Is the joy of your new family member wearing thin because your puppy won’t stop crying and whining in his crate? His crate is supposed to be his happy place, and nothing is more frustrating than when it’s a torture chamber instead. The good news is, there’s a lot you can do to nip the crate whining in the bud so it doesn’t become a prolonged problem. These tips can help stop your puppy from crying in his crate so you’ll both sleep at night. Table Of Contents
Puppy Cries In Crate When I Leave The Room
Nearly all puppies will cry, bark, whine and howl the first night home, unfortunately. They will bark that first night or two in their crate, but after that it gets better.
If at all possible, I recommend bringing your puppy home on a Friday or Saturday or on a day when you don’t have to work the next few mornings.
The crying and howling is heartbreaking and stressful to listen to but unfortunately it’s totally normal. It’s rare for a puppy not to cry that first night home!
How Long Will A Puppy Cry At Night?
My 8-week-old weimaraner puppy Remy howled and cried almost non-stop for the entire first night home. I assume the poor guy missed his mom and siblings or just the familiarity and comfort of his original home.
He thought his little world was turned upside down, which I guess it was!
As hard as it was, I ignored my puppy Remy the entire first night. I did not comfort him, though I wanted to, nor did I allow him in my bed. I did not scold him, and I did not let him out for a potty break, although some puppies will need a 2 a.m. potty break (more on this later).
My puppy was in his kennel from about 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.
Puppies can Hold it a Little Longer at Night While They aAre Sleeping
One rule of thumb I hear repeated online is a puppy can hold it a little longer than one hour per month of age. However, most puppies can hold it longer than that at night.
It’s better to stay up a bit later than you’d like and to get up a bit earlier than you would prefer just so you can limit the habit of going to your puppy in the middle of the night.
You want to teach him to sleep through the night as quickly as possible.
If you think your puppy needs a potty break in the middle of the night, do your best to go to the puppy when he’s quiet.
I recommend setting your alarm for 2:30 or 3. That way you are deciding this, not him. You probably won’t need to do this for more than the first two weeks or so, but every puppy is different.
If your puppy seems to be howling literally nonstop, then try to at least wait for him to be quiet for 5 seconds. Take him directly outside (no playing, no attention) and then back in the crate.
He’ll probably cry again, so just be a “mean” dog mom or dad and ignore him.
You don’t want to start the habit of going to him every time he cries/howls. Puppies are little devils and they learn very quickly that barking will get them what they want (attention).
So do your best to ignore all crying and only go to your puppy when he’s quiet. Easier said than done, but it’s very important or you’ll create a monster!
So, how long do puppies cry at night? …
FAQ
What do you do when your new puppy cries at night?
- Make your puppy’s bed a place it wants to be. …
- DON’T let them cry it out for more than a few minutes. …
- If the crying starts up again, go back — but not too quickly. …
- Let their bed be a safe space at any time of day.
Should you let a puppy cry it out?
Do I let my puppy cry at night?
Should I ignore my puppy crying at night in crate?