Are you one of the dog enthusiasts struggling to shut off your dog pet? While dogs can be lovely pets to have around a home, you don’t want to condemn your neighbors to the every-other-time barking and whining.
If such noises keep repeating day after another, you are likely not going to like it. And secondly, turns out you’ll be locking horns with neighbors more frequently, trust me this isn’t great.
Pups are culprits when it comes to whining. But who doesn’t want to keep these handsome-looking little creatures?
That’s why I want to provide you a worthwhile solution – soundproofing your dog crate. There is no doubt that a soundproof dog crate would save you bundles of trouble.
So then, how do you soundproof a dog crate?
Well. Stay close. I’m coming there to tell you some of the simplest ways you can implement to make your dog crate a soundproof structure.
What is a Soundproof Dog Crate?
This is a crate made from soundproof materials that can absorb sound and reduce it. Once the dog is inside, its barking will be minimized to certain bearable levels, at least.
One fact you’ve got to know, however, is that it doesn’t stop this noise at a perfect 100% (this cuts across many soundproofing projects).
When installing the soundproof materials, for example, the moving blankets, you want to ensure that you leave out an open side for ventilation. You can’t cover all sides; unless you want to suffocate the dog.
These ‘windows’ you leave are awesome channels for noise transmission. So, basically, you’ll want to use other methods as well to have a quiet environment.
Benefits of Soundproofing a Dog Crate.
Why would you in the first place bother to soundproof a dog crate anyway?
Looks a paltry issue. But the scenario of a dog barking or a small puppy whining cannot be fancied, especially when it’s all quiet and light-sleeping neighbors can’t keep it up in the night.
And by the way, you too want a quiet night. Your children need that sleep.
Learning how to soundproof a dog crate means there’s less or almost no noise. You and your neighbors will wake up in the morning, well, in great spirits.
In short, peace for your family and good relationships with the neighbors.
I can’t overemphasize the need to keep your dog safe. Soundproofing involves actually securing a private space (dogs need this).
This is key as your dog will certainly be less distracted by the goings-on in the surroundings. Whether there were people shouting, or music being played loudly.
The last reason you want a soundproof dog crate pertains to training of the dog. Do you want your dog to be the type that’s always restless?
I guess no one even wishes this to be so. Studies indicate that anxiety (especially when the dog’s left alone for long) can cause it to be distraught, and the next thing to happen – restlessness, whining, name them.
Therefore, for successful coaching of your dog, a dog crate is a worthwhile investment to make.
In view of that, I’ll tell you some of the best ways to soundproof a dog cage.
Challenges of Soundproofing Your Dog’s Crate.
Let me be straightforward; muffling noise on a dog’s cage is kind of tricky. That’s not to mean it’s hard but a few important factors should be taken into consideration.
For example;
- Maintaining Favorable Temperatures
It’s easy to throw a blanket or a couple over the cage. What buffs forget sometimes, is the temperature accumulation inside the covered space.
High temperature can be detrimental to the health of a dog. And when you hear barking or whining, probably the reason could be that discomfort due to the increasing temperatures.
Installing the blankets or other coverings requires first, you choose the right material; breathable for free ventilation. And then, cover the dog cage with care leaving enough space for airflow.
- Poor Ventilation
It would be good to emphasize poor ventilation as a point on its own. The general rule of thumb is to ensure that the material used for soundproofing purposes is the right one.
That is, it permits for free airflow, and does not load high temperatures inside the cage. Fortunately, soundproofing materials usually are crafted with this aspect in mind.
6 Simple Ways to Soundproof a Dog Crate.
The following ways can be great methods of soundproofing a dog cage. As mentioned earlier, don’t expect a pure noise cancellation.
However, they will help reduce a considerable amount of noise coming from your dog’s kennel.
1. Use Moving Blankets
Moving blankets are a cheap way of soundproofing space. I can also refer them to as soundproof blankets for dog crate.
These blankets come with mass and density – key characteristics of their soundproofing properties.
Therefore, they can absorb sounds and also provide insulation. This is why they differ from the regular blankets.
To install these, just cover the sides of the crate and you’re good to go. But always remember, the soundproof blankets have to be heavy if you want the best results. And leave ventilation for the dog.
Great soundproof blankets like these Cheap Cheap Moving Boxes are a good starting point. The design of these blankets incorporates durable non-woven fabric.
The materials used to make them are thick, padded and heavy-duty. You could therefore even use these blankets as bedding for your dog as they come with comfort.
2. Use Absorption Sheets
The second idea is the absorption sheets which are basically soft sound absorbing products used for acoustic projects to help deaden excess sounds. Good for muting mid-high range frequency sounds and also minimize the effect of echoes.
Once installed on the crate, you should be assured that these materials will absorb any potential noises from your dog and noise from outside to the crate.
Absorption sheets are grommeted most of the times for easy mounting. And you won’t have to spend many bucks to secure them, hence, they are cost-effective.
As a quick solution especially for a diy soundproof cage, absorption sheets are easy to install. No rocket science knowledge is required and you can do it on your own.
You will need to be keen on the size you are buying to ensure you get it spot on. I will recommend Audimute Sound Absorption Sheet for your next crate soundproofing project.
This one deadens sound at 0.85 NRC rating. Which offers effective sound deadening properties.
You also won’t have to struggle while mounting it as it has a grommeted design. While the two-in-one feature of sound absorption and sound blocking is just brilliant for serious soundproof enthusiasts.
3. Soundproof Crate Covers
Another inexpensive way to reduce noise to and fro your dog’s cage is using soundproof crate covers. These are simple covers and shouldn’t have any breathability issues.
Like other soundproofing materials, the covers should be thick enough and heavy to truly muffle the noise. Besides, you will need to remove them from the cage effortlessly and wash them without any fuss.
Since they are designed with soundproofing properties, sounds coming through the crate will certainly be minimized once these covers are on.
You also want to have covers that will not totally black out the cage. Blackouts can scare the hell out of the dog and shoot up its fears and stress.
Check out this simple crate cover by Pet Dreams. Comes in different sizes depending on the dimensions of your dog’s crate.
One of the crucial functions of this cover is the breathable materials used to construct it. Your dog will definitely love the environment in the kennel.
4. Soundproof the Wall
You may have learned how to soundproof a dog crate using the above methods without good results anyway. But all isn’t lost, try soundproofing the wall.
Probably your pup is not loving the crate as you expected.
Soundproofing the shared wall can be of great reward. The only thing you need to cope with is the cost involved – it may go slightly above your budget.
But, who cares if this will bring back the peace of mind in the house and with the neighbors? There is a whole lot of methods of soundproofing a wall.
Well. That’s that for soundproofing a crate for your dog.
5. Soundproof Dog Crates and Kennels
However, you could opt to buy soundproof cages and kennels for your dogs.
The market has hundreds of them. You only need to be careful to choose the right one keeping in mind that all these are designed to have different features.
For example, Zencrate Smart Anxiety Relief Dog Crate is the top-rated dog crate when it comes to the quality. It is a small dog den but comes with high-end features including proximity sensors, backup rechargeable battery, WiFi-enabled, waterproof memory foam bed among others just to make your dog comfortable.
Apart from this crate by Zencrate, there are many others you can also try although I will not be reviewing them in this guide.
How to Stop Your Dog Barking in the Crate?
On top of the said methods, you’ve got to be properly responsible when handling the dog. This would include the following;
1. Avoiding Emotional Farewells
Just don’t evoke the emotions of your dog. You don’t want to start crying or hugging excessively when you know what the consequences of your actions will pan out to be.
Simple byes will do.
Otherwise, psychologically, you are preparing and plunging the dog into distress. Once the reality of being lonely comes around, after you’ve gone, barking or whining isn’t going to be hard to do.
2. Play with the Dog to Get It Exhausted
If you are planning to go to town for hours, try to play with the dog. It will eventually get tired and definitely, the only thing in its mind would be to rest.
Then get it inside its sound-reducing dog crate – you may not have to worry all day. The dog will sleep and your neighbors may not even hear a whine.
3. Use a Dog Camera
Install a video system in the kennel and synchronize with your smartphone app to help the dog see you. This way, you will be able to talk to it and even do treats.
The dog will see and hear you and know that, well, you are very much around. This method can help a lot. You may also create a sort of a video and play it to the dog through the app.
4. Find a Dog Sitter
Since a dog feels secure and reassured with someone around, it would probably make sense to have someone sit and play with it while you’re away.
Pay for someone whom you can trust. Alternatively, if there is a family member, that’s even better.
By the time you are back, after any given time, your pet will have been occupied fully. So, peace in the house, and peace with the neighbors.
5. Train the Dog How to Stay in a Crate
This is something a serious dog lover has got to learn. It’s absolutely a practice that you need to pass your dog through.
It takes time to achieve such a goal but it’s definitely something that comes with rewards. You can always do it.
With time, you will notice some changes. The dog begins to develop discipline, causing little trouble and keeping quiet most of the time.
Conclusion
You can learn how to soundproof a dog crate with a variety of methods mentioned in this guide. One may not be enough if you want to go so close to keeping your doggy’s barking at bay.
So, you’ll have to combine two or more for the best results.
Care should be taken when soundproofing the crate. Only use materials that are breathable and probably shouldn’t black out the inside of the crate.
Good examples of the materials you can use include moving blankets, crate covers or the absorption sheets. These materials come with excellent soundproofing properties; thick, dense and sound absorbing structures.
Try out the ones above and you may see a totally different situation with your dog.
