How To Get A Puppy To Sleep Through The Night | Chewtorials

Puppies: Do they ever run out of energy? Just when it seems like they’ve settled down for the night, they’re back up and ready for loads of attention—even at 3 a.m. So, how do you get a puppy to sleep through the night? We’re walking you through the ins and outs of sleep training your new pup so both you and your new puppy have fewer of those middle-of-the-night wake-up calls.

Is My Puppy Old Enough to Sleep Through the Night?

Most puppies consistently sleep through the night by three or four months of age. But until they reach this age, you may experience times when your puppy needs to use the bathroom in the middle of the night. This is due to their small bladder, which has a shorter “hold time” the younger they are.

A good rule is to go by their age in months: The number of months old they are is approximately how many hours they can be expected to hold their bladder. So, for example, if your puppy is two months old, they’ll likely need to go outside to do their business every two hours—and yes, that means you’ll have to wake up in the middle of the night and take them out. Get more tips on potty training a puppy: be.chewy.com/how-to-potty-train-your-dog-in-7-days…

How To Help Your Puppy Sleep Through The Night

1. Help them get plenty of exercise during the day.

As they say, “A tired puppy is a good puppy!” Give your puppy some physical and mental stimulation by giving them ample opportunities for playtime and snuggles. Also make sure they have access to age-appropriate activities and toys.

2. Keep bedtime routines calm.

Try to avoid intense games of tug or other overly stimulating activities that get your puppy amped up within the last half hour or so before bedtime. Also, note that many dogs benefit from consistent sleep schedules and routines and will naturally fall into the rhythm of falling asleep with you over time if you keep things consistent.

3. Make sure they have peed and pooped.

As part of your shared bedtime routine, schedule their last potty break as late as possible in the evening. An “empty” puppy will sleep much longer than one who needs to go.

4. Make their crate comfortable.

Many dogs enjoy soft blankets to curl up with at night in their dog crate. Consider the temperature and time of year when choosing the bedding that will be most comfortable for your pup. No one, not even your cute pup, wants flannel bedding when it’s 90 degrees out! Keeping items they love in the kennel can also help them feel more at peace as they wind down for the night.

5. Give them something to chew on.

Chewing is a calming activity that all dogs enjoy, and even more so when your puppy is teething! Some people give their dogs a biscuit or an edible chew at bedtime. Others offer a bone or toy. Having a dog toy or bone in the crate will also help to keep your puppy quietly entertained if they wake up before you do. Just make sure that your puppy cannot break any bone or toy into small pieces that could be ingested or cause choking.

6. Keep your puppy’s crate close by.

In those early stages of puppy training, you may find it’s helpful to place their dog crate close to your bed. That way, they aren’t alone and you’ll be more apt to hear them if they do need to go potty in the middle of the night. If they do so, set them up for success by taking them outside right away. And when they go, reward them.

Over time, you may find that a kennel isn’t necessary overnight and that your dog can be allowed more freedom. In this case, upgrade your pup to a cozy dog bed and congratulate yourself on making it through this phase of pet parenthood.

With time and gentle, positive reinforcement, your sweet pup will learn how to sleep through the night. Stay the course, and enjoy your journey together.



Looking for calming solutions for your puppy? Try these tips: be.chewy.com/the-best-dog-calming-aids-to-ease-str…



#chewy #chewtorials #howto #howtogetapuppytosleepthroughthenight #puppytraining