Does your new puppy seem to hate his crate? Have you been up for hours due to your puppy crying at night? Then this post is for you!
Bringing home a new puppy is an incredibly exciting experience. However, one of the initial challenges you might face is how to stop your puppy from crying at night. Puppies crying at night is a common issue, particularly during their initial adjustment to a new home. This behavior often stems from anxiety and unfamiliarity they experience in their new environment. While it can be heartbreaking to hear, rest assured it’s a common phase. Understanding and addressing this crying can significantly improve both the puppy’s comfort and your sleep quality. Here are 7 tips to help address and reduce nighttime crying in puppies!
This post is all about tips to stop your puppy crying at night
1. Making The Crate Their Safe Place
It is no secret that the crate is generally not the puppies favorite place the first few nights at home. However with some consistency and time they generally learn to love their own space. This space should feel safe and inviting, mimicking the snugness they felt with their littermates.
If your puppy is not fully crate trained, you will want to avoid putting any blankets or bedding in the crate. If you do, the puppy will pee on the blankets and it will take you MUCH longer to crate train. You can put a soft toy in the crate for them to sleep with. This may help them feel more comfortable since they are generally used to sleeping with their siblings. You also may find it helpful to put a blanket over the top of the crate. This will make the crate feel more like a “den” and may help the puppy feel more secure and sleepy.
2. Play Hard During The Day
Making sure your puppy is completely worn out before bedtime is super important! If they still have tons of energy left from the day, it’ll be way harder for them to settle down. You want to make sure that you have completely emptied their “tired tank.”
3. Start Preparing For Bedtime Earlier In The Evening
Implementing a bedtime routine can work wonders. Include calming activities before bed, such as a gentle walk, soothing petting sessions, and quiet playtime. This routine not only helps your puppy wind down but also signals that it’s time for rest.
3. Time Food & Water Appropriately
Make sure to feed your puppy their last meal of the day several hours before bedtime. This allows enough time for digestion and reduces the need to eliminate during the night. You also will want to pick up their water a least 1 hour before bedtime and offer several poddy breaks prior to going to bed.
{RELATED POST: The Best Time To Start Training Your Puppy}
4. Respond Appropriately To Crying
While it’s important to attend to your puppy’s needs, distinguish between attention-seeking cries and genuine distress. If your puppy is crying simply for attention, avoid reinforcing this behavior by ignoring it unless they need to go outside or are distressed.
For example, if your puppy starts crying as soon as you put him in the crate, he does not need to go outside! He simply doesn’t want to be in there! But if your puppy goes to sleep, and then several hours later, wakes up and is crying, you could check to see if he needs to go out. However, you do not want your puppy to get into a routine of going out several times during the night, so I would try and limit the amount of times you take them out overnight if possible.
5. Use White Noise/Fan
Sometimes, background noise, such as a fan or white noise, can be beneficial. It may help drown out unfamiliar sounds and create a calming atmosphere for your puppy, helping them relax and sleep better.
However, it’s important to avoid other distractions that might interfere with your puppy’s rest. Keeping lights on or playing the TV, for instance, can lead to overstimulation and may prevent your puppy from settling down.
6. Gradual Independence Training
If your puppy is used to being with littermates, they may feel anxious when left alone. Gradually introduce periods of separation during the day to help them adjust to being alone at night. You can do this in several different ways. One way is to put the puppy in the crate and leave the house for 5 to 10 minutes, then return and reassure your puppy that you did not abandon them. Another way is to place the puppy in the crate in a room where they can see you. Leave them in the crate while you do some tasks around the house, such as vacuuming or making dinner. Wait 5 to 10 minutes and then let them out when they are calm and not crying. These gentle approaches help ease them into a routine where they feel secure and confident, even when not surrounded by their littermates.
7.Be Patient & Consistent
Adjusting to a new environment can be overwhelming for a puppy. The first two weeks are always the hardest as you and your puppy are getting used to the new routine. Be patient and consistent in your approach to nighttime routines and responses to crying. Consistency helps your puppy learn what is expected and will help to speed up the process!
This post was about about tips to stop your puppy crying at night
