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Bringing a new puppy home can be a very exciting time. It is important to have a plan in place so you know how to get your puppy to sleep at night. Having a routine will help you get through the sleepless night and potty training a little easier. Here is a guide to show you how to get your puppy to sleep at night.
Use a designated space, like a crate, for your puppy’s sleeping area. A crate is highly recommended by most vets and dog trainers. Make sure there is enough space for your puppy to stand up and lay down comfortably.
While potty training, your puppy shouldn’t have too much space. If they are able, they may use the bathroom in one part of the sleeping area, and sleep in the other. It is best to leave the crate empty. This will prevent your puppy from having accidents in their crate and keep them safe while they are teething. Some puppies chew and eat their bedding so until they get through teething, it is safer to leave the bed out.
Feeding your puppy on a schedule will not only help them sleep at night but will also help with potty training.
Food should be set out for no more than fifteen minutes at a time (unless otherwise advised by your vet). If your puppy does not eat all of their food, pick it up, and try again at the next mealtime. This establishes an eating routine and will help keep your puppy on a schedule.
Dinner time should fall about three hours before bedtime. This allows your puppy time to digest and go to the bathroom before bedtime.
Keep water out all day for your puppy. It is important to let them graze on their water so they do not get in the habit of drinking too much when allowed. We want them to eat all of their food at once, but if they do that with water it can lead to accidents and upset stomachs. However, it is ok to pick up their water before bedtime. Use the same time frame as you would with their food.
If your puppy is struggling to settle in the evenings, it may be due to lack of exercise. They should be getting multiple short walks every day, along with interactive play with toys and treats.
Mental stimulation will also help tire your puppy out. Teaching them basic commands like sit and lay down can be done with treats. This will tire them out almost as much as a walk!
It is easiest to keep your puppy out of your bed while training them to sleep through the night. It helps them sleep better, and makes potty training much easier.
Once they are comfortable in their sleeping space, you should start to close them in it. If they whine or bark, you cannot let them out. You shouldn’t talk to them or coddle them in any way. To you, it seems comforting, but to them, it is just rewarding their tantrum. It is very important to let them work through their anxiety. They should be fed and taken out to go to the bathroom so there should be no reason they _need_ to be let out.
Place your puppy in their sleeping space throughout the day. Puppies sleep a lot so take advantage of their downtime to work in some training! This will prevent them from following you around constantly. Establishing these boundaries will help immensely in the long run.
When you bring your puppy home there may be a small adjustment period. They are in a new environment and the food you are feeding them may be different. It is important to monitor them closely. If they have an upset stomach that keeps them up at night, you should take them to the vet as soon as possible.
This change in environment may also cause some anxiety. Puppies often go from being with their littermates to being the only dog in your home. Since dogs are pack animals, this will take some time for them to adjust to. You must allow your puppy to become familiar with their sleeping space for this reason. There are a lot of changes happening in their lives and having a consistent routine and space will alleviate their anxiety.
Noise can also create anxiety in puppies. If you live in an apartment with noisy neighbors it may keep your puppy awake at night. Also, noise from cars and businesses in your area can cause restlessness.
Many puppies are afraid of thunder and lightning. If your puppy is struggling through a storm it is ok to get them out of their crate. Try using toys to distract them and let them play. You can use treats to work them through it as well. Most dogs do better when they are anxious if they are put to work. Instead of trying to hold onto them and make them be still, work on some training. It will show them that you are in charge and in control. This helps them see you as someone who can protect them.
Some dogs benefit from medicinal intervention. CBD oil has become a popular holistic treatment for anxiety. Consult with your vet about proper dosages and other treatment options.
Getting your puppy to sleep through the night can be a simple process if you follow these guidelines. Making sure your puppy is safe and comfortable is the number one priority. It can be a slow and challenging process. In taking these steps, you can get through it faster. You can ensure your puppy’s sleeping through the night in a space they are happy to be in.
Nicole is a professional dog trainer who has been in the business for about 5 years. She has two dogs of her own. Milli is a ten-year-old Beagle with plenty of sass to go around, and Axel is her three-year-old Pit bull who has more energy than anyone knows what to do with. Both of her dogs are rescues who came to her with their own set of issues. Working with troubled dogs is where her passion for dog training started. She has grown to learn that teaching people how to communicate with their fur babies allows them to enjoy happy and stress-free lives together.
Working through a multitude of different dog problems has allowed Nicole to become very knowledgeable of the best products out there: collars, leashes, toys, treats, beds, crates, and even hiking, camping, and boating gear for pups with a more “extreme” lifestyle. Nicole is always learning and growing, so she can find what is best for her dogs and yours!
