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.
If your puppy is whining at night, you may need to correct your crying. If your puppy has learned they get attention for whining, they will continue to do so. The best way to address learned crying is to ignore them.
And second, how long should you leave them for? If you're leaving your dog to cry for 10 minutes or more, they'll get themselves into such a stressed state it will turn their bed or crate into a negative environment for them.
On the other hand, you should also avoid comforting the dog, as this can teach them that they will receive attention when they bark. Although initially you may experience plenty of sleepless nights, it is better to ignore any barking or whining at night from the get go.
Provide comfort, but not attention
So instead of cuddles and reassurance, you can start your pooch off by letting them sleep in a crate, pen or dog bed in your room, so they know you are nearby. Remember, for doggos even a quiet 'Shh!
As challenging as it might be, let your dog settle himself down. After a few nights, he should understand that whining and crying in the crate won't get him anywhere. Get some earplugs (or use a white noise app on your phone) and know it's a short-term sacrifice for long-term happiness for you and your pup.
It could also be that they're feeling lonely or bored and want some attention. In other cases, the whining can be caused by physical discomforts such as pain or arthritis. It is your job as a dog owner to figure out what is happening to ensure that your dog gets enough sleep at night.
A crying or whining dog can be suffering from health issues, and due to this, he is unable to sleep properly. A bloated or upset stomach caused by intolerant or allergic foods can also be a problem. There's also a possibility that your pup might be injured. It is advised to have a vet consultation in such cases.
Use dramatic body language such as turning away from your dog or folding your arms across your chest and completely ignore her to indicate to your dog that her attention-seeking whining won't work. In addition to not reinforcing whining behavior, you need to reward your dog for being quiet.
Bennett also warned that when dogs are ignored while whining, they often whine even louder before they quiet down. If the owner continues to ignore the whining, the dog will eventually learn the behavior never works. 2. Try not to scold the dog.
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.
You shouldn't leave your dog crying in the crate for more than 10-15 minutes. If they're still crying regularly after this period of time, take a step back and work more on crate desensitization games to build up a positive association with the crate.
Consider treat dispensing toys
Try a Kong stuffed with peanut butter or a puzzle toy to give them something to do. If your dog is a senior and they develop dog separation anxiety at night, it's a good idea to book an appointment with your vet as this could be a sign of canine cognitive dysfunction syndrome.
Ignoring a dog that has suffered with severe anxiety whilst alone – until he gives up trying to interact - is unkind and counterproductive because it actually adds to their anxiety.
Studies show that dogs are sensitive to emotional contagion which is responding to the emotions of another without understanding what they are feeling. Your dog knows you are experiencing poor feelings even if they aren't sure how you feel, so they provide comfort.
They most certainly are capable of expressing emotion, and they typically will express sadness by whimpering or whining or hiding their face. They just don't cry when they're sad. It is believed that humans are really the only animal that will shed tears of emotion.
This is a likely reason for puppies and young dogs. Your dog could be howling at 3 AM or 4AM because he is bored. This can happen if your dog isn't getting enough exercise and playtime throughout the day. Ideally, you want your dog to be tired out by the end of the day, both physically and mentally.
A dog with separation anxiety will cry not only when he or she is sleeping alone at night, but anytime he or she is apart from the human family. More intense than loneliness, it causes your dog to fear that something bad is going to happen to you, or that you will not be able to make your way home.
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.
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.
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.
“In my experience, the four most common breeds of dogs that exhibit signs of separation anxiety are typically Labrador Retrievers, Chihuahuas (both mixed breeds and standards), German Shepherds and Cocker Spaniels”, says Dr.
But, if your dog is already suffering from issues linked to separation, dominance or aggression, you are better off ensuring they can stay comfortably in their own sleeping spot and exploring alternative dog stress management solutions.
Give your dog at least 30 minutes of aerobic activity (for example, running and swimming) every day. Try to exercise your dog right before you have to leave him by himself. This might help him relax and rest while you're gone. Play fun, interactive games with your dog, such as fetch and tug-of-war.