How to Make My Labrador Puppy Calm Down & Sleep With Me

Teaching your Labrador puppy when it is bedtime and that bedtime means sleeping instead of playing is called crate training. Once your puppy is crate trained, he will associate going to bed with sleeping through the night. Along with crate training, it is necessary that all puppies expend their energy, eat and potty before being expected to go to bed as well. By taking the necessary steps to crate train your puppy, bedtime becomes a calming and restful experience.

Things You'll Need

  • Appropriate size dog crate
  • Blanket or towel
  • Puppy treats
  • Puppy-safe chew toy
  • Light colored sheet or beach towel
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Instructions

    • 1

      Spend 10 minutes playing and practicing a few training commands using treats as rewards before bedtime. This relaxes your puppy and fills it up with a small snack before bed.

    • 2

      Take your puppy out for its last walk, allowing it plenty of time to find a comfortable spot to eliminate. Praise the puppy but do not play. This signals it's time to calm down for bed.

    • 3

      Call your puppy to the crate placed near your bed and offer him a treat.

    • 4

      Lay a few pieces of treats in the crate and let your puppy walk in the crate to get them. Praise the puppy for going inside the crate.

    • 5

      When the puppy roams out of the crate, say ̶0;bedtime̶1; and call the puppy back into the crate. Offer a treat and verbal praise when the puppy follows the command.

    • 6

      Continue this for a few minutes, then help the puppy settle into the crate with a treat and chew toy.

    • 7

      Close the door, say goodnight and partially cover the crate with a light sheet.

    • 8

      Take the puppy out of the crate first thing in the morning to relieve its bladder and praise the puppy for being a good dog if the crate is dry and the toy has been chewed.

    • 9

      Repeat this until the puppy is able to sleep through the night and has gained your confidence as an owner.

    • 10

      Move the puppy's sleeping blanket and chew toy to the foot of the bed, call the puppy up to its blanket, give the command ̶0;bedtime̶1; and offer the puppy a treat and chew toy.

    • 11

      Continue with your puppy̵7;s bedtime routine and before long it will learn to sleep through the night at the foot of the bed.