Taking a puppy home is the most thrilling thing to a dog parent. However, with happiness also comes nights without sleep with whining, crying and bouts of bed-wetting. Have you been Googling over how to get a puppy to sleep through the night? You are not alone. Puppies are similar to children- they must be given time, patience and the necessary routine to adapt. The positive side to all of this? You and your little one can enjoy peaceful nights when it is well trained.
Why Sleep Training is Important for Puppies
Puppies, just like humans, require proper rest to grow healthy and develop their brains, as well as train their behaviour. An overtired puppy is a cranky puppy and without adequate sleep the puppy will become anxious, behave badly or even become ill.
On average:
New born puppies ( up to 8 weeks): Sleep 18-20 hours a day
Puppies aged 3 months: 15-18 hours of sleep a day
Adult dogs:They sleep 12-14 hours daily
Knowing their sleep necessities simplifies the procedure of designing a routine.
When Do Puppies Start Sleeping Through the Night?
A sleeping puppy is one of the most inevitable questions to be asked by new owners, the question is: When will a puppy be able to sleep through the night?
When your Dog is 8 weeks old- Your puppies typically sleep about 23 hours at the time and they wake up to go to the bathroom.
At 12-16 weeks age period- Most puppies are capable of sleeping 6 to 8 hours when they are well-trained.
At 6 months of age – Majority of dogs will begin to sleep through at night.
One should be patient. All puppies vary in breed, size, and character.
The Importance of a Puppy Sleep Schedule
Establishing a regular routine of your puppy sleeping is the root of success. Dogs do well on routine. When you can familiarize your puppy with what to expect, then he will settle easily.
How to make the most of the puppy sleep schedule:
- Fixed bedtime: Stick to the same sleeping time every night.
- Evening potty break: Always take them outside before bed.
- No late-night snacks: Keep the last meal 2–3 hours before bedtime.
- Quiet environment: Reduce noise and distractions.
An effective puppy bed time ritual will send a cue to her body that it is time to sleep.
Crate Training a Puppy at Night
One of the most effective methods of teaching the process of learning how to get a puppy to sleep through the night involves crate training. Dogs are den animals and comfort and security are ensured by a crate that fits properly.
Benefits of crate training at night:
- Prevents accidents in the house
- Gives puppies a safe sleeping spot
- Helps build independence
What is the best way of crate training:
Select the appropriate size crate -as large as necessary to stand and turn around, without being too large.
Make it cuddly, a soft bedding, a blanket or a toy.
Make it positive and don t push them in, introduce it slowly.
Apply a bedtime ritual/ routine, use dim lighting, low tone voice, and lead them there.
Pro Tip: The crate should feel like a happy place so don t ever use it as a punishment.
How to Get a Puppy to Sleep Through the Night: Proven Tips
So now it is time to get into the nitty gritty plan.
1.Tire them out with evening play
- An excellent exercise or play time is good to unleash the energy.
- There is also the use of mental games (such as puzzle toys), which can wear out their brain.
2. Stick to potty breaks
- Always take them outside before bed.
- If they wake at night, stay calm and avoid playtime—just potty and back to bed.
3. Make the environment calm down
- Distractors can be filtered by white noise or some soft music.
- During sleep time, maintain the minimal lights.
4. Comfort items Use
- A ticking clock or heartbeat pillow mimics mom’s heartbeat.
- A familiar blanket with your scent can ease separation anxiety.
5. Speak consistency in the response
- Don’t rush in at every whine—sometimes puppies test if you’ll give attention.
- Comfort them if needed, but avoid making it playtime.
Consistently, your puppy will soon learn how to get a puppy to sleep through the night without crying.
Do Dogs Sleep All Night Like Humans?
Not exactly. All dogs are polyphasic sleepers, and when sleeping they sleep several short periods of time during the day and at night. Especially, puppies wake up regularly because of:
- Small bladders
- Hunger
- Separation anxiety
As they develop, they will just accommodate increased long sleep during nights.
How to Make Your Dog Sleep Instantly
There are some situations when you simply want to see quick results- perhaps you are running late and your puppy is full of energy. These are some fast tips to help your dog sleep more quickly:
- Brief training at night (sit, stay, paw) -> exhaustion of the mind
- soft scratching of the belly or massage of the belly → relaxation
- Make the room dark, quiet and cooled down → natural signals of sleep drift
- Provide a chew toy as comfort and to relax the teething stresses
Puppy Sleep Problems & Solutions
With the most ideal regime, problems may emerge.
Problem: Puppy cries in the crate
Solution: begin with brief periods of crate training at daytime.
Problem: Too early wakefulness of puppy
Solution: Change meal & toilet schedule; more exercise in the evening.
Problem: Sleep regression in puppy
Solution: Be coherent in routines. Do not revert to oldisms.
Provided that the problem of sleeping persists, seek a doctor (vet) in order to eliminate medical causes.
Key Takeaways
- Puppies need 15–20 hours of sleep daily, depending on age.
- A consistent routine is essential for smooth nights.
- Crate training is highly effective.
- Patience, comfort, and consistency will teach how to get a puppy to sleep through the night.
Conclusion
It might seem difficult in the first stages to teach a puppy how to sleep through the night, but keep in mind, this is just temporary. With the proper establishment of the puppy bedtime, crate training, and patience, your little one will adapt soon. The trick is to be consistent, loving and understanding that they continue learning.
By following these tips of sleep training your puppy, not only will you have some rest every night, but your pet will also wake up happy, healthy, and in the mood to play.
So there you have it: how to make a puppy sleep at night.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
1. How many hours can a 12-week old puppy sleep at night?
Typically, a 12-week-old puppy can sleep 6 or 7 hours at night but they might get potty break requirements based on their bladder control. This is a very tender age so their waking up once in this wee hour is all natural. With a good puppy sleep schedule and training in place, the majority of puppies will have mastered how to get a puppy to sleep at night without crying by the 4-5 month range.
2. What do you do to make a puppy sleep overnight in a crate?
One of the most effective options is crate training to assist your puppy in finding rest. In order to have a puppy sleep at night in a crate:
- Place a very comfortable bed into a soft crate and a blanket.
- An isolated location far away is not a good idea because your puppy will not feel safe. Put the crate in a quiet place near your puppy.
- Have a frequent puppy bedtime schedule (play, toilet time, then bedtime).
- It is best to avoid feeding or water at bedtime.
Crate training with patience and consistency will ensure your puppy learns to feel safe inside the crate, and it will be far easier to get them to bed without crying in the night.
