How to Get Your Poodle Puppy to Sleep Through the Night

Poodle puppies---with their soft curls and affectionate dispositions---can be lovable pets, but you may not think so when they start howling at 2 a.m. Almost all puppies can sleep through the night by the time they're 16 weeks old, but they usually have to be trained to do it. Since poodle puppies sleep almost 14 hours a day, your dog needs his nighttime rest as much as you do.

Things You'll Need

  • Dog bed
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Instructions

  1. Dog Bed

    • 1

      Buy a bed for the puppy. It's best not to buy one made from a basket, because puppies can chew the woven pieces. Put a chew toy, a cuddly toy and a piece of your recently worn clothing (which has your scent on it) in the bed. Make sure the bed is a warm, draft-free place. Every time the puppy wants to sleep, send him to that same bed. Never let him nap anywhere else.

    • 2

      Give him lots of physical activity during the day, and limit his nap time so he is tired at night. Stop playtime an hour or two before he needs to be asleep so he associates nighttime with calm and relaxation.

    • 3

      Take him for a walk just before you go to sleep to give him a chance to empty his bladder. Set your alarm clock so you wake up every three hours to give him a quick potty break. When he goes, praise him but do not fuss over him or play with him. When he settles into this routine for three nights, push each potty break back by 15 minutes until you're both sleeping through the night.

    • 4

      Learn to differentiate your puppy's cries. Just like an infant, poodles often have one cry for attention and another if they need a bathroom break. If the puppy needs a bathroom break, walk him quickly then bring him back to his bed. The next night, set your alarm earlier so that you walk him before he cannot hold it.

    • 5

      Check on the puppy after he stops barking when he is yelping in the night. If you come when he's barking incessantly, he'll learn that non-stop barking makes you show up. Wait until he settles down before checking in on him.