it’s used to, such as the bedroom or living room, is an ideal place you can put your dog crate.
Train your pet to remain in their crate
Have you considered disciplining your pet? You should. While many dog owners feel that disciplining a pet is wrong or cruel, the reverse can be the case.
You can discipline a pet lovingly. A little scolding and training them to stay in the crate can help them become comfortable in the pet.
It won’t come easy, of course; they are most likely going to bark and whine for the first few days whenever they are kept in their crate.
However, if you keep at it, they’ll get used to staying in the crate and bark and whine less.
PRO TIP: The crate shouldn’t, however, be used as punishment. It should be treated as their personal space, so they learn to run there for solace and not get anxiety or negative impressions about the crate.
Get a pup toy
If you haven’t already got one pup toy, you should consider picking up a few for your dog(s). Dogs that are seemingly comfortable are usually less anxious.
Noting that dogs love playing and are easily distracted, getting them a toy can keep their mind off barking and whining especially when you are not around.
There are several cool pup toys you can get, like those for snuggling and those that dish out treats when they are chewed in a particular way or sequence.
Even though they dish out treats when they’re chewed, it could take a couple of hours actually to get the right pattern, so you don’t have to worry about exhausting your treats.
This brings us back to soundproofing your dog’s crate, so that even if all else fails and your dogs aren’t impressed, you can keep the noise level to a minimum.
How to Soundproof Your Dog Crate?
Different people take a different approach to soundproof a crate since it’s not tied to a particular system or way. You can try different ways and stick to the one which is most convenient for you.
However, please bear in mind that you cannot get a crate to be 100% soundproof; you can only reduce the noise to a large extent. The tips below are some of the best ways to soundproof your dog’s crate…
Make Use of Soundproof Dog Crate Covers
One of the most popular options for soundproofing dog crates is the use of dog crate covers. This method is rather simple and budget-friendly too.
All you need to do is make use of the right size of cover for your dog crate, and the noise from the dog crate will reduce considerably.
If you’re in the market for a new soundproof dog crate cover, it’s highly recommended that you purchase those covers which are specifically manufactured for covering dog crates.
This is because the materials are usually breathable so that the dog crate isn’t hot when you put the covers over it.
If you can’t find soundproof dog crate covers specifically made for this purpose, look into purchasing thick heavy-duty variants instead.
You would generally find dog crate covers but finding those which are specifically made for reducing sounds and noises might be a problem.
Blankets can be used as a temporary solution for reducing noise going in and coming from your dog crate, but be careful, so the crate doesn’t become too dark or too hot for your dog.
Overall, when choosing a soundproof dog crate cover, go for those which are:
- Made of breathable material
- Can be machine washed
- Comfy for your pet
- Able to allow the passage of light through them
Make Use of Absorption Sheets
The use of absorption sheets is gaining prominence, and they are also a low-cost method of soundproofing crates.
With absorption sheets, those mid-high frequency sounds can be absorbed. Also, they work well for reducing echoes.
They are pretty easy to find, and installation isn’t technical and doesn’t require any special tool. All you need to do is mount them on the walls of the crate, and they should fit just fine.
Note that you need the right absorption sheet for your dog’s crate size for it to be effective.
If you’re considering absorption sheets, here are a few benefits you may like. They are:
- Semi-permanent solutions for noises in/out of dog crates
- Inexpensive to purchase
- Easy to install and remove without the need for special tools.
The Use of Moving Blankets
Many people favor using moving blankets placed over their dog crates to keep the sound at a minimum. I can’t blame them, though, because it’s cost-efficient and easy to do, plus moving blankets are easy to find.
Unlike the regular sheets, moving blankets can absorb sounds. They are designed to be comfortable, act as insulators, and absorb noise. They are also easy to clean.
If you want, you can also use them as a makeshift bed for your pet in the crate, as they are comfy to lie on. The only thing to be mindful of when using moving blankets is ventilation. Be sure that your dog’s crate is well aired and doesn’t get hot.
Soundproofing a Room or Wall in Your House
If you prefer to go the extra mile, not just soundproofing the dog’s crate, then you should consider soundproofing a part of your house, even if it’s just a wall or a whole room.
Although this method is going to be a lot more expensive, you’d be a lot happier with the result. This method is great if you share a wall with neighbors, and your dog tends to disturb them when you’re out.
Soundproofing Crates Potential Problems
As with most things, there’s always a potential problem you might face, and in soundproofing a crate, these are what to keep an eye out for:
Ventilation: Most materials made for soundproofing a dog’s crate are usually breathable and allow for ventilation. However, you can never be too sure. So try to confirm that your pet’s crate isn’t poorly ventilated following the soundproofing.
Temperature: The use of regular blankets instead of breathable moving blankets can cause high temperatures in the crate. Also, if your crate is kept in direct sunlight or near a radiator, or in a room which isn’t airy, it could become a problem.
The position where you’d be placing your crate is very important, almost as important as the material to be used for soundproofing.
You are going to discomfort your pup if the conditions aren’t favorable, like the use of non-breathable material, poorly ventilated room, and others.
Lightning: While you want to keep the crate a little dark and quieter, you don’t want a full blackout crate. If the dog’s crate doesn’t get any light coming in or escaping, you’ll most likely spook the dog, leaving it confused, stressed, and anxious, which isn’t good for its overall wellbeing.
Soundproofing a Kennel
Considering soundproofing your pet’s kennel instead of just its crate? The process is a little different and can be a lot more expensive since enclosures are made of hard surfaces.
Their surfaces tend to reflect noise and cause reverberation and echoes. You can make use of certain soundproofing materials to keep these on a low.
Here are two recommended choice materials:
- Acoustic Panels: They come in lots of designs and fabric types. Acoustic panels are great for sound absorption, capable of absorbing those mid to high-frequency sounds. Due to their high sound absorption properties, you’d find them in use in recording studios. Definitely worth using for your dog kennel if you need it soundproofed.
- Acoustic Tiles: They are not the usual home tiles, and they work well for noise absorption once stuck to walls or ceilings. Acoustic tiles are produced using recycled cotton, and they’d be useful soundproofing materials for kennels as they reduce echoes coming from your dog’s kennel. You have lots of color options, designs, and styling of these acoustic tiles to select from. Need something to match your pet’s kennel, you’d find if you search well enough. They are aesthetically pleasing fixtures and will also add a finesse look to your pet’s kennel asides reducing the noise coming from it.
Final Thoughts
Your decision to soundproof your dog’s crate might be borne out of several reasons, so don’t beat yourself over it. You can be doing your pet a lot of good by soundproofing its crate.
Those heavy thunderstorms which make them anxious can become a thing of less worry if they’re in their soundproofed crates.
Also, your neighbors would be grateful to you if you can get your doggy’s noise in check. Selecting the ideal system to use in soundproofing a crate is a choice you have to make.
There are options for every price and complexity. So if you want something you’d just mount or wrap around a crate or you prefer to go a little hardcore and soundproof a section of your room or home, the choice is yours.
All in all, the comfort of your doggie should be considered when soundproofing its crate.
