If you have or are getting a young puppy, it won’t be the first night you spend with them that they sleep through the night. It may take time. To help you (and your puppy) get some shut-eye at night, I’ve included some puppy training advice below.
Although each puppy is unique, generally speaking, your little one will be able to sleep through the night by anywhere between 15 and 19 weeks, depending on a lot of factors. Activity, schedules, and food/water intake are among them. Within the first week of living with me, my maltipoo, Dawson, started sleeping through the night. A few weeks later, he started sleeping in his crate in a different room. I’ll first discuss what I did before making some general recommendations.
Dawson did not want to be in his crate when I first introduced it to him. This first weekend I spent a lot of time showing him that the crate was a cozy and secure place to sleep. Please read the entire account of how I trained him in a crate on this blog.
When they are awake, young puppies have a lot of energy, so the evening hours can be active times. Dawson was no exception. I played with him and included mind games in our time together when he was active. Approximately 30 minutes before I was set to retire to bed I began winding down. Before going to bed, I gave him water, and after 8:00 p.m., he was not given any food. I had been working on getting him accustomed to sleeping in his crate. I brought him into my darkened room just before bedtime, gave him a potty break outside, and then encouraged him to get into his crate and lie on his Snuggly Puppy Heartbeat dog stuffed animal. Then I covered his crate. When he whimpered in the middle of the night, I brought him quietly back to his crate and placed him on his stuffed animal after I took him outside to use the restroom. He went right back to sleep. To get us both going for the rest of the day, I woke up around 6:30 in the morning.
He stopped whimpering in the middle of the night sometime during the first week and simply slept through the night. I simply kept the crate in the other room at that point because he was so at ease there. He saw it as no different from taking a nap in that crate, which he had been doing all day. I made that area dark and made him go into the crate in that room when it was time for bed. He slept through the night. For us, it was a natural progression because I had spent so much time crate training.
Spend the time necessary to teach your puppy to nap and rest in his crate or other place of seclusion during the day. It is more likely that your puppy will exhibit those behaviors at night if prior experience has taught him or her that the crate is a place to relax, close his or her eyes, breathe slowly, and fall asleep.
Puppies require a lot, including social, mental, physical, dietary, and rest needs. Having a daily puppy schedule can help you guarantee that those requirements are consistently met. Puppies in their early stages require anywhere from 17 to 19 or 20 hours of sleep per day, depending on their age, activity level, and individual. That much sleep needs to be scheduled throughout the day. They also need a lot of enrichment and socialization opportunities. Like human children, puppies who are too tired will be more likely to bite, zoom, jump, and exhibit other undesirable behaviors. To get your puppy to calm down, practice knowing when to stop playing and start calming your body language. Giving your puppy a bully stick or other chew toy can be beneficial.
Puppies frequently want to move early in the evening (and morning). The best activities during those times include training games that require mental challenge. A puppy that has been playing around will require more sleep later.
Young puppies have very limited bladder and bowel control. Generally speaking, the sooner the control comes, the larger the breed For instance, you shouldn’t anticipate a Labrador Retriever to be in control until it is about 12 weeks old. That control could take place in small dogs as late as 16 weeks. It depends on your individual pet. Having said that, you are learning new things about your puppy every day. Your puppy can still learn where you want him to urinate even though he may not be able to hold it in for as long. Because of this, careful management, planning, and training are crucial. You should therefore take your puppy outside in the evenings, plan to get up during the night to take your puppy outside, and then again as soon as your puppy wakes up in the morning.
Generally speaking, it is a good idea to pick up food and water a few hours before going to bed. (If your puppy is really small, you might want to first consult your veterinarian.) ).
Create a Bedtime Routine Start by reducing your and your puppy’s energy in the final hour before bed, and especially in the final thirty minutes. Avoid engaging in any active play or games then because doing so will make them more alert. Give your puppy something quiet to chew on at this time. You might want to take your puppy into a room with less stimulation if your family is busy.
If you have a new puppy, place the crate close to your bed when it’s time for bed, especially those first few nights. Include some soft and comfortable items in the crate. When you bring your puppy inside, you can also keep the room dark. Additionally, your puppy might prefer to have his crate covered.
Bringing home a new puppy definitely has its challenges. Getting the rest that YOU need is one of them. Remember, YOU will get through this. And, so will your puppy. You have many years to enjoy ahead of you!.
Create a Bedtime Routine Start by reducing your and your puppy’s energy in the final hour before bed, and especially in the final thirty minutes. Avoid engaging in any active play or games then because doing so will make them more alert. Give your puppy something quiet to chew on at this time. You might want to take your puppy into a room with less stimulation if your family is busy.
Dawson did not want to be in his crate when I first introduced it to him. This first weekend I spent a lot of time showing him that the crate was a cozy and secure place to sleep. Please read the entire account of how I trained him in a crate on this blog.
If you have a new puppy, place the crate close to your bed when it’s time for bed, especially those first few nights. Include some soft and comfortable items in the crate. When you bring your puppy inside, you can also keep the room dark. Additionally, your puppy might prefer to have his crate covered.
When they are awake, young puppies have a lot of energy, so the evening hours can be active times. Dawson was no exception. I played with him and included mind games in our time together when he was active. Approximately 30 minutes before I was set to retire to bed I began winding down. Before going to bed, I gave him water, and after 8:00 p.m., he was not given any food. I had been working on getting him accustomed to sleeping in his crate. I brought him into my darkened room just before bedtime, gave him a potty break outside, and then encouraged him to get into his crate and lie on his Snuggly Puppy Heartbeat dog stuffed animal. Then I covered his crate. When he whimpered in the middle of the night, I brought him quietly back to his crate and placed him on his stuffed animal after I took him outside to use the restroom. He went right back to sleep. To get us both going for the rest of the day, I woke up around 6:30 in the morning.
Generally speaking, it is a good idea to pick up food and water a few hours before going to bed. (If your puppy is really small, you might want to first consult your veterinarian.) ).
How to stop puppy crying at night
All puppies cry, and it’s their way of communicating with you. It may be that your puppy is feeling anxious. After all, your puppy was accustomed to sleeping with his or her mother and siblings, and now they must become accustomed to sleeping alone.
Your puppy may be whining for your attention or crying because they need to go potty. You should quickly learn which noises you should pay attention to and which you should ignore. Being patient can be challenging when you’re feeling worn out.
Cathy holds the CPDT-KA and CBCC-KA certifications from the Certification Council of Professional Dog Trainers. Cathy is a member of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers, the Pet Professional Guild, and the Dog Writers Association of America. She is also a Fear Free Certified Certified Professional.
She enjoys reading, hiking with her two Cardigan Welsh Corgis, and paddleboarding when she’s not obsessing over dogs.
As Preventive Vets dog behavior expert and lead trainer at Pupstanding Academy, Cathy focuses on helping humans and their pets build a strong relationship based on trust, clear communication, and the use of positive reinforcement and force-free methods. With over 13 years of experience, she has had the opportunity to work with hundreds of dogs on a wide variety of training and behavior issues. Her specialties include dog aggression, resource guarding, separation anxiety, and puppy socialization.
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FAQ
At what age can puppies sleep through the night without peeing?
Your puppy should be able to begin sleeping through the night without having to use the restroom by the time they are about 4 months old. (Although small breeds take longer as their bladders are smaller. ) If your puppy awakens in the middle of the night to use the restroom, remain composed and avoid giving them too much attention.
How can I get my puppy to sleep all night?
- Make the crate inviting. A new puppy shouldn’t be given an expensive dog bed because he will probably chew it up.
- Establish a bedtime routine. …
- Keep his sleep area quiet and dim. …
- Don’t give in at bedtime. …
- Be prepared for interruptions.
Can a 12 week old puppy sleep through the night?
In general, puppies won’t sleep through the night until they’re about four months old, so you’ll need to let it out once or twice until then.
How long should a puppy be able to sleep at night?
A puppy, up to the age of three months, requires, on average, 6 to 10 hours of sleep at night and 20 hours of total sleep per day. Your puppy’s needs for sleep will ultimately depend on their age and breed because their bodies and brains are still developing.