How to Stop a Puppy from Whining at Night
Bringing home a new puppy is a joyful experience, but the first few nights can be challenging. Puppies often whine or cry at night due to feelings of loneliness, fear, or the need to use the bathroom. Understanding their needs and providing the right support can ease this transition and help everyone sleep better.
Why Do Puppies Whine at Night?
Puppies naturally communicate through vocalization, especially when they feel uneasy. At night, they might whine due to:
- Loneliness – Separation from their mother and littermates.
- Fear or unfamiliar environment – New sounds, scents, and surroundings can be distressing.
- Bathroom needs – Puppies have small bladders and need frequent nighttime trips outside.
- Seeking attention – Especially if they feel anxious or frightened.
Create a Comfortable Sleeping Space
A cozy environment can help your puppy feel secure:
- Use a soft bed, blanket, or vet fleece for warmth.
- Consider a blanket-covered crate to create a "den-like" atmosphere.
- Add familiar scents, like a worn T-shirt or item from the breeder, to ease separation anxiety.
- Use a ticking clock or heartbeat toy to mimic the presence of littermates.
Stick to a Consistent Bedtime Routine
Structure helps signal sleep time:
- Engage in calm play or cuddling before bed.
- Take the puppy for a final bathroom break right before bedtime.
- Feed the last meal a few hours before sleep and avoid water close to bedtime to limit nighttime breaks.
Manage Nighttime Whining Thoughtfully
If your puppy cries at night, it's important to balance responsiveness with routine:
- Wait briefly to see if your puppy settles on their own.
- If not, check calmly — Whisper greetings, take them out briefly if needed, then return them quietly.
- Limit stimulation – Avoid turning on lights, playing, or offering treats during nighttime outings.
- Don’t ignore prolonged distress – Repeated crying often indicates a real need.
Introduce Crate Training Gently
A crate can provide reassurance, if introduced positively:
- Let your puppy associate the crate with good things: feed meals, offer treats, play crate games.
- Never use the crate as punishment.
- Gradually increase time spent in the crate while the puppy remains calm and comfortable.
Ensure Daytime Balance
Your puppy’s daytime activity impacts nighttime rest:
- Provide sufficient physical activity through appropriate walks and play.
- Include mental stimulation like training and interactive toys.
- Prevent overstimulation too close to bedtime to help them wind down.
Use Supportive Tools Thoughtfully
Additional aids can calm some puppies:
- Pheromone diffusers or collars (e.g., Adaptil) simulate mother dog’s comforting signals.
- Heartbeat toys and warm pads can mimic the sensation of snuggling with littermates (ensure safety and avoid hot water bottles that may be chewed).
Tips to Remember
- Allow bathroom breaks during the night based on age — add 1 to their age in months to get hourly limits (e.g., a 2-month-old can hold for 3 hours).
- Respond to genuine needs, but avoid reinforcing whining with too much attention if needs are already met.
- Gently crate or bed-train by increasing distance or changing the room gradually and positively.
- Be patient and consistent — most puppies adjust within a few days to a couple of weeks.
When to Seek Help
If your puppy continues to show signs of distress or does not settle even with these measures, consult a veterinarian or certified behaviorist. Underlying health issues or severe anxiety may require professional intervention.
With understanding, routine, and reassurance, your puppy will learn to love bedtime and rest peacefully — and so will you!
