How to Soundproof a Dog Crate? (and Reduce Barking)

Many dogs are held in crates when their owner is not around. This is often done with puppies or very energetic dogs that might do damage to the household while the owner is gone. In both cases, dogs tend to bark. This can be an issue for the neighbors and the owner himself. So, one of the questions people want to know is, is there a way to soundproof a dog crate? In this article, we’ll explain that. So, let’s start!

How to Soundproof a Dog Crate (Reduce Barking)? The most effective method to soundproof a dog crate is to use soundproof covers, absorption sheets, or moving blankets. Another alternative that can be applied is to soundproof a room or use a household object such as pillows or a blanket.

Soundproofing dog crates can be done in a few different ways, depending on your budget. It’s important to point out that no crate can be completely soundproof since it takes special soundproofing materials that are used in the movie industry, but it can reduce the sounds drastically. Continue reading if you want to learn more about soundproofing a dog crate.

What Is a Soundproof Dog Crate?

A soundproof crate is a crate that has sound-absorbent materials incorporated in its design, and it is used to reduce dog barking. No soundproof crate is completely soundproof because that would take special materials, but most crates give a pretty good isolation level by lowering echo, reverberations, and sound intensity. Soundproof crates can be purchased in dog stores or made at home by using some soundproof materials.

This related article might interest you also: How to Make a Soundproof Cardboard Box?

Reasons Why To Soundproof a Dog Crate

There are quite a few reasons to soundproof a dog crate. One is preventing external sounds such as thunderstorms, fireworks, and other everyday noises that upset the dogs and cause them anxiety. The other reason is to prevent sounds that dogs make, such as barking and growling, that upset everybody in your house.

Although soundproofing cannot stop the dog from barking in general because dogs, like other animals, have needs and will always bark to signal something bothering them, it can reduce it and create a quieter and more content environment in the household.

Benefits of having a soundproof crate are the following:

• Help the dog feel relaxed and lower external stimuli
• Make barking and growling less frequent
• Shield your dog from anxiety-provoking sounds such as fireworks and thunderstorms
• Help with making the peaceful environment
• Quiet down the barking noise for you as the owner, and you’re close by neighbors

For those who want to learn more: 10 Quietest Coffee Makers On the Market.

How to Soundproof A Dog Crate?

Like most things, there are a few different ways to soundproof a dog’s crate. Even though no technique can completely isolate the sound, the ones we will name in this chapter are the best there is out there to reduce it as much as possible. So, let’s start!

1. Absorption Sheets For Dog Crate

Absorption sheets are a great option to soundproof your dog crate. That’s because they absorb most mid-high frequency sounds and isolate echoes while not being very costly. Additionally, absorption sheets are made of a very flexible material, so they can easily be aligned onto the crate’s walls and fill all the crevices no matter the size. Moreover, absorption sheets do not take any installation tools, making the whole process even simpler.

Here are some of the advantages that you’ll get by using them:  

• Easy to add and remove
• Made out of flexible, easily fitted material
• Affordable

2. Use Cover To Soundproof A Dog Crate

Soundproof covers can also be a good option to soundproof your dog crate. In some pet stores, you can already find factory-made dog crate covers. These covers are safe and inexpensive options since they are specifically made to isolate sound that dog crates. Manufacturers also always pay attention to making the material light and breathable, so the dog does not get too hot under it.

It’s best to measure your dog crate before you go shopping, so you know what size will fit best for your crate. They can be a bit hard to come across since not every pet store carries soundproof dog crates, so be sure to Google them online. Underneath is a picture to help you tell them apart from other pet covers:

Just putting a blanket on top of your dog’s crate can suffice for a temporary option before getting some soundproof cover. It’s best to find one that’s a lighter color, so it doesn’t attract as much heat but thicker so less sound can come through. Even though this isn’t a bad option for a shorter time, do not rely on it as a long-term solution. This is because the crate can really heat up under blankets, and even more so, it can get very stuffy and dark under it. That’s not an environment in which a dog can be comfortable for a long time.

Things to look for when buying a cover for a dog crate:

• Creates a comfortable environment for your dog
• Light and breathable material
• Easy to maintain and wash

3. Moving Blankets 

Moving blankets give good results when it comes to soundproofing a dog crate. Moving blankets are a much better option than regular blankets because they can absorb sound easily. They are also very easy to clean because most are machine washable. These blankets are also made of more firm material and therefore are more durable than ordinary blankets.

Benefits of Moving Blankets:

• Affordable
• Sturdy
• Breathable and sound isolating

4. Soundproof a Room

Soundproofing a wall is a more complicated and expensive method of getting a peaceful environment, but it sometimes makes sense. For example, if your dog dislikes the crate or only barks when no one is at home. This is a great idea, especially if you share a wall with a neighbor, for example, in apartments and flats.

5. Use Home Materials (Free Option)

If you do not have the time or the resources to buy some soundproofing material for a crate cover or a crate cover alternative, look around the house for anything that you might find useful. This can be anything from spare blankets thinner pillows, or window drapes.

Related Article: How To Soundproof French Doors? (7 Best Methods)

6. Train Your Dog

Even though training your dog not to bark might seem like an obvious but difficult option, it’s possible. Many dogs bark in their crates because the smaller enclosed environment is new and feels unsafe for them in the beginning adjustment period.

By giving the dog time to adjust, reinforcing good behavior with treats, and pointing out the bad by verbal warnings, your dog should be okay after some time. If you train your dog not to chew on furniture or displace things in your home, you will probably stop needing the crate as well. Even though the most timely and difficult, this is the best option for both you as the owner and your dog.

• Buy an anti-barking collar: If your dog is a larger breed, you can try using an anti-barking collar. You can find them in pet stores and online. That will most probably speed your process up.
• How to do this? The barking collar is a training collar to stop your dog from barking. You place it around your dog’s neck when he barks the most (during nighttime), and that device (collar) will produce a vibration sound once the dog barks.

This technique of conditioning shows the dog that every time he barks, he will get an unpleasant stimulus as a consequence. After a few times, depending on how persistent your dog is, he will stop barking to avoid the annoyance the collar brings. Once your dog has stopped barking, you can stop placing the collar on him, and your work here is done!

7. Hire A Dog Sitter

Find a dog sitter. They can be your kids, neighbors, or friends with extra time on their hands. Dog sitting isn’t needed forever, but it helps in the first few months after getting a dog. Puppies can sometimes be just like babies; they need constant attention and training.

Even though dog sitters can be expensive, it can be useful if you can negotiate a lower price depending on where you live. A free dog sitter sounds hard to find, but in reality, it’s very much possible. For example, you probably know a child in the neighborhood who loves dogs but doesn’t have one or an elderly neighbor who might want company.

Here is a video that might help you to soundproof your dog crater:

For those who want to learn more, be sure to read: Is It Safe To Sleep With Noise-Cancelling Headphones?

Disadvantages Of Soundproofing A Dog Crate

Even though soundproofing a dog crate is a smart move in many cases, it does come with a few potential problems. Underneath are listed some of the ones we think are important to point out:

• Heat- heat can cause issues if the covering is made from thick, poorly breathable material or even more so if you keep the crate close to a heat source such as radiators, heaters, or even close to a window where direct sunlight comes in. Heat can cause discomfort or even sickness for your dog, so be cautious of it.
• Poor ventilation- materials we named here in this article are breathable and aren’t causes of poor airflow but if you do experiment with materials, make sure you do not use something too thick and heavy.
• Blackout- When crates are covered by materials that let too much light in, the dog is still exposed to external stimuli and very much awake. The same issue arises with having the crate be pitch black. That will cause confusion and anxiety in your dog and keep it awake. It’s best to keep the crate darker than the rest of the space but not too dark that the dog cannot see.

Final Thoughts

No matter how much money you have on your hands to spend on soundproofing your dog’s crate, there should be a solution for you. The options vary from just different types of crate coverings to isolating walls and rooms or even training your dog not to need a soundproof crate. All in all, whichever method you choose, you should be able to figure out a way to calm down your dog and make your environment more relaxing for you and your pet. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out.