How To Stop A Puppy Crying At Night

7 Tips To Stop Your Puppy Crying At Night

1. Never underestimate the power of the potty!
2. Crate train your puppy.
3. Provide comfort, but not attention.
4. Wear your pupper out – every day.
5. Keep a routine.
6. Limit access to distractions.
7. Check for other issues.

Do I ignore my puppy crying at night?

Should I ignore them crying? Won’t going to them make them cry for attention all the time? – It’s a common mistake that some owners make to just leave their puppy in their bed or crate to ‘cry it out’. Even if they seem to settle down, this could actually be having the opposite effect to what you want and making them more anxious to be alone, causing them more stress.

1. Just because they’re quiet, doesn’t mean they’re OK! In their first week or so, your puppy might feel worried being without their dog family.
2. Ignoring them at night won’t help them build confidence and may make them worse which isn’t what anyone wants.
3. They need to be taught how to be independent slowly.

We would never recommend ignoring your puppy when they cry at night, especially in their first few nights. Firstly, they may need the toilet, so it’s important to take them out to check. If you limit your contact with them, e.g. no cuddles, talking (unless it’s to praise them for toileting in the right place) or playing, they’re less likely to associate their crying and barking with your attention.

Can I just let my puppy cry at night?

Research tells us that the ‘cry it out’ method doesn’t work in babies, and it doesn’t work in dogs either. In brief, it can just cause a huge amount of emotional damage. Leaving your puppy crying at night presents a few problems we could do without.

Why do puppies cry more at night?

How do you stop a puppy crying at night? – During a puppy’s first year they really don’t like to be left alone for long. Dogs feel vulnerable at night if they are left on their own, which causes them to cry loudly. Most puppies cry when they need to use the bathroom at night.

• They also cry if you’ve recently mastered toilet training and your pet is getting up in the middle of the night to toilet or while still demanding food.
• Puppies get comforted by the release of substances, known as pheromones, after their mother dog has given birth.
• ADAPTIL Junior releases pheromones that mimic those released from mother dogs to calm and reassure a new puppy just like when they were with her.

For the first two weeks, crate your puppy in your own room overnight. This is because dogs are very clean animals and don’t like to toilet where they’ve been sleeping. But that does mean that they will cry or whine when they want to go out. In the early weeks, your pup will need to go for the toilet often.

How long should a puppy be allowed to cry at night?

How long does it last? – If your puppy has spent the first week or so sleeping next to you, and has now been moved into their permanent night time quarters, you should find that any puppy crying at bedtime will be brief. We’re talking ten or fifteen minutes, for maybe a couple of nights.

1. Some puppy parents like to use an old fashioned ticking alarm clock for puppies, the noise may be soothing to them.
2. On the other hand, if left alone on the first night, the chances are your puppy will cry very loudly for some time.
3. If you then go and get them up again, they will cry louder and for longer next time.

This can last for several nights, even for a week or more. So should you leave your puppy to cry it out?

Do puppies get tired of crying at night?

how do i stop my puppy crying? – Once you understand why they are crying, you can decide how to approach it. Make sure they’re comfortable and warm and have their things around them. If they continue to cry for a long time, then there may well be something you need to help them with.

1. If you do go and check, limit your time with them.
2. Check if they need the toilet or if they are hurt, then settle your puppy again and leave.
3. If they start up again, as hard as it may seem, leave them alone.
4. You could try things like allowing your puppy to sleep closer to you at first so they can hear you and feel less alone.

You can then gradually move their bed towards its permanent spot as they get used to this. Crate training can also help. This is where a puppy is gradually introduced to a puppy crate, which they will soon associate with being comfortable and safe. Make a crate inviting for them, with a comfy blanket and a familiar toy in there to encourage your pup to give it a try.

• Pop the crate somewhere quiet and out of the way so your puppy can feel secure in their special place.
• Crate training can reassure them very well, and it’s something we employ at Paws in Work.
• Gradually build up the length of time they are alone.
• This way your little friend will adjust easier to being alone.

Being alone or having to sleep alone at night can be trigger points for crying, but if you give them the right atmosphere, they can learn that it’s not so scary. This may result in some periods of crying, but they will tire of it after a while. Crate training can give them the reassurance of personal space and help them to adjust gently.

When travelling in puppy crates to Paws in Work events, we ensure that all of the pups are settled, comfortable and having a positive experience on their first journeys.the majority just snooze the trip away! Any pups that may whimper during travel are kept at ease by our team, who are always on hand to offer them a settling stroke.

Paws in Work vehicles are modified so that the team are sat next to the crates to offer reassurance whenever it’s needed during travel. Paws in Work staff make sure we always follow the cues of the pups we bring to play at our events, and if one of our pups needs something, that’s absolutely our priority.

1. Their socialisation and well-being are the heart of our work, and while the strings of that heart may be tugged at by crying, you can soon learn to completely understand your canine pal’s needs.
2. How to stop your puppy biting.
3. Do dogs get diabetes? how to overcome your puppies fears.
4. Can dogs be vegan? PUP WELFARE Paws in Work offer a specialist puppy therapy service for companies looking to improve their staff well-being, combat stress and encourage team bonding.

We bring a litter of loveable puppies along to your office, giving team members a chance to get away from their desks and relax for a brief moment, before returning to their day, better equipped to focus on their work and with smiles on their faces. With scientific studies showing a positive effect on decreasing blood pressure and reduced cortisol levels, interacting with a pet is something that has a proven benefit to the well-being of any individual.

Can I leave my 2 month old puppy alone at night?

Figuring Out How Long You Can Leave a Dog Alone – Age is one of the most important factors to consider when thinking about how long you can leave a dog home alone while at work or having fun. According to the American Kennel Club, puppies younger than 10 weeks cannot be left alone for more than an hour.

From 3-6 months, they should not be left longer than their age in months (for example, 3-month-old puppies cannot be alone for longer than 3 hours). If possible, dogs older than 6 months should not be left alone for longer than 4 hours at a time. If this is difficult, the absolute maximum time for them to be alone is 8 hours, but this is only recommended if your dog has a way to get outside for a bathroom break.

This time frame might change depending on your dog’s age, breed, and personality.

How do I get my puppy to stop crying when left alone?

Rule Out Any Other Problems – First thing’s first—make sure your puppy’s not acting out due to another problem. They could be bored, or they may not be getting enough social interaction, physical activity or mental stimulation, which may make them act out.

• These problems are often lumped in with puppy separation anxiety but can be addressed with more exercise.
• Try puppy brain games like interactive toys and remember that training is another form of mental stimulation and combats boredom.
• Alternatively, you can try leaving the radio on or putting them in one room where they’re comfortable and happy, preferably one with no outside stimuli that may cause them to bark.

Watching your puppy on a webcam can help you decide whether it’s boredom—in which case the behaviors will be done relatively calmly and often intermittently with sleep in between—or separation anxiety. If it’s the latter, it’s more likely to be constant and your puppy will display obvious signs of stress.

Do puppies grow out of crying when left?

Separation anxiety is when dogs feel intense distress being apart from their owners. It’s very common and a lot of puppies suffer from it, but it won’t go away by itself. Thankfully, there are several things you can do to stop separation anxiety in its tracks, but first, we need to understand it.

Why won’t my puppy settle at night?

If your puppy is worried during the night, they might cry or bark. This is completely normal as they adjust to a new home and environment. Don’t worry about teaching them they’ll get attention whenever they cry or bark – leaving them (even if they seem to settle) can cause a lot more stress.

Is it OK to let puppy cry in crate?

Why Puppies Sometimes Cry in Their Crates – The crate certainly seems like a cold, lonely place when you are used to sleeping with (or under or on top of!) all your friends. From day one, puppies use their voice to communicate with their mothers. If the newborn puppy has gotten wedged in an uncomfortable spot or has accidentally gotten separated from the rest of his littermates, he will whine loudly, often resulting in the mother dog nudging him back to the correct spot. After really contemplating it from your puppy’s perspective, you may be tempted to do away with crate training all together just to make the little guy feel better in the moment. While it may seem tempting to cuddle your puppy to sleep in your own bed, unless you plan to always be by your puppy’s side, we do recommend crate training as at some point he will have to figure out how to be alone when you are at work or away from home.

• So when it comes to dealing with your puppy’s crying in the crate, we recommend focusing on building a positive association.
• One thing to note is whether or not your puppy has been exposed to any type of kennel training during his first 8 weeks with his breeder.
• Please note that early introduction to crate training is critical.

Finding a breeder who exposes a puppy to crates and individual time before they go home definitely puts your pup one step ahead with crate training. If, however, you are starting at square one, not to worry- you will just want to start off gradually. Without a proper introduction, the crate can automatically be an object of anxiety.

Learn about our puppy matchmaking process See our upcoming litters of doodle puppies Start your puppy application Speak to a member of our team to learn more

So just having the crate in the room and opening and closing the door near your pup to desensitize him to the sound is a good first step. As he approaches to sniff the crate, offer treats to slowly start building a positive association. On day one, you may simply want to feed your pup in the crate and initially let him sniff the place out without even closing the door.

• Once he is familiar with the crate, you can start closing him for short periods of time and always reward him with treats upon entering the crate.
• Now comes the hard part.
• Once your pup is comfortable with the sight, sounds, and smells of the crate, it’s time to get serious and ready to hear some whining! Most puppies will object quite loudly, but should settle in under half an hour.

Make sure your puppy has had a potty break just before entering the crate as puppies do not like to soil their crates and will protest loudly if they need to potty as well. If you know your puppy has recently gone potty and is overall comfortable being near the crate, then it is okay to let him bark and whine. He is simply learning how to settle without being with his pack. Your puppy may bark for a while, settle for a minute and then begin barking again.

• As time goes on, his periods of quiet should lengthen a bit and he will eventually fall asleep.
• The key when it comes to whether or not to ignore or respond to your pup’s cries is all in the timing.
• Consider this example: you put your pup in the crate with a chew treat and they are happily chewing for a few minutes.

But then they finish their treat and without the distraction of the treat, they begin to cry. You feel bad for the little guy, and after all he was quiet for at least a few minutes, so you go to let him out. After all, you want to be your puppy’s favorite person.

But if you let your pup out immediately upon hearing his cries, he will make the connection that crying in his crate leads to getting out, which is not an ideal lesson for long-term positive results with crate training. Most of the time we recommend that your pup be settled for 5 or more minutes before being let out of their crate.

The most ideal scenario is that your pup cries for a bit, but settles in under 30 minutes and falls asleep. Then you as the owner decide when to get your pup out — it’s okay to wake them after a while and take them out of their crate. This way your pup is learning that you as the owner set the boundaries about crate time, not the other way around.

However, it’s not always so simple, and there are times that we do recommend responding to your puppy’s cries in their crate. If your puppy has been barking with no signs of settling for over thirty minutes, it may be time to reevaluate. Some puppies with a higher degree of separation anxiety may just continue escalating rather than slowly settling.

In this case, you do want to eventually respond to their cries to avoid them developing a strong negative association with the crate. If your puppy is showing no signs of slowing down, it is okay to get them out to reset and try again later. (You can learn more about what age puppies are most difficult here,) You may need to work backwards and gradually work your way to longer crate times.

• This may look like feeding treats in the crate with the door open while petting the puppy and simply timing crate sessions for the length of time you feel comfortable with (we recommend starting with 30 minutes) and letting the puppy out after this duration each time.
• This way the puppy does not become too stressed in his crate, but should also slowly recognize that you are still determining when he comes out of his crate, and that his barking is not the determining factor.

There is some trial and error involved. Some puppies settle more quickly if they are near their humans and can still see and hear them. This helps them know they are not totally alone and helps them get used to separation in smaller degrees. Other puppies seem to have quite the opposite reaction and bark all the louder when they can see their people as it seems to frustrate them that they are missing out on activity in the household! If this is the case with your doodle, you can try covering his crate with a blanket to see if he settles more quickly without being visually stimulated. Regardless of whether your pup seems to be catching on easily to crate-training or not, continue working on building positive associations whenever possible. We recommend always feeding your puppy meals in his crate as one reliable, daily positive association.

1. Also, if you have certain high-value treats that your pup seems to especially enjoy, save those just for crate time.
2. Longer lasting chews or puzzle toys filled with treats are a good option for giving your pup something to do in his crate.
3. Eeping busy with food will help build a positive association and distract him from his separation woes.

We came up with a handy new puppy owner checklist you can use.

Should I yell at my puppy for crying at night?

If you respond in any way to your dog’s crying, even negatively, it will only reinforce his bid for attention. Be prepared to ignore your dog’s crying at night. You may need to move your dog and his crate to another part of the house where you cannot hear him or use earplugs.

Does putting a blanket over a dog crate help?

A crate cover, like a blanket or crate-specific covering, can be beneficial to many dogs and can help reduce anxiety and soothe dogs by limiting visual stimuli, which in turn can prevent excitement and barking.

Should I ignore my puppy crying in crate?

Although it’s important not to rush to your puppy each time they cry in their crate, it’s best to take a gradual approach. Assuming your pup is well, isn’t hungry or thirsty, and doesn’t need to go to the toilet, you can ignore their whines or cries for a small amount of time to see if they settle.

How do I train my puppy to sleep alone?

Teaching Alone Time – Begin by closing your puppy in the confinement area with a chew toy or other constructive activity, then quietly walk out of the room. Return immediately and reward them with praise and a treat, Repeat the process, slowly increasing how long you’re away each time.

In the beginning, even one or two minutes might feel too long for your puppy, but over three or four days, you should be able to build up to fairly long periods. As the time span increases, return to check on your puppy periodically. If they are quiet and calm, reward them with low-key praise and a treat before leaving to continue the countdown.

Don’t make too much fuss when you check on them. You don’t want your puppy to miss you when you leave the room. If your puppy is crying in their confinement area, you’ve likely started the training before they’ve learned to associate the area with good things, or you’ve left them alone for too long.

Don’t make a habit of letting them out when they fuss. Otherwise, you will teach them that whining opens the door and earns attention. Instead, shorten their time in the confinement area to what they can handle, and build the time more slowly. Remember that confinement in the exercise pen or crate is only temporary while you work on your puppy’s alone time training.

Once your puppy is confident on their own, and they understand potty training and the rules of good behavior, you can start giving them access to your home while you are away, one room at a time. The goal is an adult dog that is relaxed, self-assured, and can be trusted with more freedom.

What time should a puppy go to bed?

Final Thoughts – Getting a four-legged furry friend is an excellent addition to any home, but one you have to be prepared for, especially when it comes to sleep. When you get a puppy, it’s best to keep them in your room for the first few weeks to not suffer separation anxiety.

Do not let your puppy sleep in your bed from an early age as it will develop a bad habit and familiarise your bed with its sleeping quarters. Similarly, it may trigger allergies, leave a scent in your bed and cause disturbance to your sleep. The best thing to do is leave them in a crate or bed near you while you sleep.

Do note that your puppy may wake up in the night due to it being lonely or hearing external noises like thunderstorms or other dogs outside. This is entirely normal. You can do things like investing in a white noise machine to prevent your puppy from being disturbed or even playing music to get it to sleep.

Where should a puppy sleep the first night?

Puppy’s First Week A Puppy’s first week at home is an exciting time for the family, but it can be a very scary experience for the dog. Being taken away from its mother and siblings, and put into a new environment with people that it has never met before is hard. There is no wonder that puppies are nervous on their first night, and of course, so are their families.

• When the pup has settled into its new home and a routine has been developed, the fun can begin but getting through the first few days can be a harrowing experience for everyone.
• Planning and preparation will get everyone off to a good start and make this time of transition as easy as possible.
• If possible, visit the puppy a few times before the day of picking it up and ask the breeders lots of questions including when and what to feed it as well as for a copy of the pup’s vaccinations and paperwork.

But, organise to pick up the puppy either before a long weekend, at the beginning of a holiday, or at a time when someone will be home with it all the time for as many days as possible. PUPPY PROOFING THE HOME Before picking up the newest family member, the home must be puppy-proofed.

Put away loose articles such as shoes, clothes, and kids toys, and remove all floor plants that the pup might chew or knock over. Secure anything that is hanging low such as tablecloths and tea towels. Chair and table legs may need to be wrapped if the pup shows any interest in chewing them as should cables and electrical cords.

Block all access to pools, ponds, and dangerous areas as puppies can squirm through some fairly tiny spaces, and check the fences for even the smallest hole. Cover any small spots in the house that a puppy could hide in such as under beds and behind wardrobes and make sure that all the doors to cupboards and drawers are always left closed.

SETTING THE GROUND RULES Setting strong ground rules for the family is the first step to making sure that the new puppy receives consistent messages on what is good behaviour and what isn’t acceptable and a routine needs to be put in place as this will make training the pup so much easier. Sit everyone in the household down and decide where the puppy will eat, sleep and go to the toilet.

Prepare a schedule for when the puppy will be fed, played with, and be trained. In the beginning, everyone will agree to do anything, even the poo pick-ups, but of course, you need to be prepared for their enthusiasm to wain when the reality of these jobs kicks in.

If there are children in the household, teach them how to hold and play with the puppy before it arrives. Make sure that they know that rough-housing, poking and ear-pulling aren’t allowed and that, when they hug the puppy, they mustn’t smother it. Children younger than six should be taught that they must always be sitting on the floor when holding the pup to make sure that it won’t be injured if it’s dropped.

Use a stuffed toy to demonstrate how to hold, pat and play with it and never leave the kids alone with the puppy, even for just a minute. Make sure everyone knows how to lavish the puppy with praise when it is doing the right thing since puppies respond quickly to rewards.

For a dog, the period between five and twelve weeks is critical for their development so everyone in the household needs to be consistent in what is acceptable for the pup and how to train it to behave well. Rewarding a pup is all about using a bright and happy voice to repeat terms like ‘good boy, Fido’ or ‘well done Fido’.

Using toys as a reward is also a great idea but be a little bit careful if using treats as very young puppies can get an upset tummy when new foods are introduced. If treats are to be used, use only those that it is already used to even if it is just from their normal dinner.

Of course, at some point, the pup is going to do something wrong and needs to be made aware of it. The best technique is to use a deep, fairly loud voice to say a sharp ‘no’. This should stop the pup and once you have its attention you can give it something more appropriate to do such as playing with a chew toy.

After it has been doing that for a minute, always follow up with some praise so that it is reinforced that this behaviour is acceptable. Smacking and other forms of aggressive punishment are not acceptable and are not even effective. NAMING A PUPPY It is such a personal choice when naming a puppy.

1. Sometimes a name will just come into a new owner’s head as soon as he or she sees their bundle of fur but for others, it can be quite tricky to choose one that is just right.
2. One piece of advice is to choose a name that you will be happy calling out when playing down at the park.
3. If you’re a tough bloke, you may not want to be calling out “C’mon Princess” whilst hanging out with your mates at a barbecue.

Some people believe that it is best only to use the puppy’s name in a positive way and never for punishment or for negative reasons. This is supposed to make it more likely that a puppy will come when its name is called as it will always think that there will be a reward, praise, or a cuddle.

Leash and collar – avoid those with ornaments attached as puppies are prone to chewing. Food bowl – it’s fine to buy a bowl with the puppy’s adult size in mind but still only fill it with the amount that it should eat at its young age. Stainless steel bowls are more durable than plastic or ceramic which a puppy might chew. Water bowl – choose a bowl that is difficult to tip and which holds at least a litre of water. Puppy chew toy – choose one to suit the breed and the size of the pup. Soft toy – to use for ‘scent of the litter’ as explained below. Choose a puppy-safe toy that does not have small pieces that can be chewed off and swallowed. Dog crate– the team at Better Pets and Gardens can give advice on the best size to buy. Dog bed – one with high sides helps to create a cosy spot to snuggle into. Grooming tools – a soft brush helps get the puppy accustomed to being groomed. Pet tag – temporary tags are available for a puppy that has yet to be named or Better Pets and Gardens can engrave tags on the spot. Puppy pen or safety gate – to keep a pup contained in one area of the house or garden. Urine neutraliser – bio enzymatic product to clean up after accidents. Poo pick-up bags – attach them to the lead or keep them in the puppy’s toilet spot. Food – this may be provided by the breeder but if not, feed the same food as what the puppy was eating before it was collected.

THE SCENT OF THE LITTER When picking up the puppy from the breeder, take a brand new toy or new blanket and rub it on each of the puppies in the litter or on the bedding that the puppy slept on. This will put the ‘scent of the litter’ onto the toy which can then be placed in its bed when it is time to sleep.

It will provide the puppy with some familiar smells on its first night when it may be missing its siblings. PUPPY’S FIRST CAR RIDE HOME This might be the first car ride for the pup and it will probably not enjoy the experience too much. It may end up with an upset tummy from both the stress and the movement of the car so, if possible, ask the breeder not to feed it for about two hours before the trip.

Transport the dog in a dog crate or travel box with a blanket in the bottom. It should be kept secure in the vehicle and not be just left sitting on a seat where it can easily fall off or distract the driver. If possible, take a second person in the car to collect the puppy.

If they drive, you will then be free to talk to the pup on its first car ride. As soon as it arrives at its destination, let it relieve itself on the grass before going inside. PUPPY’S FIRST HOURS AT HOME When the puppy first comes into the home, keep other animals outside and make sure that the house is quiet to reduce as much stress as possible.

Try to avoid having toddlers around at this time as you could imagine how scary an excited toddler might appear to a tiny puppy. Close off doors to other rooms and keep the pup contained in just one area where it will be fully supervised. Allow the puppy to explore the room and then meet his new family in a calm and quiet manner.

Take the lead from the puppy as to whether it wants to be cuddled or played with or even have a nap. Have the new dog crate in the room which the puppy can also have a sniff at and put the soft toy with his sibling’s scent in the crate so that the pup gets the feeling that this is where it belongs. If the pup wants a nap, put him into the crate.

The door can be left open if someone is in the room to supervise but if they have to leave for a few minutes, close the door so that it remains safe. PUPPY’S FIRST MEAL Feed the puppy exactly the same food and at the same time as it was fed at the breeders so that it doesn’t end up with any tummy upsets.

1. But, this will be the first time it would have been fed on its own without its brothers and sisters pushing to get in too so its whole routine will be out of whack.
2. Every interaction with a puppy is a training opportunity and dinner time is no different.
3. Once the food is prepared, hold onto the puppy’s collar to get it to sit and wait.

As soon as the puppy calms down, say a word such as ‘ok’ and then release it to have dinner. This same training should happen before every meal and soon the young dog will know to wait calmly for its food. Carry the pup out to its new toilet spot as soon as it has eaten.

• Don’t let it walk there as chances are that it won’t make it before it has an accident on the floor.
• Whilst the pup is on the grass and going to the toilet, repeat the words ‘go toilet’ so that this becomes its signal that this is the time and place to go to the toilet.
• When the puppy does go, lavish it with praise.

FIRST NIGHT WITH PUPPY For the puppy, this is a night full of firsts. It’s the first time it has been away from its mother; the first time with new people; the first time in a new home with a new bed with new sights, sounds, and smells. It must be quite a scary time.

On this first night, be prepared for very little sleep and a little bit of heartbreak as the puppy will probably feel lonely and there will almost definitely be whining. And some of it might even be from you! A few hours before the pup’s bedtime, have a good play with it to try to exhaust it ready for a good night’s sleep.

Don’t let it nap at this time or it will be fully awake and ready to play when you’re trying to sleep. Remove any food or water after about seven o’clock and just before it’s time to go to bed, take the pup out to the toilet, and give it lots of praise when it’s successful.

On the first night, and for about three weeks, have the puppy sleep in a dog crate next to the bed. Line the base with blankets so that it is cosy and drape another blanket over the top to help it feel more secure. Give the puppy the stuffed toy that has its littermates’ scent on it to snuggle up to. If the puppy cries, take it out on a leash to go to the toilet and then put it back into the crate without any treats or playtime.

As tempting as it might be to sit and give it a cuddle, remember that the plan is to train the puppy to know that nighttime is sleep time and not a time for playing or cuddles. There’s plenty of time for cuddling in the morning. Unless there is the intention of starting a habit of a lifetime, don’t allow the puppy into the bed.

• It’s far more difficult to ‘untrain’ this habit than it is to teach the puppy to sleep in a dog crate next to the bed and possibly in another location in a few week’s time.
• Some people will fill a hot water bottle with warm water and wrap it in blankets to put amongst the bedding for the pup to snuggle up to and of course, there is the age-old trick of leaving a wind-up ticking clock near the bed so that it mimics the mother’s heartbeat.

When a puppy won’t sleep, almost anything is worth a try. Of course, not all puppies are going to take to sleeping in a crate in their new home effortlessly so it’s no surprise that many new puppy owners appear blurry-eyed from lack of sleep for at least a few weeks.

• The only way to survive this is with the reminder that there is light at the end of the tunnel and that the puppy will soon feel safe and at home.
• Meanwhile, keep the training consistent and don’t fall into the trap of mollycoddling the puppy when it whines, cries, barks, or howls at night as the only thing that it will be learning is that it will get much more attention if it whines, cries, barks or howls! During these nights, patience is definitely a virtue.

FIRST THING IN THE MORNING The pup will probably wake early in the morning, full of energy and exuberance. The household will wake somewhat differently; yawning and red-eyed from lack of sleep. The first thing to do is carry the pup out to its new toilet spot and give it lots of praise when it relieves itself but remember, don’t let it walk as it probably won’t make it.

1. It’s now time for the puppy’s breakfast which should follow the exact same routine as for dinner and then, of course, it should be taken straight back outside to go to the toilet.
2. After that, give the puppy lots of love and cuddles and enjoy the first full day with this little bundle of joy.
3. CRADLING Whilst still allowing the puppy time to sleep and short periods of time on its own, it’s also important to handle the puppy as much as possible from the very first moment it arrives home so that as it grows it is more comfortable at the groomers and with the vet.

Adult dogs that have never been taught to have their feet, ears, and mouth handled become stressed and even ‘nippy’ when it comes time for a vet check or to have their nails clipped. At least three times a day, cradle the puppy on its back and handle its feet, nails, ears, and mouth by first just touching them and then building up to being able to hold and even press them.

Gently run your hands up and down the puppy’s tummy and over its legs and give it a gentle brush all over. Some puppies resist being cradled but they will soon learn to be comfortable and will eventually be quite happy to lie on their back for a relaxing massage. BITING AND CHEWING Isn’t it cute when a little puppy runs off courageously dragging a captured shoe behind it? Everyone laughs and gives the pup a bit of attention and the pup thinks, “That was fun! I might do that again.” But, it’s not so cute when the puppy is 6 months old and the family is hiding their shoes and anything of value for fear that they are going to get chewed up.

Even at the youngest of ages, puppies learn through reinforcement and, in this example, the family reinforced the puppy’s behaviour of shoe stealing by giving a positive reaction. From the very first night, the puppy needs to be discouraged from chewing inappropriate toys and shoes and must learn that biting, whether that be people or other pets, is not allowed.

But, puppies have brand new, very sharp teeth that they want to exercise and if they don’t have an appropriate toy will chew on anything that they can find. Just don’t give them an old thong or shoe though as they will never learn to differentiate between this and your favourite shoes in the wardrobe.

Choose a good quality chew toy that is designed for a puppy up to three months. These will be lightweight, a size to suit a puppy’s jaw, and almost indestructible so that little pieces don’t break off and can be swallowed. Introduce the toy as part of a game and perhaps wipe just a little bit of the puppy’s wet food on the toy to encourage it to at least start licking it.

As the puppy grows, move on to larger chew toys that help provide relief when teething. ACCIDENTS HAPPEN Unfortunately, accidents happen often with such young pups. They can go to the toilet as often as every 20 to 30 minutes and almost always after every meal and drink. The trick is to pre-empt this and take the pup out to its toilet spot regularly and then give it lots of praise and reward when it’s successful.

If the pup doesn’t make it to the toilet spot, the floor needs to be cleaned thoroughly so that no smell lingers as this will entice it back to that area to go to the toilet next time. Since urine is actually a sticky substance, even the grout in a tile floor will retain the scent of urine that a dog can smell if it’s not neutralised.

To clean up after an ‘accident’, use thick wads of paper towels to soak up as much of the urine as possible. Then apply a bio-enzymatic product, especially for pet urine which will treat the uric acid crystals as well and remove the odour totally. All of the surface area of the floor where the urine has been needs to be treated which is a bit trickier on the carpet as the urine may have soaked through to the underlay so several applications may be needed.

Avoid using chemical-based cleaners or deodorisers which actually trap the urine crystals in the carpet or fabric. Better Pets and Gardens has several products that can be used on carpets, fabrics, and hard floors but it is always best to test them first on a hidden section on the floor to ensure that they don’t cause any staining or affect the colours.

INTRODUCING A PUPPY TO OTHER PETS When first introducing the pup, have a second person around so that both adult dog and puppy can be kept on a lead and restrained. Watch for body language and signs of aggression which might be staring, baring teeth, laid-back ears, or raised hair on the back of the neck.

If this happens, remove one of the dogs and let them both cool off and try introducing them again later. If there’s more than one adult dog, introduce them one at a time. When introducing a cat to a puppy, make sure that the cat has an escape route. The cat will always feel safer if it has a ‘puppy free’ zone where it can relax without fear of being pestered or chased.

• Other cats and dogs should never be left alone with the puppy or be allowed to sleep with it until you are sure that there is no potential for aggressive behaviour.
• And, don’t expect them to be best friends overnight as they will all be trying to work out where this ‘intruder’ fits into the pack.
• MORE INFORMATION After surviving the first few days with the new puppy, find out more with our fact sheet ‘Bringing Home a Puppy’.

It is available in-store or on the Better Pets and Gardens, : Puppy’s First Week

Will puppies stop crying if you ignore them?

If they’re scared due to a thunderstorm or other loud noises. – “If your puppy’s whining is due to anxiety or fear, ignoring them may exacerbate their stress and make the problem worse,” says Dr. Wolf. “In these instances, it’s important to address the underlying issue and work with your puppy to build their confidence and comfort in the situation.”

Is it okay to ignore puppy whining?

Ignore the whining behavior. – One of the biggest mistakes that new pet parents make is giving their puppies attention or taking their puppies out of the crate once the whining begins. “Ignoring the whining is your best option,” says Dr. Coates. “Any type of attention will just reinforce the behavior.” Campbell says that pet parents should avoid giving attention or taking a puppy out of the crate until he is quiet.

How long should I ignore my puppy whining?

How Long Should You Ignore A Puppy Crying In A Crate? – You can ignore your dog’s whining or crying behaviors in their crate for up to 10 – 15 minutes. After that amount of time, it’s best to take a step back and work on other crate training methods, like familiarizing them with their crate or exercising them beforehand.

Should I yell at my puppy for crying at night?

If you respond in any way to your dog’s crying, even negatively, it will only reinforce his bid for attention. Be prepared to ignore your dog’s crying at night. You may need to move your dog and his crate to another part of the house where you cannot hear him or use earplugs.