How to Get My Puppy to Fall Asleep

The demands of a new puppy are the same or greater as a new baby. Many people crate train their puppies to sleep by themselves or set up areas for their puppy to sleep. However, puppies unaccustomed to their new surroundings can have problems sleeping. You can help your new best friend to get a good night's rest with a few clever tricks to help it feel secure.

Things You'll Need

  • Crate or dog bed
  • Treats
  • Dog toys
  • Leash
  • Hot water bottle
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Instructions

    • 1

      Introduce your puppy to its crate or bed before using it at night. Crate training is often recommended because it teaches your dog to use the bathroom outside only, and you can put your puppy into a crate for a 2 to 3 hours while you are out.

    • 2

      Place your puppy in its crate during the day and reward it with a treat and a soft dog toy. Leave it in for 10 minutes at first. Praise it while it is inside and hug it when you take it out. Offer it a small treat. This demonstrates to your puppy that it is good for it to be in the crate and you always plan on taking it out. Repeat a few times a day.

    • 3

      Walk it outside to go to the bathroom using a leash after being in the crate. Feed your puppy approximately one hour before bedtime. Just before bed, walk your puppy again and have it do its business outside.

    • 4

      Place the crate near your bed and put your puppy inside to go to bed. Place a soft toy inside with it. Add a hot water bottle if necessary for cold nights. You go to bed also. This teaches your puppy that at bedtime, everyone goes to sleep.

    • 5

      Take your puppy outside to the potty if it whines after a few hours. Keep the lights dim and let the dog to do its business. If it does not do anything in 15 minutes, place it back into the crate. Praise it and tell it to go to sleep.

    • 6

      Ignore any whining unless it is after 2 hours. Then, take it outside to the bathroom. Put it back into the crate after it goes to the bathroom.