Sleep in the same room for the first few nights. For the first few nights, your puppy will need time to adjust to being without their mum. Wherever you decide to settle them in your house, it's a good idea to spend the first few nights in the same room with them so they don't wake up in a panic because no-one is there.
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.
The best compromise can be setting a crate up in the bedroom or just outside of the open bedroom door. This way, the puppy knows you're near. Very young puppies do not have the bladder capacity to hold it for the entire night, so it's imperative that you can hear your puppy vocalizing when he needs to go out.
If you're struggling with sleepless nights with your new puppy, you're not alone. Puppies are like babies and it can take a while before they will sleep comfortably through the night. Unfortunately this means a few weeks of disrupted sleep for you.
When Do Puppies Start Sleeping Through the Night? Most puppies will sleep through the night by the time they're about 4 months (16 weeks) old. But with some help, diligence, and proactive training, you may be able to get your puppy there even earlier!
Ignoring them at night won't help them build confidence and may make them worse which isn't what anyone wants. 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.
A rule of thumb many trainers agree upon is that a puppy can hold her urine for the number of hours that corresponds to her age in months, plus one. So an eight-week-old puppy (two months) can hold it for three hours—but that is the most time she can hold it, so she may feel the urgency to eliminate before that.
We recommend at least having them in your bedroom with you in the beginning in either a dog bed or crate. Having your puppy in your bedroom with you will make them feel more reassured. Then, you can gradually move them to where you would like them to sleep permanently.
Your puppy probably won't be able to sleep through the night until they are 16 weeks old. (Around 4 months old.) This is about the same time that they develop enough muscle and bladder control that they can hold everything in long enough to last all night without a trip outside to the toilet.
Preparing for puppy's first night
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.
There is nothing wrong with cuddling and playing with your new puppy, but try to limit picking them up. Continually holding your dog can make them begin to feel as though they are human and can encourage behavior that causes dominance struggles within your home.
When Do Puppies Start Sleeping Through the Night? Puppies typically learn to sleep through the night by the time they're about sixteen weeks of age. However, puppy owners can expedite the process by employing some tried-and-true dog training techniques, such as crate training.
There are some things we can do to help them settle and feel safe in those first few days. Keep in mind though, that it generally takes about three weeks for a dog or puppy to start to feel 'at home' and to show their true nature. This is an activity you should do before you get your dog or puppy home.
Some puppies may be ready to sleep in bed at 4 months old, but some may need to be 6 months old or older before they can sleep with you. Don't focus on the number but rather your dog's individual readiness for this big step.
It is not recommended to let your puppy sleep with you at night. It's important to teach your puppy independence so they don't become reliant on your company. Not learning this valuable skill can lead to separation anxiety in the future, and we have an in-depth post on this here.
According to the AKC, puppies at 7-8 weeks should get 18-20 hours of sleep per night! Most puppies are weaned from their mother and brought to a new home at this age. This schedule persists until about 20 weeks of age. As the dogs get older, sleep time is reduced to 13-15 hours.
If your puppy cries in the crate at night, your instinct will be to help him—and that's the right thing to do. Although sometimes people worry that getting him out of the crate might teach him to cry, that shouldn't deter you. In fact, you want him to know that you will help him if he's crying.
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).
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.
Puppies bond closely to their littermates and mothers, but their developmental stage at around 8-10 weeks old also predisposes them to be ready to bond with you, too! For that reason, you should not worry about puppies missing their mothers for long.
It is not uncommon for a puppy to defecate 5-6 times per day. Some will eliminate even more frequently. The good news is that the pace of pooping will slow down as the dog matures. Although a 2-week-old puppy may defecate at every feeding, by 12 weeks, they may be down to only 4 times per day.
Puppies tire very easily and need lots of sleep for their healthy development and well-being, so it's important to give them plenty of opportunities to rest. At first, they need as much as 18 to 20 hours of sleep every 24 hours. This will reduce to around 12 to 14 hours as they enter adulthood.