Over the past few years, I’ve lost count of the number of emails I get about sleep training for puppies. But today, I want to touch base on one of the more common questions I had recently, which is… “how exactly do I get my puppy to sleep?”
It’s sad to say, but we don’t live in a perfect world. And while we’d all like nothing more than our pup to hit the hay when nighttime rolls around, the fact is that it’s not always going to be as smooth sailing from the get go.
Now, nobody wants to see their loveable bundle of joy turning into an overbearing nightmare.
But unfortunately, it happens so often that it can feel like a constant battle to make sure your gentle, sweet pooch doesn’t run riot and keep you awake all night.
Not only that, but it can put a huge strain on the relationship you have with your pup which can often result in expensive behavior training, or in worst cases, even rehoming your pup.
I speak from personal experience when I say that nobody deserves to go through this frustration. So it’s essential to try and steer your pup away from this behavior before the unthinkable happens.
The good news is that there is a very specific way you can teach your puppy to settle down and go to sleep.
Better still, it has nothing to do with outdated and often forceful training methods. And instead, involves a few tried and tested calming techniques that will make your puppy highly responsive and relaxed.
Now, I can’t take all the credit for these exercises because the truth is, I actually picked them up from Doggy Dan’s free copy of “My Everyday Dog Training Tools” over at The Online Dog Trainer.
But over the years, these specific exercises have proven themselves time and time again when it comes to calming the unruly nature in puppies.
Better still, they take just minutes a day to apply.
Anyway, if you want to see what these techniques are, and how they can calm your bundle of joy and get them to sleep, go ahead and click the link below to grab your free copy.
Here’s the link to take a look: Click Here To Grab Your Free Copy Of My Everyday Dog Training Tools & Discover How To Finally Get Your Puppy To Sleep Using Simple, Highly Effective Calming Exercises That Take Just Minutes A Day To Implement!
My Everyday Dog Training Tools
Understanding Why Your Puppy Won’t Sleep
If your pup’s spending more time whining and crying than sleeping, you’re probably feeling too tired at this point to wonder why. You just want a solution, fast.
But think about it from their perspective for a second.
She or he has just gone through a massive upheaval. They’ve been taken from their mother and siblings, introduced to a load of new faces, been plopped down in a completely different environment, surrounded by new smells and new sights.
And on top of that, they’ve got someone with puffy eyes and a slightly demented expression begging them to sleep.
Well, obviously, that’s not going to happen.
Not when they’ve gone into sensory overload. Not when their little brain is ticking over at the rate of knots.
Usually, the first night is the worst. At that stage, even they probably don’t know what they want or why they’re crying.
But if it’s a few nights down the line and there’s still no sign of Rip Van Winkle, it’s worth asking a few questions about why.
Questions like…
Do they need a bathroom break?
Young puppies have bladders the size of peanuts. Basically, they need to pee a lot.
Even if you take them out just before bedtime, they might need to evacuate again a few hours later. If you wake up to a series of yowls, take them out into the yard.
As pups get easily distracted, wait 5 minutes before leading them back to the house.
Are they hungry?
Puppies are prone to getting ‘hangry’. They get hungry, they get irritable, and they feel no obligation to keep it to themselves.
As their needs vary almost by the day (growth sports – gotta love them, right?), what’s enough to keep them sated one day might not be enough the next.
Consider just how much food they’re getting and how close to bedtime their last meal of the day is.
Are they too young to be alone?
In an ideal world, puppies shouldn’t be separated from their mothers before they reach 8 weeks old. The earlier the separation happens, the harder your pup will find it to adjust to their new home or settle down into a good night’s sleep.
Are they lonely?
For the first few weeks of their life, pups will have their mother and littermates for company.
But then, wham! Some stranger comes along, rips them away from their family, and plonks them down in a completely new house.
Sure, the stranger seems nice enough, but they’ve got a shiny new face and a different voice, and why do they smell like that? And where did they say the toilet was again?
The first few days of being in a new home are confusing for a pup. They don’t know the rules, they don’t know where things are, and for the first time in their life, they haven’t got their family to ask.
Little wonder they’re too anxious and confused and lonely to sleep… and little wonder they spend half the night baying for their pack to come and rescue them.
Are they overtired?
Puppies are a bit like kids. When they get overtired, they get whingy, out-of-sorts, and really, really moody. And just like kids, they see no reason to keep their feelings to themselves.
Pups need sleep and lots of it.
If they’re too busy having fun in the day to nap, they’re going to be fractious, overtired, and way too wired to actually sleep by the time bedtime rolls around.
If play sessions are followed by anything other than a nice long nap. That’s your most likely explanation for those sleepless nights.
Remember the free copy of My Everyday Dog Training Tools I mentioned earlier?
This is where the techniques Dan discusses inside the book really come in handy.
Not only will you learn how quickly calm your pup, but you’ll also discover simple, highly effective calming exercises to help them settle down.
So if you haven’t had a chance to take a look, now would be the time…
Here’s The link to take a look: Click Here To Grab Your Free Copy Of My Everyday Dog Training Tools & Discover How To Quickly Calm Your Puppy Using Simple, Highly Effective Calming Techniques That Take Minutes A Day To Apply… Even If You’ve Tried & Failed Before!
My Everyday Dog Training Tools
Can Crate Training Help Your Puppy Sleep?
There are plenty of ways you can help your puppy sleep through the night, crate training being one of them.
Some new pup owners hate the thought of crate training, seeing it as a form of punishment more than anything else. But in fact, most pups adapt very quickly to a crate.
Once they do, it can quickly become a refuge, a place of safety, and, most importantly of all, a place to sleep.
Crate training taps into your pup’s natural instinct to seek out a safe, enclosed place to sleep.
Once they learn to think of the crate as their own private sanctuary, it won’t be long before they start heading there whenever they feel naptime beckoning.
Each high activity play session during the day needs to be followed by a 2-3-hour nap. Having a quiet bed area where they can nap without interruptions or distractions is vital for young pups.
They might complain at first, but providing you’re consistent, they’ll soon start falling fast asleep in no time.
Schedule Potty Breaks
Puppies don’t gain control of their bladder muscles until they’re at least 4-6 months old. If you use the crate at night as well as during the day, remember to give your pup a potty break during the night.
Make it Comfy
Puppies like to be comfy. Line the crate with a comfortable dog bed that’s easy to wash and made from waterproof material. If you can find one that’s chew-proof as well, even better!
Accidents Happen
Crates can be a great complement to housetraining. Pups don’t like soiling where they sleep, so they are more likely to try and exercise control.
But remember – puppies don’t have full control of their muscles yet, and accidents are bound to happen. Limit the chances by making sure your pup has used the bathroom before going into the crate.
If they start whining during the night, take them out straight away so they can do their business.
Take Small Steps
Learning the difference between a puppy that’s frustrated at being confined for the first time and one that’s genuinely upset is crucial.
A frustrated pup will be noisy in spurts, bark directly at you, dig around, play for a while, then start it up again.
They’re working towards a goal: they want you to let them out.
If you oblige, they’ll instantly forget their frustration and go back to being their merry little selves.
Caving into your dog’s frustrations puts them in the driving seat. So you need to do your best to resist.
Once they learn they can’t control your actions with unwanted behaviors, they’ll settle down.
An upset pup is different. They might pant, tremble, and even drool. If your pup reacts in this way, dial things back.
Reintroduce the crate to them in a very gradual, friendly way. Keep any confined periods or separations as brief as possible at first. As your dog starts to feel more comfortable, gradually lengthen the sessions.
Be Patient
Crates are an invaluable tool that can make light work of things like housetraining and teaching your pup to sleep through the night.
But while dogs will naturally feel safer and more inclined to nap in a dim, enclosed space. It can take some puppies a while to adjust to being confined, especially if they’re used to having the freedom of the whole house.
Your puppy’s not going to get the process down in a day. Be patient.
How to Get Your Puppy to Sleep at Night
Crate training can be a great tool to help your pup sleep through the night, but there are plenty of other solutions to try as well.
A Bedtime Snack
A pup’s calorie needs are way bigger than their bellies. To keep up with their energy requirements, they need lots of small meals spaced throughout the day.
If their last meal is timed too prematurely, they might wake up with a rumbly tummy and a ravenous appetite.
Try giving them a small meal a couple of hours before they settle down for the night to waylay any mid-night hunger attacks.
Wear Them Out
If your pup goes to bed with energy to spare, the chances of them settling down to sleep are next to none. Make sure your pup receives enough mental and physical stimulation throughout the day to leave them good and pooped by the time bedtime comes around.
Take a Toilet Break
Pups shouldn’t be expected to hold their bladders until they’re at least 4-6 months old. Even then, accidents are still going to happen. It’s not their fault, and they really aren’t doing it to spite you – it’s just biology.
Although you can’t always avoid the inevitable, taking them out right before bedtime will at least buy you a few hours of uninterrupted sleep time.
Invest in a Chew Toy
Chewing is an incredibly relaxing activity that can help put your pup in the right frame of mind for bed. Edible chews, biscuits, bones, or toys can all work… although you might want to avoid a toy with squeakers!
Stick to a Routine
Dogs like routine. They like to know what to expect and when to expect it. Keeping to the same routine each night will help them understand it’s bedtime.
Start winding down at the same time each night. Give them their final snack, enjoy a few final minutes of playtime (although try to avoid anything overly strenuous that’s going to ramp them up).
Then let them out to go to the toilet.
If they’re still in an excited mood, try dialing it down a notch by running through the training techniques found inside “My Everyday Dog Training Tools”.
Dim the lights, prepare their bed, and put on relaxing music.
Avoid doing anything that could disturb them or make them think something exciting is about to happen. If there are lots of things going on, they’re not going to want to risk missing out on the fun by going to sleep.
Remember – the more consistent you are, the sooner they’ll understand when it’s bedtime.
Win Your Puppy’s Mind
Here’s one of the most important lessons that can be summed up in a few simple words…
…” It’s about winning your puppy’s mind first”
See, puppies come in all shapes and sizes.
Some are naturally mild-mannered and calm…
…Some can be a little overbearing at times.
…And some are just downright Crazy with a capital “C”
But the one thing they all have in common is they follow the pack leader.
Now, if you’re one of the lucky few, your puppy may already see you as the pack leader.
Other times, it may a little time and effort to steer them in the right direction.
And if you’re one of the very unlucky ones (as many are), getting your puppy to calm down is about as easy as getting a toddler to take a nap after 6 cans of Redbull.
But no matter what your situation, getting your puppy on the path to success will always come down to the same thing…
…Winning their mind.
Flashback to when I was a young inexperienced puppy parent.
It was one of the most stressful times of my life.
And here’s the thing…
It wasn’t that I was applying the wrong training techniques to my pup’s routine.
Far from it…
It was because I was missing the critical step of winning his mind first.
Once I got my head around this, everything instantly fell into place.
This is also why it’s a HUGE MISTAKE to train your puppy without first getting to grips with this one core principle.
Now, instead of just giving you a few tips and sending you on your way. I think it would benefit you much more if I were to give you something actionable that you can start using immediately to see results.
So with this in mind, go ahead and grab your free copy of “My Everyday Dog Training Tools”
I’m confident that if you not only read the book but actually follow the advice Dan provides, you’ll start to notice the immediate effect it has on your puppy’s behavior for the better.
My Everyday Dog Training Tools
Final Thoughts
Welcoming a new pup into the house is like opening your doors to a baby. There’s going to the lots of tantrums, lots of poop, and one heck of a lot of sleepless nights.
Try not to worry about it too much.
It’s not unusual for a pup to struggle with bedtime, and by and large, the phase will pass naturally enough in time. But there’s plenty you can do to move things along in the meantime. As with all things puppy-related, the key is consistency, patience, and proactivity.
Keep going – it might seem hard work now, but the results are worth it.
Want To Learn 5 Simple Exercises You Can Use RIGHT NOW To Get Your Puppy To Settle Down And Sleep?
Let me ask you this…
- Does your puppy refuse to go to bed?
- Do they obsessively bark, whine, or cry whenever it’s naptime?
- Are they scared, fearful, or displaying severe signs of anxiety when left alone?
- Want to learn how to make it stop so you can finally get some rest?
My Everyday Dog Training Tools
Click Here To Grab Your Free Copy Of “My Everyday Dog Training Tools!