- admin@amity
- August27,2021
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Have you ever had to deal with your puppy not sleeping well at night? Maybe he’s new to your home, or just going through a phase. It’s important to know your puppy’s sleep matters.
How much sleep puppies need?
Puppies can sleep around of 12 to 16 hours daily. That’s a lot of sleep, however, they will do this in stints throughout the day unlike humans who sleep at night for a long period.
Your puppy might wake you because it wants to go to the toilet. Generally, puppies can hold themselves from the need to pee, 1 hour for each month of their age. This is because puppies have small bladders, and they eventually build longer periods of hold as they grow.
While there are puppies who need to wee during the night there are other who might not need to. Some puppies will need to be let out several times during the night for a period of time till they develop the need for fewer instances.
Be sure to train your puppy on expected behaviour at night if you are taking them out. Don’t engage in play and give clear commands so your puppy finds it easy to settle into a routine.
My puppy is crying at night. What should I Do?
In new environments, puppies can get lonely and overwhelmed. Especially if they’ve been pulled away from a litter and their mother. Feeling lonely can make your pup whimper or cry at night. There are many ways you can make the feel comfortable. You must consider changes in the environment to help them settle in. One of the most comforting things you can do for your puppy is to co sleep with them. When he/she is upset, they will have you nearby to comfort them.
As your pup gets used to the environment, you can increase the distance between pup and yourself slowly. Don’t forget to make a dedicated corner before your new puppy’s arrival. This should be in a separate area of the house, your room or wherever you deem suitable. You may want to watch and observe your puppy to decipher whether they might want their space in a different place than what you originally assign.
Crate training your puppy
Getting your puppy to sleep in an assigned crate, or bed can be a tricky thing to accomplish. The best way is to make the space inviting with toys, cushions and blankets. Always make sure you praise your puppy when they access the space appropriately.
Creating your puppy’s own space goes a long way in encouraging them to access their crate, be independent and not always have to be with someone else. This is especially important to establish when your puppy is new to the environment. It’s a sure shot for avoiding separation anxiety. You must ensure your dogs crate is suited for his size, keeping in mind that as a puppy, the crate will only get smaller for him/her. It should be comfortable for sitting, stretching, moving around in.
The space must be cosy and safe with things in it to help your puppy relax in the crate. Getting the size exactly right, not too big and not too small is important. At night, make sure your dog has plenty of cushioning and blankets for that extra feeling of safety. Puppies don’t wee where they sleep so this shouldn’t be an issue. It is important that your puppy doesn’t feel trapped inside their crate, and you shouldn’t shut the door. They should have the freedom to go in or out. Eventually despite your best efforts to make their sleeping crate inviting, your puppy may just choose another place to sleep in. The best thing to do at that point is to give them that freedom of choice and go with it unless in the unlikely event, that option isn’t safe. Sometimes, your puppy just won’t accept the crate you set up for them and you may want to consider letting them choose a safe place else in your home for sleep. Just make sure you provide comfortable bedding there and to keep your pup from wandering off, you can put partition like fencing around the space.
