Do you have a new puppy that won’t sleep through the night? You’re not alone. In fact, puppies typically don’t start sleeping through the night until they are about four months old. But don’t worry, there are some things you can do to help get your puppy on a regular sleep schedule.
Follow our simple tips and tricks for how to get a puppy to sleep through the night, and you’ll be able to rest easy knowing that your little one is catching some z’s.
Why a Puppy Sleeping at Night is Important
There are a few reasons why puppies should sleep through the night. One reason is that it will help them to adjust to a regular sleep schedule. It will also help them to develop and grow properly and will keep them healthy.
In general, a puppy needs to sleep as much as possible since it is growing and developing really fast. If the puppy learns from the beginning that sleeping at night is a natural thing, this will improve your life in so many ways.
A rested dog is easier to handle and more socialized. Meanwhile, the dog and owner bond becomes stronger. The dog is also more relaxed and obedient during the daytime. By teaching the puppy its sleep times, you will solve a lot of problems.
Is It Normal for My Puppy to Wake Me Up in the Middle of the Night?
There are a few reasons why your puppy can’t sleep at night, some of which might be more serious than others. The most common reason is that the puppy is not tired at night. So make sure to keep your dog active during the day, but don’t overdo it.
The second reason might be that the dog wakes up because it is hungry or thirsty. This can be fixed by feeding or giving water to your puppy at specific times during the day.
It’s also common for puppies to wake up in the middle of the night because they need to go to the bathroom. Puppies have small bladders and will wake up frequently at night until their bladder becomes more developed. If this is the case, you can try taking your dog outside in the middle of the night so they can relieve themselves.
If your puppy is still restless at night, you might want to visit the veterinarian. This will help rule out any serious problems that may be bothering your pup.
How Long Will it Take for my Puppy to Sleep Through the Night?
A lot of puppies can sleep through the whole night after two weeks of training. But there are some puppies that it will take a little bit longer.
As a general rule, you can expect your pup to sleep through the night after 2-8 weeks of training. Nobody knows exactly how long an individual puppy will take because every dog is different. This also depends on the owner’s commitment and consistency when it comes to training.
Things You Can Do to Help Your Puppy Sleep
There are different things you can do to make your puppy sleep at night. Especially if you know what wakes the dog up during the night, it is easier to train the puppy to sleep through the night:
Establish a bedtime routine
A routine will help your dog to get into a rhythm, making it easier to fall asleep. At a specific time each day, make sure to take your puppy outside for a walk or some playtime. It’s also a good idea to play with your dog before bed and reward it with a treat or two.
Make sure the room is dark enough
During the nighttime, it should be as dark as possible. Make sure that any light in the room is turned off, and use blackout curtains to cover the window.
Create a comfortable sleeping environment
The puppy needs to be comfortable in order to sleep. Make sure that the bed is warm enough, but not too hot. The temperature should be around 75-78 degrees Fahrenheit. Also, make sure that there are no noise disturbances during the night.
Be patient
Some puppies will take longer than others to get used to sleeping through the night.
Regular feeding times will help your dog get into a routine and know when to expect food. At first, the puppy may whine or bark when you put it to sleep. It takes time for them to understand that it is bedtime and they need to sleep.
Don’t let your dog associate the crate with negative experiences like punishment or shouting. Keep training sessions short and positive. Your dog will eventually come around so long as you are patient.
What Should You Do If Your Dog Wakes During the Night?
If your dog is restless and wakes you up at night, it’s important to determine the reason why. Some common possibilities include:
- The dog is hungry and needs to be fed
- The dog needs to go to the bathroom
- The dog is thirsty and needs a drink of water
- The dog is uncomfortable and needs a different place to sleep
- The dog is sick or has a medical condition that requires attention
Once you’ve determined the cause of the nighttime restlessness, you can take appropriate action.
If your dog is up and about during the night, there are a few things you can do to help them calm down and get back to sleep. Here are a few tips:
- If you’re up, too, spend some time playing with your dog or taking them for a walk. A little bit of exercise will help them wear themselves out and get back to sleep.
- If your dog is restless or seems agitated, try playing some calming music for them or use a white noise machine to soothe them.
- Make sure they have plenty of water and access to their bed or favorite spot in the house so they can relax comfortably.
What is the Best Place for Your Puppy to Sleep?
A puppy can feel most secure when sleeping in a crate. They will also be comfortable and feel safe if they know that a crate is a sleeping place. You should also make sure that the dog’s sleeping area has enough blankets so that it feels more comfortable.
The crate should be big enough for your puppy to stand up and turn around in. The puppy should also be able to lay down comfortably without having his or her head pushed into the bars of the cage. However, during the first days, you will need to assist the puppy with getting into the crate.
Make sure that the crate is also safe, with nothing on the inside of it which could hurt your puppy if he or she would decide to chew on it. Also make sure to put a soft blanket in there for the dog, so that the floor won’t be too hard on its little bones.
After you have the crate, it’s time to think about when and where in your house you want the puppy to sleep. It is important that this location is easily accessible for both the dog and its owner. Also make sure not to place it in a spot that would be harmful to your dogs, such as an area with too much sunlight or a cold floor.
How Much Sleep Do Puppies Need?
Most puppies require 6-10 hours of sleep at night, as well as 20 hours during the day. Young puppies (up to 3 months old) need the most sleep, and as they get older they need less and less.
During sleep, puppies grow and develop physically and mentally. It’s critical for their health that they get enough good-quality sleep every day. Lack of sleep can lead to problems such as obesity, impaired socialization, and an increased risk of developing behavioral problems.
Ideally, your puppy should have a regular sleep schedule so he can develop good sleeping habits. Try putting your puppy in his crate for scheduled naps and bedtimes – this will help him learn to relax and get some restorative Zs.
Why is a Puppy Breathing Fast While Sleeping?
It’s normal for a puppy to breathe rapidly while sleeping – in fact, they’re probably experiencing rapid eye movement (REM), which is the stage of sleep when dreaming occurs.
During REM sleep, the heart rate and breathing speed up as the body’s muscles twitch and dreams occur. It’s also common for puppies to grunt or make other noises during REM sleep.
So don’t worry if your puppy is snoring away – it just means they’re getting a good night’s rest!
Bottom Line
For a puppy who is up and about during the night, there are a few things you can do to help them calm down and get back to sleep.
Puppies need six to ten hours of good quality sleep every day in order to grow and develop properly. Try putting your dog in its crate during scheduled naps and bedtimes so it can learn to relax and get the restorative sleep it needs.
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