Dog experts recommend not letting your puppy cry at night. It's likely to make their anxiety worse and could lead to behavior problems. Not only will you hear it, but your neighbors will hear crying, too. Even if you live in a soundproof home or have a mansion, the noise will be audible even if they're alone.
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.
Most pups will cry for around half the time. By the third night it should be just a few hours, and an average pup is quiet for the fourth. Once they are settled, you will actually need to go in at least once overnight to take them out to toilet! This is when you can swap the pen for a bed-sized crate.
It's OK to comfort them.
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.
Separation anxiety is a serious condition that creates high levels of stress for your puppy and often results in abnormal behaviour when left alone. Puppies may cry a little when you leave the house, but separation anxiety is usually explained by more extreme behaviours, such as: Destructive or disruptive behaviour.
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.
You should never leave a puppy to cry when they are in need of the basics, or this can cause difficulties with training later. Your puppy may cry when they are left alone, perhaps if you're elsewhere in the home or asleep.
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.
Never ignore a puppy during these first few days, as their crying is more likely to be caused by stress or fear which shouldn't be neglected. Ignoring a puppy may also teach the puppy that you aren't there to help them when they are distressed, causing further fear and distress.
Puppies cry or whine when they are distressed, such as when they cannot find their mother. They emit sounds so that their mother can seek them out. When adult dogs cry and whine, their vocalizations may convey a greeting, a message of defense, an invitation to play, or maybe a sign of submission.
Typically, dogs between 7-16 weeks can sleep 6-8 hours, but they still need to take a potty break at night. So if your dog wakes up at night, it means it needs to pee. Do not play or pay attention to it during this time.
Dogs are a naturally social species and it's normal for them to stay close to their social group which is why they can become anxious when left alone. When a puppy is first separated from their mother and litter mates, their usual response will be to whine, whimper or bark while trying to get back to them.
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.
Is it okay to leave my 8-week-old puppy? Yes, but not for a long period of time. 8-week-old puppies should only be left for an hour or so. Any longer and they'll need to use the bathroom or may become stressed and anxious.
This won't help your pup settle into his new home, but will create trust issues and teach your dog that you can and will leave him. There is no sugarcoating it: The first night with your puppy will be the hardest, but at least you will be prepared and know exactly what to expect.
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!
Typically, it takes a few days or up to a week for the puppy to adjust to their new surroundings. During this time their nightly crying will start to die down.
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.
Yes, they will cry but we have to teach them how to self-soothe and remain calm and relaxed in your absence. Otherwise, you're never going to get your puppy over their anxiousness when you're not home.
However, there's no getting away from the fact that the early weeks with a new puppy are hard and they will most likely leave you feeling stressed, exhausted and questioning your sanity.
Puppies whining in their crates is normal behavior, says Linda Campbell, RVT, VTS, shelter animal behavior manager at the Humane Society of Missouri. “Dogs new to being crated may whine or cry because they are not accustomed to the confinement,” she says.