Crate Training Regression: Why It Happens & How to Get Back on Track

Crate training regression is when your dog suddenly starts resisting the use of their crate after previously being fine with it. You might notice whining, scratching, barking, avoiding the crate entirely, or even acting unsettled once inside.

It isn't easy to deal with and it can feel like all your progress has disappeared overnight — and it’s frustrating, especially when you’ve worked so hard. But regression doesn’t undo everything you’ve built. It just means something has shifted and we need to shift it back.

Any unexpected changes in behaviour should always be referred to at a vet and this is included for crate training regression. A lot of behaviours can be created or escalated due to pain.

The key to a strong crate training foundation is consistency (and patience). Where a lot of people fail when it comes to building that strong foundation is a lack of consistency.

Sometimes regression can be caused by a weak foundation.

This is a general issue when it comes to many issues in dog training. Owners move too fast when teaching behaviours and just like improper introduction this causes weak foundations.

The crate should be seen as a safe and comfortable place for our dogs. The last thing we want is for a dog to develop a negative association with the crate.

Dogs thrive on consistency. A shift in your schedule, working from home, moving house, a holiday, or even a new family member can throw off your dog’s sense of normality and make them question familiar routines — including their crate.

When a crate is used more like a holding cell than a safe haven, it can become a source of frustration and anxiety. Overreliance on the crate without adequate breaks, stimulation, interaction or exercise is a recipe for regression.

Puppies and adolescent dogs often go through fear periods or rebellious phases where they...test boundaries. A crate they once loved may suddenly start to feel unfamiliar or restrictive.

If your dog is emotionally charged — whether they’re anxious, overaroused, or coming down from a stressful event — putting them straight into the crate can backfire. Instead of helping them settle, it can actually amplify their stress and lead to pacing, barking, or panic. Gentle stimulation and decompression can be highly effective in these cases.

- Don’t force them in — that breaks trust and can deepen resistance.

- Don’t punish crate resistance — it will only create fear and frustration.

- Don’t assume they’re being difficult — look for the reason first.

- Don’t give up completely — regression is fixable, not final!

If your dog whines at night, especially once they’ve gone into the crate, it can often be a sign they haven’t had the chance to properly decompress. Imagine it like coming back from work, you need time to relax right? It’s not always about toilet needs or separation anxiety (though those can play a role). Sometimes, it’s just that their nervous system is still on and now they've been put in the crate.

If your dog whines at night then before crating your dog at night, try layering in one or two calming activities:

- Scatter feeding – toss kibble or treats into a snuffle mat or in the garden and let your dog sniff them out.

- Kongs - I love giving a frozen Kong after or in between daily sessions to help Jasper wind down. They're great for enrichment and soothing the brain and the body.

- Massaging – soft slow strokes on the chest, shoulders, or ears can help release tension and offer a nice calming moment before crating.

These simple steps can help your dog unwind so they’re ready to rest — not just confined and frustrated.

Treat it like day one. Keep the crate door open, toss in treats, and reward any curiosity or calm behaviour around/in it. Let your dog rediscover the magic of the crate without pressure, and celebrate even the smallest interactions.

Set up the crate in a quiet area of the house, ideally away from chaos or high-traffic zones. Use soft lighting, play gentle music, and consider a calming plugin like Adaptil to help soothe the environment. Some dogs may benefit from a crate cover to reduce distractions, and some might benefit from window covers.

Think of it as creating a bedroom vibe, not a storage cupboard.

Want more support with this? [Download my free Sleep Protocol] — it’s full of tips on how to design a safe haven for your dog that helps regulation and decompression.

Feed your dog their meals near or inside the crate. Offer high-value chews or enrichment toys like Kongs that they only get when in the crate. You want the crate to become a place where good things reliably happen — not just a place they’re sent when you leave the room.

Even if your dog can already do it, start with just a minute or two in the crate while offering a chew, antler or some high value treats. Keep the energy calm, but rebuild that confidence through success.

Slowly build duration over several days, always ending the session before your dog shows signs of stress or frustration.

Help your dog transition into crate time by meeting their needs first. Make sure they are well exercised and you provide them with some mental stimulation, and ideally a calming moment with you.

A short sniff walk, scatter feed session, a food puzzle, frozen kong, and a few minutes of quiet connection can make a huge difference in how easily they settle in the crate.

If your dog just had a high-stress moment — a visitor, fireworks, a vet visit — give them time to decompress before asking them to settle in the crate. Some may head on their own if that is theirsafe haven.

Trying to force calm when your dog’s nervous system is still fired up will only increase resistance and anxiety in the crate.

Don’t rely on the crate as your only form of downtime. Sometimes if your dog looks like they can't settle offering some for of enrichment can help.

Offer sniffy walks, digging boxes, shreddable cardboard, and calming enrichment activities to help them burn off steam and regulate a bit more. The more fulfilled they feel outside the crate, the better they’ll settle inside it.

Dogs respond to energy. If you’re frustrated, tense, or anxious about whether they’ll go in, they’ll feel that. Keep your tone relaxed, your body language soft, and your expectations realistic.

If you have worked on leash pressure you can use gentle leash pressure to coax into the crate.

If the crate has become too negatively loaded, don’t be afraid to hit pause. Great alternatives are x-pens, baby gates, or a calm room that doesn't trigger past associations.

For some dogs who excel here, you may decide to stick with this option. Jasper now gets left at home with his crate open but with a baby gate closing off the room.

The goal is safety and relaxation — the method can be flexible.

Crate training regression is a struggle there's no doubt about that. You can easily make things worse just tring to make them better, but fortunately once it starts it can be easy to break the cycle.

If your dog shows extreme distress, escapes the crate, or is regressing despite your efforts, it might be time to bring in a trainer or behaviourist.