How To Stop A Puppy Crying At Night
Bringing a new puppy into your home is an exciting and rewarding experience, but it often comes with challenges, especially when it comes to bedtime. One common struggle for new puppy owners is dealing with the puppy’s cries during the night.
Puppies may cry at night for various reasons, such as anxiety, loneliness, or the adjustment to a new environment. However, with the right strategies and a bit of patience, you can help your puppy learn to settle down and sleep peacefully through the night.
In this guide, we will explore practical tips and techniques to stop a puppy from crying at night. Let’s dive into the steps to ensure a good night’s sleep for everyone in the household.
First of all, Why Do Some Puppies Cry At Night?
Puppies cry at night for various reasons:
- New Environment:
- Moving to a new home can be scary for a puppy, making them feel anxious and cry.
- Loneliness:
- Puppies are social, and they may cry at night when they miss their family or other pets.
- Attention Seeking:
- Some puppies cry to get your attention, especially if they’ve learned it leads to interaction.
- Hunger or Thirst:
- Puppies with small stomachs may cry if they’re hungry or thirsty.
- Need to Potty:
- Limited bladder control means puppies might cry to signal they need to go outside.
- Fear or Insecurity:
- New environments or strange sounds can make puppies feel scared, leading to crying.
- Discomfort:
- Uncomfortable sleeping conditions, like being too hot or cold, can cause crying.
- Teething Pain:
- Teething can be painful, and puppies may cry more at night due to discomfort.
How To Stop A Puppy Crying At Night
Understanding why your puppy is crying helps you address their needs and reduce nighttime crying over time. Now, we give you all the tips you need to settle your puppy down in the evening so that you both sleep until morning.
1.Create a Comfortable Sleeping Environment:
Make sure that the puppy has a really comfortable sleeping place in a quiet area and away from drafts. Choose a bed with high sides to give a sense of security, or a crate with a blanket positioned over the top.
It’s important that the puppy’s crate is his ‘safe place’ where he can go to relax and not somewhere he is taken to as a punishment.
Encourage the puppy into his crate during the day with a tasty treat or new toy. Leave the door open and get the puppy used to coming and going.
Leave the puppy with a favourite toy and a T shirt or sweater that smells of you and a soft blanket to snuggle in.
2.Establish a Routine:
Dogs love routine, so make sure that bedtimes are always the same.
A trip outside, a treat and an established sleep time will soon become part of your dogs normal routine.
3.Gradual Separation:
If your puppy is used to being with you all the time, start with short periods of separation during the day to help them adjust to being alone at night.
4.Cool Down:
The puppy will sleep better if he/she has had plenty of exercise and stimulation throughout the day. However, in the evening it’s important that the puppy learns to relax and calm down before bed.Put toys away an hour before bedtime and encourage cuddles in a really calm environment.
Should You Leave A Puppy To Cry At Night?
Anyone who has experienced a puppy crying at night knows just how much stamina they have!
People say ‘leave him to cry, he’ll soon wear himself out’.
It’s easy to underestimate just how long the crying can continue for.
Also, there may be a very good reason why the puppy is crying. He may need to empty his bladder or bowels, he may be cold, he may be frightened and needing reassurance or he may be in pain.
Follow the steps above to establish a good night time routine, then place the puppy in his bed, say goodnight and leave the room.
If the puppy cries for over ten minutes, return to the room and speak to him quietly, then leave again. Next time leave the puppy for a little longer before returning.
Continue to do this until the puppy settles.
Don’t forget young dogs bladders are very small and you might need a midnight toilet break for the first few weeks.
Top Tip:
Consider leaving a radio playing quietly with soothing classical music. Or, consider a white noise machine or mobile app.These methods help your puppy enhance their sleep environment by providing a consistent, soothing background noise that helps mask other sounds.Experiment with different music and volumes to see which one relaxes your pup the most.
Read more about the benefits of classical music to dogs:
Dogs Sleeping In Owners Beds
It really is up to you if you allow your puppy to sleep with you in your bed.
However, just a few things to bear in mind:
- Once you allow this once, there is no going back!
- Puppies grow fast, do you like your space?
- Extra bed linen laundering will be required.
Conclusion
Stopping your puppy’s nighttime cries is all about creating a comfy and secure space for him. Set up a routine, introduce alone time gradually, and provide a relaxing space. Don’t expect instant results and remember this frustrating time doesn’t last for ever.
More Puppy Help
Well this will be useful if I get another one!
I did the mistake almost 10yrs ago now, i told myself « he gonna sleep in his kennel! »… and sure enough, it failed 😂 to be fair I was so exhausted from the exhausting long drive we had to pick him up.. when he woke me and didnt wanted to go back I lost it 🫢 too tired for this, come on in bed- never tried with his younger sister 😅
There’s nothing nicer than sleeping next to your dog, so I don’t blame you.