For most new puppy owners there’s a high probability that for the first few months your puppy won’t sleep at night.
And while having a new puppy can undoubtedly be filled with great times, adorable moments, and the beginning of lifetime bonding…
…It’s not all fun and smiles.
Especially when it comes to getting them on a solid sleep schedule.
So what can you do to speed up the process?
Well, that depends.
First of all, let me begin by reassuring you that you are not a bad person for wanting the newest member of your family to be on the same sleep schedule as you!
As a new owner, this experience can be frustrating and possibly something that you have never gone through before or even considered a possibility.
But still, you need to get sleep at night, so when your puppy is not sleeping, then neither are you.
So the first thing you need to do is figure out how to get your puppy into a consistent sleeping pattern as quickly as possible.
There are a few ways you can do this…
Firstly, you could simply play the waiting game and hope that in time your puppy will settle into a routine as they mature.
But this rarely works, and in reality, it can sometimes take up to a year (possibly longer) for your puppy to get into the habit of sleeping through the night. And there’s no guarantee that they’ll stick to it without the proper training and guidance.
The second option is to check out the Puppy Coach Program from Dan Abdelnoor over at The Online Dog Trainer. (see video below)
During the video, Dan reveals why most common puppy training methods ultimately set you up to fail before revealing proven training methods that are guaranteed to solve ALL of your puppy training problems while setting a solid foundation for their future.
Watch the video, apply the training Dan recommends, and you should see a huge improvement in your puppy’s sleeping habits in no time at all.
Here’s the link to take a look: Click Here To Discover How To Finally Get Your Puppy To Sleep Through The Night, Solve ALL Your Puppy Problems, And Set A Solid Foundation For Their Future… Even If You’ve Tried & Failed Before!
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Why Won’t My Puppy Sleep At Night?
Dogs are just like people. They are all unique and have different needs, temperaments, and personalities. With that being said, there are multiple common reasons why a puppy is either not sleeping through the night or takes a long time to settle in.
You should start by looking at some more common issues and either ruling them out or addressing them.
Everything Is New
If your puppy has not lived with you for very long, you need to understand that everything in your house is brand new.
Your puppy is probably coming from a vastly different environment than your home and may have been with their mother or siblings for a long time.
But now they live in a house with one human or a small family and either no other animals or just a couple. Can you see how this is very different for them?
During the time that you are with them and awake, you are probably giving them tons of attention.
But when the lights go out, your puppy struggles to make sense of its new world while being alone in the dark.
Your puppy could be lonely, missing their old environment, or just trying to come to grips with their new life.
Separation Anxiety
Your puppy might have a hard time sleeping at night because they experience separation anxiety of some kind.
If your puppy is new in your home, they could be missing their mother or siblings. If they have lived in your home for a bit and their sleep away from you or other family members, the issue might be that they are lonely, and they are missing you at night.
Pent Up Energy
Puppies are super young and are blessed with the most energy they will have in their lives. They love to run, jump and play. And they often bark to express themselves.
Everything can be fun and exciting for them.
Sometimes they do not want to sleep because there are so many fun things they could be doing instead! Why sleep when you can play. I think that is a pretty relatable thought, don’t you?
All The Sounds
During daylight hours, there are so many sounds in your house and nearby.
But at night, the house gets quiet as everyone winds down and gets ready for bed.
Quiet for you, that is.
Remember that dogs have much better hearing than you do. They can hear sounds that you can not, and sometimes they just focus on the sounds that you might notice. But they are like background noise to you.
Dogs are naturally curious. So they want to know who or what is making the sound they hear.
They are also protective and may not want to sleep if they feel like their master is in danger.
Also, dogs are sensitive. Many dogs suffer from anxiety or depression, so weird sounds when they feel alone can be stressful for them!
Nature is Calling
Finally, one of the most common reasons for a puppy to not sleep through the night is because they need to go to the bathroom. Often. They have not yet learned to hold it or have not been trained to go outside only at certain times. They are uncomfortable, and they will let you know!
How To Get Your Puppy To Sleep Through The Night Consistently
So now you understand some of the possible reasons why your dog won’t sleep at night. Let’s take a look at ways to address these issues.
The sooner you start working on these problems, the sooner you will be able to get a good night’s rest!
Exercise and More Exercise
One of the more long-term problems you can face with a puppy if their boundless energy. They are young, want to have fun or explore.
And sleep is the last thing they want to do at night.
This is certainly not an insurmountable problem. All you need to do is give your dog more exercise during the day, and when it is time to sleep at night, they will be just as ready to tuck in for the night as you are!
The first thing you are going want to do is seeing if you can work in some exercise with your dog after work. So if you work during the day and then come home, change and go to the gym, instead of just getting your workout in for the day, think about spending time with your puppy.
Instead of going to the gym by yourself, why not take your dog for a walk?
Want a more high energy exercise and playtime for your dog?
Take your dog to a dog park.
Running at night, playing fetch, or chasing other animals will tire your dog out considerably and help them be ready for bed when you are.
This is only a good start, but your dog still has too much energy at the end of the day you might want to consider hiring a dog walker.
The more exercise your dog gets, the more relaxed they will be at night. Of course, this exercise will also make your dog much healthier and happier as well!
Related: Exercise Idea For Wearing Out Your Puppy
Quieting The Sounds
We discussed earlier that some dogs have a difficult time sleeping due to excessive sounds that they hear at night.
Many new owners convince themselves that their house must be haunted because their dog is continuously staring at things they do not see.
So don’t be surprised if you find your puppy tilting their head and listening to sounds that you simply can’t hear.
But don’t call the exorcist yet.
There is a high probability that your house is not haunted, and your adorable puppy is not voices from the other side.
It’s certainly true that your dog can hear higher-pitched sounds that you can’t. But there is usually a more logical explanation.
So instead of calling an exorcist, you might need an exterminator because you may have small critters running around your basement or attic.
Your house is now your puppy’s house, and like adult dogs, they can be very territorial.
They do not want to share what they consider theirs or their masters’ property with other animals. So stop and pay attention to where your puppy is looking when they whine or tilt their head.
Listen harder. Do you hear scratching or little paws? If so, you might want to investigate further or call a professional to do it for you!
Separation Anxiety
Sometimes a dog is restless at night because where the dog is expected to sleep. This could include being crated or sleeping in a room all by themselves. Every family is different. Some people are away all day and only have a few hours with their dogs in the evenings. Some are with them all the time. Some people have a mix of the two.
The amount of time you spend with your dog and the type of relationship you have could be an insight into this problem.
For instance – if you only see your dog for a few hours a night, when it is time for bed, they may not have had enough playtime or bonding time, and they are sad because they want to continue to be with you.
If you are with your dog all the time, they may not understand why you may need to separate at night.
It is a good idea to determine whether this is the problem and think about possible solutions.
So ask yourself…
- Where does your dog sleep?
- Do they sleep in your room?
- If not, is there a reason they can not sleep in your room?
- Do they sleep in a crate or not?
- If they are in a crate, can that crate be in your room?
- If they don’t sleep in a crate, can you make a bed on the floor of your room?
- Do they have their own room or space?
- Do they like it?
- Do they go there on their own, or do you have to make them?
- Can they leave that room, or are they locked in and alone for hours at a time?
- Is there a better sleeping situation you can try?
Puppy Driving You Crazy?: Click Here To Discover How To Finally Get Your Puppy To Sleep Through The Night, Solve ALL Your Puppy Problems, And Set A Solid Foundation For Their Future… Even If You’ve Tried & Failed Before!
Create a Routine
Most people have a routine that they are comfortable with and that they follow.
For instance, if you work a day job Monday – Friday, you probably have a typical time you wake up, get ready, and leave for work.
This any not be fun, but it is a necessary habit that fits into your daily routine.
Although a puppy’s life may be a lot more fun than humans, this does not mean they wouldn’t benefit from creating some sort of routine too.
See, once your puppy has a routine, they will know when to expect food, when to expect attention and love, and when it is time to go to sleep or go on a walk.
This requires consistency. If you do the same things with your puppy at the same time every day, they’ll eventually start to expect those things to happen.
Here is an example routine for you to follow – it is just an example, your routine may look very different.
- 7AM – Daily walk
- 730AM – Breakfast
- 800AM – Go to work
- Noon – Dog walker takes your puppy for a walk
- 3PM – Kids come home from school and play with the puppy before homework
- 6PM – Dinner
- 630PM – Another walk, spend time playing outdoors
- 8PM – Relaxation time
- 10PM – Take your puppy out to go the bathroom
- 1015PM – Bedtime
Once you do the same routine with your dog repeatedly, they will begin to understand when things will happen in their lives. This will assist in making bedtime easier as time goes by.
As you can see, there are several reasons a puppy is not sleeping at night. But most of them are easy to fix or something they will eventually grow out of.
When a new puppy comes to live with you, there will be an adjustment period for everyone.
This does not mean you will never be able to train your puppy, or that your days of getting uninterrupted sleep are over.
Training your puppy to sleep through the night is a process. It takes patience and love. But in the end, your puppy will learn. And eventually, the two of you will find a rhythm to your new life together.
