Bringing home a new pup is exciting. However, when the pooch whines at night and keeps you awake, it becomes less fun. Knowing how to get a puppy to sleep through the night is one skill every newbie dog owner should know.
Your furry baby will become a screaming machine at night. Even with an overflowing love as a paw-rent, you can save yourself from the hassle using the following tips.
Why your puppy whines or barks at night
Most pups know that if they bark or whine, their owner will come running. It’s much like raising a baby. Pups whine or bark at night because they need to potty. This is the same reason why some pooches won’t stop the vocal feast until their owners let them outside.
Take note that mild whining is pretty normal for puppies that are still adjusting to their new environment. Normally, if you’d let the pup sleep away from you, it will let out a whining marathon at night due to fear.
It’s quite tricky to identify which of these two conditions cause the nightly noise. It will help to consult with a veterinarian so s/he can rule out possible urinary tract infections.
Also, you can consider letting your dog sleep in your bedroom. If the whining stops, your pup is just having a case of loneliness.
To get enough shuteye, here are some tips I’ll give to new paw-rents:
Crate the pooch
Naturally, dogs in the wild will seek a small space to sleep in. They do this to avoid predators from attacking while they are asleep. This is the same idea with using a crate. Domesticated dogs feel more secured when contained in a cramped space.
Remember that the crate is for sleeping and not playing. Remove any toys inside and line it with your clean piece of clothing. This way, even if the pup won’t sleep in your bedroom, it will feel secured inside the crate. If this doesn’t fix the problem, you probably need to do the next tip.
Potty break before bedtime
One main reason why pups whine at night is they need to go potty. Make sure that the pooch has pooped and peed before bedtime.
I suggest that you supervise your pup during their last potty before bedtime. Many pups get distracted on the yard and tend to forget why they were there in the first place.
In my experience, an empty pup will sleep soundly than one that always needs to go. Also, doing this will prevent accidents in the morning.
Make the pooch comfortable
It’s possible that your pup is cold at night. Always make bedtime feel comfy enough so the pooch will doze off. Assemble a soft and cozy bed for your pup where it can snuggle comfortably. You can also add a piece of clothing inside so your pup will feel your presence.
You can also play soft music that will rock the doggo to sleep. If the pup proves to be a tough nut, you can use a diffuser which releases a calming pheromone for canines. It contains a synthetic hormone similar to what a nursing mother dog releases.
Assign a single sleeping area
Have you ever find it difficult to sleep in a different bed? This is the same thing with your pup. It’s best to pick a single spot where your dog will sleep for the rest of its stay in your home.
Remember that if you left your pooch sleep in your bed as a pup, it’s likely that they will sleep beside you all their life. Anyway, if you prefer it that way, I don’t see any problem with it. Besides, you can always use a crate to trick your dog.
Before you let your pup hop into your bed, here’s Dr. Lois of the Mayo Clinic as she discusses the effect of having a dog in the bedroom:
Don’t fall into the whining and barking
Since pups know that you’ll be running into them when they bark, they will do this repeatedly out of the blue. Acknowledging the whining and barking only fuels the pup to do it more.
It’s totally fine for a new pup to get noisy on the first days in your home. You can always make use of earplugs to get a good night’s sleep.
However, it’s a different story if your pooch’s whining is starting to annoy the neighbors. You may need to isolate him in a separate room or crate the pooch to sleep in your bedroom.
Lights out
Just like humans, pups’ sleeping cycle is regulated by the release of melatonin. It’s a hormone that’s highly affected by the exposure to light. Dimming your lights during bedtime won’t just help you doze off. It will also let your pup get a good night’s sleep.
Also, you may want to turn the TV off as well as your phone and mobile gadgets. I advise that you put your phone in silent mode unless you’re really waiting for a call.
In case you’re not used to sleeping with the lights off, you can place your pooch inside a crate with cover.
Keep the pup tired
This tip never grows old across breeds. Giving plenty of exercise and playtime during the day will let your pup get a deep slumber by night.
Play mind-stimulating games as well as physically tiring drills. A walk in the morning and playtime during the afternoon will help.
Remember that as the puppy grows, it will need more exercise. By keeping the pooch active, you’re not just helping them sleep better at night. You’re also keeping them in good shape.
If the weather doesn’t allow outdoor activities, you can play fetch indoors or let your doggo pace on the treadmill.
Looking for ideas to release the extra energy of your pup? Here’s Zak George with Kiwi, the Bull Terrier puppy:
Give something to chew on
Some dogs get calmer when they chew on something. This is also a good tip for teething puppies that get really whiny when their gums hurt.
You can freeze carrots and give it to your pooch to ease their sore gums. If you prefer giving toys, make sure that it doesn’t have squeakers. Some dogs tend to have a favorite toy they want to cuddle with while sleeping
Another benefit of giving the pup something to chew is it keeps them entertained in case they wake up earlier than you.
If toys tend to distract your pooch during bedtime, they’re better off without it. In the end, knowing how to get a puppy to sleep through the night is a matter of trial and error.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: My pup would only sleep if it’s close to me, what should I do?
A: If you just brought home a new pup, it’s pretty normal for the pooch to want you around most of the time. This is very much prevalent among lap dogs.
For house-trained pups, I don’t see any problems. However, for those who are yet to be trained, it’s best to set boundaries first. It’s best to get them used to crate training during the day. During the night, you can keep them inside so you can let the pooch sleep in your bedroom.
The first night can be tumultuous since the pup may find it hard to settle down. You may need to reach out to the crate to let the pooch know you’re there.
Q: Why does my pup like to sleep during the day but not at night?
A: If the vet ruled out any urinary tract infection, it’s possible that you’re not keeping the pup tired during the day. You may need to give more exercise and playtime to keep the doggo active.
Also, you might have done crate training improperly which made your dog think that he can sleep anytime.
I suggest that you use the crate as a sign for sleeping time. If you need to contain your dog during the day, it’s best to use a different crate. So when the pooch enters the “sleeping” crate, it knows that it’s downtime already.
Q: Why does my pup wake up too early?
A: Bringing a new pup home means you’ll wake up around 6 am. After a good night’s sleep, your pooch will be recharged. You’ll likely be awakened by the barking or tugging on the sheets.
In case your pup wakes up during wee hours, say 3 pm, this might be a sign that the doggo needs to go potty.
Q: Is it normal for my pup to pee often at night?
A: If the pooch didn’t poop and pee before bedtime, expect that you will be awakened in the middle of the night with constant barking. However, if your pooch seems to whine and bark multiple times, you may need to consult with a vet.
Your pooch may have a urinary tract infection which forces them to pee multiple times a day.
Conclusion
Knowing how to get a puppy to sleep through the night will help you a good night’s slumber. Still, you should be patient with your new pet. Soon enough, the little pooch will settle down in its new home and you as its new owner. After all, it’s just part of raising a well-rounded doggo. A few tips and proper training should do the trick.
