Puppy cry's at night
It can be one of the most frustrating and upsetting times when you are lying in bed and hear that little whimper. Ever wondered how to ease the transition and stop the crying? In this article I will show you how. Dealing with a crying puppy is often the first problem a new puppy owner must face. During the first night a puppy is separated from the rest of the litter he will often whine and fuss. This behavior is a very natural survival skill learned early in life. Whether it’s in the whelping box or in the wild, a puppy learns very quickly that when separated from the pack, calls for help will allow other members of the pack to quickly locate him, thus reuniting him with his peers. To that extent, many animal behaviorists recommend allowing a new puppy to sleep in the same room with you to reduce this separation anxiety.
Instructions Take your puppy for a long walk or play vigorously with it before bedtime. A tired puppy is less likely to whine in the crate. Spend time playing with your dog each night before bed. Make it a routine and the dog will more likely grow tired and sleep through the night. You can play catch, jog together or engage in any high-energy activity that will wear out the dog. Take the puppy outside just before bedtime to potty.
Avoid giving the puppy any food or water three hours before bedtime. This will help ensure that the puppy does not cry in the middle of the night because it needs to potty. Make sure the dog relieves itself before bedtime. In some cases, a dog will cry at night because it needs to go out, so make sure to give it the opportunity before you turn out the lights. If the dog relies on you to let it outside or take it for walks, make sure you do this immediately before bed each night. If you own a puppy under the age of 6 months, you may need to periodically get up and take it outside during the night, as puppies typically need to relieve themselves every three to four hours.
Keep the puppy in a crate and place the crate inside your room if your dog simply desires to remain close to you. Dogs are den animals and will often find a comfortable refuge inside a crate near their owners, according to The Humane Society of the United States. Never to use the crate as a punishment, and never leave your dog inside for longer than the duration of a night's sleep. The puppy will see, hear and smell you, which will help it feel less anxious.
Resist the temptation to respond every time your dog cries. You must not reward the crying by rushing to appease your dog with every whimper. If your dog continues to cry even after you have met all of its needs, just stand strong and ignore the sounds until the dog learns that its cries will not automatically get your attention. Place a comfortable blanket, a toy and a piece of clothing that you have recently worn into the crate. This will make the crate a more inviting environment for the puppy to sleep. Take the puppy outside if it is crying to see if it needs to potty. Immediately bring the puppy back inside and place it back into the crate. If the puppy continues to cry, it is probably seeking attention. Pet the puppy once and go back to bed. Do not continue to give the puppy attention. After a while, the puppy will begin to realize that whining does not get him instant attention
You can also try to wrap a hot water bottle in a towel or thick blanket and put it at one end of the bed. This simulates the warmth of another dog. Put a ticking clock in the room with your puppy to simulate the heartbeat of another dog. Your puppy is used to sleeping with its siblings. A stuffed animal can be great comfort to your puppy, Put a little larger than them is usually a good fit.
If all else fails
If your puppy is still crying and you’re sure it’s not for need of relieving himself, reach down and soothe him a little. Don’t be too doting or coddle your puppy. This will only reinforce the behavior and he’ll cry even more. If he continues to whine, a gruff “Quiet” and a quick, but gentle, shake by the scruff should settle the matter. If all else fails, ignore him. Tough love may be difficult, but eventually your puppy will learn that crying at night gets him nowhere. The more persistent you are in your approach, the quicker the situation will be resolved. If you’re stern one minute and sympathetic the next, your puppy will only be confused and his behavior will continue.
Good Luck
I go through this almost ever night
