Just like human babies, puppies cry a lot. Basically, puppies cry all the time – when they are hungry, when they thirsty, when they are sleepy, when they are bored, and when they want to grab your attention. Sometimes, you will feel pleased when your puppy’s crying stops when it sees you. However, other times, for example, during the wee hours of the night, your puppy’s crying can be disturbing.
Should I Leave My Puppy To Cry At Night?
So, should I leave my puppy to cry at night? If your puppy is crying just because it is bored and wants to get your attention or does not want to stay alone, you should let it cry. Eventually, it will get tired and fall asleep. If you come running every time it starts crying, you are reinforcing the behavior. However, if your puppy is crying because it feels hungry or needs a potty break, you should not let it unattended.
Differentiating between whether your puppy’s crying indicates boredom or basic need could be a challenging task, especially at the beginning. However, over time, as you start to know your puppy better, understanding what it needs and why it cries will become much more manageable.
Why Is My Puppy Crying At Night?
First of all, we must emphasize that it is normal for your puppy to cry during the first few nights. Until that moment, the puppy was together with its mother and littermates and did everything together. The stress associated with the separation is an objective reason for crying. Plus, the new environment exposure adds to the stress.
This crying is not something you want to stop or prevent – it is normal, and you will just have to plug your ears and go through with it. It is advisable to get your dog before the weekend or take a few days off of work so you can allow yourself a few sleepless nights.
If the puppy continues to cry after having spent several nights in your house, there are few potential reasons:
- Boredom
- Loneliness
- Need to pee or poop
- Hunger or thirst
- Uncomfortable sleeping conditions.
The first two reasons are not objective. Eventually, your puppy will have to learn how to cope with being alone and understand that bedtime means sleeping, not crying.
As for the other three reasons, you need to ensure those needs are met. If they are met, you can let your puppy cry until it gets tired and fall asleep.
Should I Ignore My Puppy Crying At Night?
As already mentioned, whether you should or should not ignore your puppy crying at night depends on why it is crying.
It is unreasonable to ignore your puppy’s need to pee and then scold it the next day when you step into a pee puddle. On the other hand, it is also unreasonable to let your puppy manipulate you to spend time together because it feels bored.
At first, it will be hard to understand why your puppy is crying – a fundamental need or a whim. However, as time passes, you will be able to make a difference. Sometimes, puppies cry differently based on what they are trying to tell.
Do not expect to understand your puppy right away. The process can be lengthy, but things will be much easier once you and your puppy get in sync.
How Long Should I Leave A Puppy To Cry At Night?
There is no rule when it comes to the puppy’s crying tenacity. Some puppies cry during the first few nights and then stop altogether. Others will cry for few weeks.
The crying pattern is different too. For example, some puppies will spend the entire night crying and then the whole day sleeping because crying can be more exhausting than you can imagine. Others may cry for an hour and then rest for an hour.
If your puppy is crying for more than an hour, it is advisable to check on it but possibly without the puppy noticing your presence. That way, you will be sure there is nothing wrong going. If your puppy sees you, it will start associating your company with crying, which means you are encouraging its attention-seeking efforts.
How Do I Get My New Puppy To Stop Crying At Night?
Sadly, there is no one-type-fits-all method for stopping your puppy’s night crying. There are different techniques, and each puppy responds to them in its own way. However, there are certain things you can do to help your puppy go through the night without crying.
Make the crate a safe and comfortable space
Crates are a highly debated puppy training tool. However, if properly used, they can be pretty beneficial. Dogs have strong denning instincts, and once your puppy starts perceiving its crate as its own personal den, you will have trouble luring it out.
For the first few nights, you can keep the crate in the bedroom, where you can keep a close eye on your dog. Place comfy blankets inside the crate and add several different toys – soft and chew toys. Heartbeat toys are also a good choice because their ticking can mimic the presence of the mother and littermates. Plus, most heartbeat toys are heated.
To make your puppy get used to the crate, you can even serve its meals inside. That way, your puppy will associate the crate with something positive – food.
Stay strong and ignore the crying
Persistence is the key. You need to ignore the crying and acknowledge that you might not get very much sleep during the first few nights after bringing your new puppy home. Alternatively, you can wear earplugs.
Keep in mind that you are not the only one troubled by your puppy’s nighttime vocal sessions – apologize to the neighbors, roommates, or anyone else potentially bothered.
As tempting as it may be, you need to resist going to your puppy and offering comfort. Listening to your puppy cry is distressing, but it is the better option in the long run. Keep in mind that things will get better really soon – every night is more accessible than the previous.
Ensure proper stimulation during the day
Dogs are social animals and thrive on human interactions. Even young puppies need plenty of physical and mental stimulation. Both activities are important for the puppy’s development. They are also important because they are tiring.
If your puppy is tired, it will spend most of the night resting. On the other hand, if your puppy spent the entire day snoozing, it will feel fully energized and ready for shenanigans by bedtime.
Make a potty break schedule
Puppies have small bladders and cannot go too much time with peeing. It is recommended to set the alarm so you can take your puppy out for a potty break. Set the alarm at the same time every night.
That way, your puppy’s peeing need will be satisfied but under your terms. It is also advisable to take your puppy out and get it back to its crate without making too much fuss – the puppy needs to understand the purpose of your waking up was for it to pee, not play or receive cuddles.
Puppy Crying At Night – What Not To Do?
Knowing what not to do is just as important as knowing what to do. There is a popular misconception that calming chews and supplements can be used to prevent your puppy from crying.
Crying at night is not an objective reason that justifies the use of such calming chews and supplements. Always consult with your vet before giving your puppy something.
Conclusion
As a responsible puppy parent, you want to indulge your puppy in every possible way and ensure its maximum comfort and well-being. Therefore, listening to your puppy cry is a distressing situation.
Your first instinct is to go and comfort your puppy. However, before acting instinctively, you need to consider whether your actions encourage your puppy’s behavior.
Sometimes, running to your puppy every time it starts crying can do more damage than good. Namely, if your puppy’s basic needs are met and crying just to lure you into playtime or find its way into your bed, it is best to ignore the crying.
FAQs
How long should I let my puppy cry?
Most puppies tire easily. If your puppy is particularly tenacious, it restless it may cry for about an hour and then fall asleep. Listening to the crying can be uncomfortable and tempting, but consistency is the key to eliminating this unwanted behavior.
Why does my puppy cry every time I leave the room?
Puppies are pack animals that seek comfort and security with their family members. If your puppy cries every time you leave the room, it is because it does not want to be separated. Sometimes, this behavior can evolve and culminate into a severe behavioral issue – separation anxiety.
Where should puppies sleep at night?
There is no universal answer. It depends on how you want to train your puppy and what your expectations are. If you are okay with the idea of sharing the bed, then you can sleep together. However, if sharing the bed is not your long-term goal, you should never let your puppy sleep on the bed. There are special dog beds and crates that you can place in the bedroom or a separate room based on your preferences.
What time should my puppy go to bed?
The exact hour of going to bed does not matter. Instead, it is vital to set a schedule and be consistent with the program. Following a well-set pattern is beneficial because dogs are creatures of habits and like schedules. Plus, this will help with establishing routines and training.
