Can Whippets Be Crate Trained? The Truth + 11 Helpful Tips

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When it comes to creating a safe space for your whippet crate training is often something people consider. But can whippets be crate trained? Or are they completely uninterested in crates?

Can Whippets Be Crate Trained:

Whippets can absolutely be crate trained as well as learn to love being inside their crate. The key word is trained. When a whippet receives proper training and creates a positive association with their crate it becomes a place where they feel comfortable, safe and secure.

In this post you’ll discover:

How long a whippet can stay in their crate
Whether whippets should be crate trained in the first place
11 tips to help easily crate train any whippet (Tip #2 & 6 are super important in the beginning!)
And much much more

Let’s jump right in.

Table of Contents

How Long Can You Leave a Whippet In a Crate?

The length of time that would be considered healthy differs based on how old your whippet is.

If they’re a young puppy, their bladder is much smaller which means they shouldn’t be kept in their crate for too long without a bathroom break.

A general rule of thumb for how long to leave a puppy in their crate that has become popular is by using their age in months and adding 1.

For example, a 3 month old whippet can stay in a crate for up to 4 hours.

General guidelines should only be used as recommendations though.

Each pup is a little different and your whippet may have a smaller bladder which means they need to be let out more often.

At the end of the day, you know your pup best.

When it comes to adult whippets, they can stay in their crate for up to 8 hours if need be.

If you don’t want your whippet roaming around your house while you’re at work and they’ve created a positive association with their crate they should be fine being in it while you’re at work.

However, if you often work more than 8 hours it’s not healthy, or fair, to leave them in a crate for 10-12 hours everyday.

An 8 hour work day should be the maximum they stay in their crate. If they’re left in it longer than that it can start to create physical and mental health problems.

Be sure you have someone you can contact to let your whippet out of their crate if you’re going to be home late on any given day.

Should Whippets Be Crate Trained?

A crate can be a wonderful tool that benefits both you and your whippet.

Getting a whippet used to being inside a crate can make them feel safe, comfortable and secure.

When your pup has developed a good relationship with their crate it’s a place they will enjoy going to as opposed to resenting it.

Dog’s ancestors lived in dens in the wild and enjoy having a place to sleep where it’s compact.

They naturally feel safe in it.

Also, they naturally don’t want to soil where they sleep which makes crates great to help house train.

Another thing to think about is if your whippet ever has to go to the vet and stay there, they will be put in a crate while at the vet.

And if they aren’t comfortable being in a crate this will only make the situation more stressful for them.

The most important thing about crate training is the training aspect.

This means helping teach your whippet to associate their crate with a place they want to be in.

Not bringing home a crate one day and expecting them to love it right away.

To help ensure you create the best possible experience for your whippet being in their crate check out our 11 tips below.

Related Reading: What’s the Purpose of Crate Training Your Dog?

11 Tips To Help Crate Train Your Whippet

1) Size Matters

Size is extremely important when it comes to crate training.

The goldilocks method is something you want to keep in mind.

Not too big, not too small, just right.

If the crate is too big for your whippet and there’s too much space they will have no problems going to the bathroom on one side of the crate and resting on the other.

If the crate is too small they won’t have any room to sit, stand up, turn around, etc. which will make them uncomfortable.

When getting a crate for your whippet it’s important they’re able to comfortably lie down without touching any walls of the crate.

They should also be able to stand up and turn around without struggle.

To make sure you don’t have to buy multiple crates as your whippet gets older you can get an adult sized crate with a divider.

The divider will allow you to customize the size of the space they’re able to move around in.

As they get older simply open up more space to them by moving the divider.

2) Don’t Overuse The Crate In The Beginning

Whether your whippet is a young pup or an adult isn’t too important.

In both situations you want to make sure you’re not overusing the crate when they’re first getting used to it.

For puppies, it’s because they have a smaller bladder and will need more frequent bathroom breaks.

For adults, if they were never crate trained as a pup they’ll need time to get used to being in it.

Which means gradually increasing their time in the crate as they get used to being inside for short durations.

If they’re kept in their crate for too long before they’re ready it will make being in their crate a place they never want to go.

3) Make it a Place They Want To Be In

If they’re house trained, get them a nice comfortable bed.

Put their favorite toys in their crate.

Give them treats while they’re in their crate.

The more you can make their crate a place they want to be in the more comfortable they’ll be being in their crate.

Do your best to create a positive association between your whippet and their crate from the beginning.

Related Reading: The 10 Best Dog Crates For Separation Anxiety

4) Tire Them Out First

A tired doggo is a well behaved doggo.

If they have too much pent up energy the last thing they’ll want to do is sit still inside their crate.

Which will make them bark, howl and whine until they’re let out.

By making sure they’ve gone for a good long walk before putting them in their crate you’re giving them the best chance of wanting to be in there.

This way they’re more interested in resting than running around playing.

Which makes your whippet much more accepting of being in their crate.

5) Use a Crate Cover

Dens in the wild are small, dark spaces.

And you can help your whippet’s crate emulate a den even more with a crate cover.

When you place a cover over top of their crate it makes it darker and helps them relax and want to rest.

Just like when you’re in a dark room for a while it might make you sleepy.

Also, it limits what your pup can see which helps keep them calm.

If they see people moving around and things happening outside their crate they’ll want to be a part of the action.

This way they’re limited to only seeing out the front which means they won’t get as much FOMO (fear of missing out).

Important note: Always leave the front and back uncovered. A crate cover should only ever cover the sides and top of the crate.

6) Resist Giving In To Whining/Crying

While it can be difficult if your pup is giving you a headache from their whining and crying, it’s important not to give in.

If you let them out when they’re whining or crying they’ll learn that this behavior gets them what they want.

Do your best to only let them out when they’re calm and quiet when in their crate.

Or at least go over and give them love, treats and attention while inside their crate when they’re being calm.

This will help teach them that relaxing inside their crate gets them what they want and whining doesn’t.

7) When Napping – Move Them To The Crate

If during the day you notice your whippet is taking a nap, simply move them into their crate.

They’re already tired and wanting to rest, so by moving them into their crate at this time gets them more used to sleeping in their crate.

The more positive experiences you can give your whippet in their crate the better.

8) Praise Good Behavior

Whenever your whippet has been calm and relaxed in their crate for an extended period of time, remember to acknowledge this behavior.

You want to make sure you’re reinforcing their good behavior as much as possible.

Give them treats, pats on the head or even let them out after they’ve been good for so long.

All this helps train your whippet on how to properly behave in their crate as well as enjoy being inside it.

9) Gradually Increase Time Away

Make sure you’re gradually increasing your time away from your whippet when they’re in their crate.

The key word being gradually.

Slowly increase how long your whippet is in their crate without being able to see you.

This helps them learn that you always come back which can prevent them from developing any high levels of anxiety.

10) Puzzle Toys With Food/Treats

Your whippet likely won’t be sleeping the entire time they’re in their crate, which is why it’s important to give them something they can play with.

Mental stimulation while inside their crate is super important to ensure they don’t become bored and restless.

Puzzle toys that challenge your whippet mentally and reward them with their favorite treats can make their time much more enjoyable inside their crate.

Related Reading: 13 Best Mind Stimulating Dog Toys | Dog Puzzle Toys