Should I Let My Puppy Cry The First Night
Hopefully, your puppy loves the crate and sleeps through the first night without a peep. Most likely he will wake up crying 2-4 times at night.
What happens when your puppy starts crying? Should you let your puppy cry the first night?
That question is more complicated than it seems. The answer is YES and NO. I’m going to give you a couple of most likely scenarios.
First, as mentioned earlier we crate train our puppies. If at the end of the night our puppies start crying in the crate they will most likely settle down after about 5-10 minutes of whining. Therefore, yes we let our puppies cry.
Second, if our puppy wakes up in the middle of the night and starts crying we take him immediately to his potty spot. After he goes potty we take him straight back to his crate to go back to sleep. This generally happens 2-4 times a night.
Those are the two most likely crying scenarios with your puppy. However, there are an infinite number of other possibilities for puppies crying in the crate on the first night. If you’re having issues please leave us a comment.
Preparing for puppy’s first night
Most puppies go to their new homes when they’re eight to ten weeks old, and their world changes in an instant. Until now, they’ve been snuggled up with their mom and littermates. Suddenly they’re in an unfamiliar place surrounded by unfamiliar smells, noises, people, and perhaps other animals.
As your puppy gets used to their new environment, you’ll encounter lots of whining, howling, crying, and barking. But fear not – this is normal behavior for a young puppy and as they settle in, this behavior will stop.
To help your puppy adjust and gain confidence, here are some tips to help them feel comfortable and safe those first few nights.
When you go to pick up your pup, bring a blanket or towel to pick up the scent of their mom and littermates. Giving your pup a cozy blanket will not only make them feel comfortable and safe, but also help soothe those puppy cries with a familiar scent. Some breeders will even provide a piece of Mom’s bedding, if you ask.
You’ll want to create an area that’s safe for your puppy to play and sleep without getting into trouble. Enclose the puppy zone with a small playpen, or gate the area off. It should be large enough to hold all of their belongings and accommodate some independent playtime.
A puppy’s digestive system is still developing, which means they can get an upset tummy from many things. To avoid surprise vomiting or diarrhea, it’s best to keep feeding them the same puppy food they’ve been eating. Most breeders will send them home with some food, but if not, be sure to consult your vet on the best puppy food to start them on.
Unlike adult dogs, puppies explore their world through their mouths. Remove any hazards by picking up small objects they can chew on or swallow, moving electrical cords, poisonous plants, and anything else that might cause injury.
How will you travel with your new puppy? There’s tons of great travel gear for dogs out there, but a crate is always your best option. It keeps your puppy from becoming a projectile in the event of an accident or quick stops and provides a safe space to observe the new world around them. Put a blanket or pad in the crate so your puppy can snuggle up to take a nap if needed.
Bringing along a friend or family member to keep your puppy company can provide them reassurance during the drive home. For long drives, provide bathroom breaks or bring some doggy diapers. These little ones will need to go often, especially when anxious!
There are loads of puppy supplies to check off your new puppy checklist. Some basics are food and water bowls, a leash, and a collar or harness, toys (chew toys, snuggle toys, balls, tug toys, etc.), a dog bed or a puppy crate (room enough to stand up, turn around, and lay down in), and training treats.
New puppies get into lots of trouble in their early days, which can lead to accidents and injury – and vet bills are expensive! Having pet insurance can save you an arm and a leg, but too many new puppy owners realize this too late. To ensure your pup gets the best care no matter what, it’s smart to get pet insurance as soon as possible.
The day to pick up your puppy finally arrives! Here’s what you can expect, and how to make your new puppy’s first day the best it can be.
Reward Them In Their Sleeping Space
Not only can it be difficult for a dog to get comfortable in their new home, but adjusting to their new sleeping space can take time as well.
They were likely used to sleeping in a different setting before getting adopted, so they may have their guard up when approaching their new sleeping area.
Because of this, you will want to make it as positive of an experience as possible.
This means offering them treats each time they crawl into their sleeping space, giving them plenty of praise when they settle down, and making sure the area is quiet and stress free.
The safer they feel in their sleeping zone, the more likely they are to calm down each night.
While every rescue dog is different, most will find comfort in knowing that their newly adopted family is close by as they fall asleep.
They have not yet learned that their new home is free of any danger, so it can be comforting to know that you are watching their back.
If possible, we suggest setting up a sleeping space for them in your room.
This way you can not only comfort them if they need it, but this will kickstart your bonding process.
How to PREP for a RESCUE DOG | What to Expect (FIRST NIGHT)
Though this is a beautiful time that should always be celebrated, it will take some adjusting for everyone involved.
The first night in a new home can be extremely overwhelming for any dog, but especially a rescued one.
Settling a rescue dog at night, especially the first night is often the most challenging, so it’s important to be prepared on how to offer them comfort in their new surroundings.
Let’s get into the most effective ways to settle your rescue dog during your first night together.
Your first night together can be stressful for both you and your new dog, so it’s important to understand your rescue dog’s perspective the moment you adopt them.
Seeing the world from their eyes will not only help you prepare for the first night, but it will also help you bond with your rescue dog going forward.
Many rescued dogs have an unstable past that makes it challenging for them to find comfort in new settings.
Many are used to an ever changing environment and people coming and going from their lives, which can cause them to be uncomfortable in their own skin.
Due to this, your pup may be on guard for the first few days in your home.
You may even think your rescue dog is scared of everything, but in fact they are just trying to get settled in.
Experts state that it typically takes 3 days for a dog to stop being afraid of their new home, 3 weeks to let their guard down and finally feel comfortable, and up to 3 months for their true personality to shine through.
Learn more about what the 3-3-3 rule for rescue dogs is and how it can help you understand and help your new dog get settled into their new home.
As long as you are aware of and supportive of this timeline, you can offer your rescue pup the support they need moving forward.