How to Stop a Puppy From Whining at Night

It is natural for a puppy to cry on its first few nights away from its mother and litter. According to The Monks of Skete, authors of "The Art of Raising a Puppy," this is reminiscent of a defenseless young animal's reaction when it finds itself separated from its pack in the wild at night. Your puppy's crying is a sign of intense fear in a strange new place, and it is stressful for both dog and owner. Reassuring your puppy of your presence and his safety will help reduce his fears at night.

Things You'll Need

  • Blanket or bed sheet
  • Crate or cardboard box
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Instructions

    • 1

      Stop feeding your puppy at an appropriate time in the evening. At about 7 p.m., take away the food and water, and take your puppy out to eliminate before you retire. This will limit the number of times she will need to do her business during the night.

    • 2

      Prepare a place for your puppy in your room. Proximity to you will reduce his nighttime fears and loneliness. Lay an old blanket or an old bed sheet in a crate or a cardboard box next to your bed. Ensure that the crate or cardboard box is big enough so your puppy will be comfortable, and then place him in his bed. Keeping your puppy confined will ensure his safety and prevent him from eliminating in the room. He will hold it in because puppies do not like to soil their bedding, according to the Monks of New Skete.

    • 3

      Reach down and pat your puppy if she begins to whine during the night. This reassuring act will let her know she is not alone and help her calm down.

    • 4

      Take her to do her business if he begins to whine after being quiet for several hours. This is your puppy letting you know that he needs to go outside. You may have to do this twice during the night.

    • 5

      Carry your puppy outside or to her soiling place first thing in the morning. According to Clarice Rutherford and David H. Neil in "How to Raise a Puppy You Can Live With," she will not be able to walk to this spot on her own without urinating along the way.

    • 6

      Limit your puppy's time in your bedroom to the first two nights only. As the authors say in "How to Raise a Puppy You Can Live with," letting him sleep in your room past the first two nights will make it difficult for him to adjust to sleeping on his own in a different part of your home.