Don’t know what to do with a crying puppy at night?
Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Puppies can be notoriously noisy and restless when they’re trying to get comfortable. But don’t despair – you can do plenty of things to help them sleep through the night.
Interested to learn more? Continue reading!
What to Do With a Crying Puppy at Night?
If your puppy won’t stop crying at night, don’t worry; this is more common than you think. This is especially true if you just got your puppy and they are still adjusting to their new home. But why do puppies cry at night and what can you do about it?
Four main factors that might cause this are:
- Your puppy is in pain;
- Your pooch is hungry;
- They’re afraid;
- Tummy issues.
Now that you know what might cause this, let’s look at how to stop your puppy whining at night.
- First, make sure that they have everything they need in their crate: water, food, a warm blanket, or their favorite chew toy;
- Take them out for a final potty break before bedtime;
- Reassure them with your voice and presence—sit by the crate and talk to them calmly until they settle down.
- If all else fails, you may need to put on some calm background noise or music to help drown out the sound of their crying.
Whatever you do, try to stay calm and patient. Remember that this is only temporary and your puppy will soon adjust to their new home!
How to Keep a Puppy From Crying at Night: Tips and Tricks!
If you find your new puppy at night crying it’s probably upset and stressed. There are a few things you can do to help stop the behavior:
1. Potty train your puppy: One of the main reasons puppies cry at night is because they need to go to the toilet. For this reason, it’s imperative to take your puppy out once before going to bed. If it’s a very young puppy, you might also need to wake up early the next day for a potty break.
2. Teach your puppy to sleep in its crate: Crating your puppy can help them feel more secure and comfortable at night. Be sure to introduce the crate gradually and make it a positive experience for your puppy by putting their favorite dog toys and treats inside.
3. Try comforting your furry friend: Dogs are social creatures; sometimes they just need comforting reassurance that you’re nearby. Try leaving the television or radio on at a low volume overnight so they can hear voices and know you’re close by.
4. Tire your dog out: A tired dog is a sleepy dog. Be sure to give your dog plenty of exercise during the day, so they’re ready to sleep at night. If your dog is still full of energy at bedtime, try playing a game of fetch or tug-of-war to tire them out.
5. Make sure you stick to a routine: Dogs are creatures of habit, and they thrive on routines. Try to keep mealtimes, walks, and bedtime as consistent as possible daily so your dog knows what to expect.
6. Avoid distracting them at all costs: Dogs are easily distracted and if there’s something in their environment that’s causing them to cry (e.g., changes in the household, another pet in the home, etc.), try to remove or eliminate the source of the distraction.
7. Take your dog to a check-up: If your dog is crying and you can’t figure out why it’s always best to consult your veterinarian just to rule out any possible health issues.
8. It might be crying in their sleep: This is very common, so there’s no need to worry. Usually, puppies cry when they’re in their REM (rapid eye movement) cycle. If this is the case, use your voice not your hands. Talk to the puppy in a calm soothing noise until it wakes up or calms down.
These are just a few tips to help stop your dog from crying at night. If your puppy is still crying at night after 3 weeks, it’s best to consult with a professional trainer to get to the root of the problem.
How Long Does a Puppy Cry at Night?
If you’ve started crate training your puppy, and it started whining, don’t worry, it won’t last for long. As it gets used to you and its new surroundings, it will cry less and less. In the beginning, a dog might cry for an hour, even two, although it will eventually come down and stop crying completely.
However, it all depends on how you’ve introduced your puppy to sleeping alone. If you’ve done it gradually and patiently, the crying will be shorter-lived. If you’ve done it abruptly, the crying might go on for a while. But eventually, all puppies will learn to sleep through the night.
How Long Can You Let a Puppy Cry in a Crate?
Unfortunately, there is no definite answer to this question. On the one hand, you should never leave your puppy to cry out throughout the night, while on the other, you shouldn’t teach your dog to be over-dependent on you.
Therefore, it all goes back to gradual crate training. Teach your puppy to slowly get used to its crate, and it will soon learn to sleep on its own without whining. Crate training takes patience and consistency, but it’s worth it. Your puppy will learn that its environment is safe and that being in a crate isn’t so bad after all.
FAQs
Should you ignore a crying puppy?
No, you shouldn’t. A puppy’s crying is its way of communicating with people. If you ignore a puppy’s cries, it will become anxious and may even start to whine or bark incessantly. Responding to a puppy’s cries will help it feel secure and loved, which is essential for its development.
Should I let my puppy cry it out?
Letting your puppy cry it out is not recommended for a number of reasons. First, puppies are incapable of self-soothing and need our help to learn how to settle down.
Second, crying is a sign of distress and can potentially lead to more anxiety and behavioral issues down the road.
Third, puppies need our guidance and love during this crucial period of development and separating them from us in order to let them “cry it out” goes against everything our instinct tells us to do.
Bottom Line
So, what to do with a crying puppy at night? The answer is simple – just follow these tips, and you’ll be on your way to helping the little buddy get some shut-eye.
