Dogs are the best thing to walk on this planet. They are our best friends. And are there for us when we need them the most. However, in return, they don’t get the same treatment. Most of the time it is totally unintentional. We are prone to overlooking some signs that our companion may be facing some difficulties. Dogs are susceptible to noise and experience extreme anxiety when they hear loud noises like thunder, firecrackers or even traffic. If your dog barks, shakes, howls or hides following a loud sound, that’s an indication to you that your buddy needs your help. You can help your friend by creating a safe space. This safe spot can be anything from a soundproof dog crate, a room or even a closet.
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What’s a Soundproof Dog Crate?
A soundproof dog crate is designed to prevent sound from outside to pass inside the container and vice versa. The purpose of such a crate is to isolate the loud noises from passing through it. If your neighbors complain to you about the dog’s bark, this will help you in that regard too.
If the dog stays inside a soundproof dog crate for a long time, it can adversely affect the dog. So, the question arises, are soundproof dog crates cruel? Do the dogs need the soundproof crates? The answer to the first question is “No.” even though such containers have their cons, but the pros far exceed them. As for the second question Yes, the dogs need them as the many dogs are afraid of loud sounds.
How to Soundproof Dog Crate?
There are several ways of soundproofing your dog’s crate, ranging from DIY to professional methods. If you want a temporary and inexpensive solution you can cover the crate with the blankets and pillows, that will be enough to reduce the sound coming inside it. If this doesn’t work sufficient noise reduction, you can try one of the methods that are discussed in detail below.
#1. Affordable Moving Blankets
If you are looking for an affordable solution than look at blanket from US cargo control. They have quite a few positive reviews on Amazon. You can also look at Big Boxer’s Grommeted Industrial Blanket which is cheaper than the aforementioned. Their wash ability feature is a plus point. The metal grommets will make it easier to attach them to the dog crate. The moving blankets are different from the regular blankets usually found in the home. They are constructed in layers, giving the inner part a thin layer of padding while the external layer is made of soft fabric. This layered construction gives them more density than the ordinary ones which helps in absorbing and dampening the sound.
Due to their large size, you can cover from a small to a medium-sized crate with only one moving blanket. However, use two to three blankets to get better results. If your pet loves to chew, either put a chew-able toy or avoid softer material while purchasing the blanket.
Once you have the blanket, wrap the exterior of the crate in the blanket and tuck the corners inward. Make sure to leave enough space from the front for ventilation and temperature regulation. For a more detailed explanation of the working of soundproofing blankets, you can read my article on it here.
#2. Crate Cover
Dog crate covers are an excellent option for canceling the noise coming in and out of the crate. They are very easy to apply on the crate. The rule of thumb is to choose a crate cover with thick fabric and padding layer as it will dampen the sound and provide a comfortable place for your dog.
If you are looking for an inexpensive dog crate cover with waterproof qualities than Petsfit polyester crate cover will suffice. Even though this cover doesn’t soundproof the crate completely still it will reduce the noise and echoes significantly. If you have a better budget, then go with the Pet dreams crate cover. It will turn your dog crate into a sanctuary. This three-piece bedding set will not only reduce the noise but also provide a cozy and relaxing place for the pet. The material used in this cover is machine washable so in case you need to wash the cover it will be much easier than the other options.
#3. Acoustic Panel
The acoustic foams are cut in small panels with wedge or pyramid patterns. These panels cancel the sound by bouncing them through the multiple surfaces and absorbing the sound. So, using such products may be just the thing.
You can try cheaper alternatives like egg cartons or carpets. However, the results will not be that great. So, it is recommended to get the acoustic foam panel. They won’t cost you a fortune because you are only going to cover a small area.
If you decide to go with the acoustic foam then Mybecca 12 pack acoustic panels and 8 pack acoustic panels are good options.
#4. Soft Crate
If you are looking for a simple solution, then you can purchase a soft crate. Soft crates usually have some padding, which makes them reduce noise entering and exiting out of them. These crates are collapsible, so you can put them away when not needed. Additionally, they are more comfortable than wired crates.
The Petsfit soft portable crate is a basic foldable crate with a simple metal frame. The whole frame is made up of mesh material which is good for temperature control and airflow. This crate comes with soft bedding. The bedding inside the crate is removable and easy to wash.
Noz2Noz Soft-Krater Indoor and Outdoor Crate is a similar product, despite costing more than Petsfit, it doesn’t come with bedding. It does look more attractive and keeps the barking quieter. And being a soft crate it deadens the outside noise.
Soundproof the Room
If you don’t want to soundproof the crate or you are adverse to the idea of dogs being kept in closed spaces, then another option is to soundproof the whole room. You can achieve this in various ways from soundproofing the door, the wall, or the window. Although you would have to find from where most of the noise is entering your room. You can read this excellent guide on soundproofing a room on a budget. You can either soundproof the whole room or just stop the noise at the windows by using sound deadening curtains. Here I am listing all those methods with a brief explanation of how those methods work. All of these are budget-friendly solutions and they are very effective dampening the noise. You can either use one of them or use them in combination for a far superior result. If there are budget constraints, don’t worry you can implement them one by one.
#1. Soundproofing the Window
Most of the noise enters a house through the windows. If it is dampened there with some kind of barrier, you will be able to reduce the noise significantly. One such method of soundproofing a window is the use of noise reduction curtains. These curtains are available in different colors and designs, and most of them cost less than $40. For more information, you can check out my guide on the best soundproof curtains. There you can find numerous options to choose from. But I would recommend going with either Nicetown blackout curtains or the best fashion blackout curtains as they perform exceptionally well. For better results you should order four panels instead of two, they are inexpensive and the total expenditure will be way below $100.
Another solution is to hang your old blankets against windows. They will act as a buffer and will be able to absorb at least 50% of the noise. If you combine it with a window insert you can improve the soundproofing. For more information read this article on soundproofing a window.
#2. Soundproofing the Door
You can also soundproof your door for dampening the sounds entering the house. Most of the doors have small gaps around the frame which lets any sound pass through them, by closing those gaps you can reduce the amount of noise entering the room.
There are some quick and easy solutions to achieve satisfactory results. High-density weather tape and door sweep are an excellent solution for filling those gaps between the door and floor. If your door is too thin, then you can use acoustic covers or curtains for reducing the noise. You can also try to cover these gaps with a blanket if you are just looking for a temporary solution. If you have a barn door then this guide can be helpful.
#3. Soundproofing the Wall And Ceiling
If you are going the soundproofing home route, then you should consider soundproofing the wall/ceiling. Doing this will deaden the sound of thunders and lightning. Here in this article, you can find more on soundproofing the wall in cheap. There are several methods in that guide including a DIY method for noise reduction. But soundproofing a wall is a complex task. You won’t be able to achieve true soundproofing but the dampening 30-50% of the noise is easy. Using mass loaded vinyl and acoustic foam panels in combination to achieve this result. You can follow this guide from the soundproof cow for dampening the sound from the ceilings. These methods can be costly and you can skip the idea of soundproofing the walls if you are not convinced about spending money. You should focus more on making windows and doors soundproof.
#4. Carpeting The Floor
Carpeting the floor also plays an important role in soundproofing the room. As the material used in most of the carpets is higher in density, it makes it easier for them to reduce echoes and absorb the noise. Carpeting itself won’t make any huge impact, but with combining it with the other methods mentioned above, you will see a significant improvement.
Make the Dog Feel Safe
If this is the first time you are introducing your dog to a crate, it will take some time for them to get used to it. If your dog feels anxious in the crate you will need to help the pup feel relaxed in the crate. You can try the following methods to help your dog remain calm.
#1. Crate Train the Dog
If your dog doesn’t feel comfortable in a crate, then you will have to teach him to relax inside it. To get the dog used to it take these steps in the beginning.
- For the initial period accompany the pup until he gets used to it.
- Keep the crate open.
- Comfortable bedding will help the dog to get used to it much faster.
- Place it in familiar spots or keep it close to you.
#2. Playing Toy
Toys are the perfect entertainment for many pets and dogs are not an exception. The fluffy toys can also help the dog to relax inside the crate. If your dog already has a favorite toy, place it inside the crate. This will help the pup to get used to the crate. This is a way of making the dog associate the crate with playing spot and make the pup enthusiast about it instead of being anxious.
If your dog doesn’t already have a toy already, check this fluffy toy. It’s a great toy for both puppies and grown-up dogs. Dogs are more likely to stay relaxed when they have a toy to chew on. This toy will keep the dog focused and they are less likely to make noise to get your attention. A better option would be if you can make a schedule to play with them.
#3. Cut Down Farewells
I know this is the hardest part for you to leave the dog alone without a farewell even if it is for a few hours. Making an emotional farewell can leave a wrong impression on the dog. It might take it seriously and think you are abandoning him.
Instead, try to make your departure emotionless, so it sends a signal that you are going for a short period and going to return soon. This way the dog will feel less anxious.
Final Thoughts: How to Soundproof Dog Crate
If the barking of your dog is bothering your neighbors or the noise from road startles your dog, soundproofing the crate will be a simple and economical solution. If you aren’t interested in a DIY project you can buy soundproof dog crates available in the market. There are other methods too, like training your dog and buying soft crates. You will find other products on the market like a shock collar, anti-barking collar, etc. But I won’t recommend them as they do more harm than the good. Your best option is to soundproof the crate. And as you have observed, it is quite easy to soundproof a dog crate by using a number of methods like:
- Regular Blankets
- Moving Blankets
- Acoustic Foam
- Crate Covers