Using a Heartbeat to Help a Puppy Sleep

It's normal for a new puppy to take a few nights to adjust to being apart from her mother and littermates. During this time she is likely to cry herself to sleep several times a night unless you find a way to comfort her. Simulating the sound of her mother, using devices to provide extra warmth, or giving her an item with the scent of the other puppies ̵1; all of these can help both of you enjoy a peaceful night̵7;s sleep.

  1. Using Your Heartbeat

    • Bringing the puppy into your own bed is probably the easiest solution in the short term. The puppy can snuggle against you, taking comfort from the warmth of your body and the sound of your heartbeat. Tiny puppies often gravitate to the throat area, sometimes sleeping right across the throat of the pet parent to get close to the sound of the carotid pulse. Not every dog lover loves sharing a bed with a companion animal in the long term, however. Allowing a puppy to sleep with you at this stage might result in quieter nights, but you could go through the same difficulty later when you teach her to sleep in her own bed.

    Ticking Clock

    • The traditional method of mimicking the mother dog̵7;s heartbeat is to place a ticking clock under the puppy̵7;s bedding. The puppy can hear the muffled sound of the ticking through the blankets and feel the gentle vibration caused by the sound. The sound is close enough to a real heartbeat to convince a young puppy, especially if combined with a hot water bottle or a heat pack to keep her warm, or a blanket that carries the scent of her mother. Use clocks and other products that the puppy can̵7;t chew if the puppy is able to reach them, and wrap anything warm in a thick towel to protect the puppy from excessive heat.

    Recorded Heartbeat

    • A recorded version of a heartbeat or pulse could soothe your puppy enough to help her to sleep. Try recording your own heart sounds by taping an electronic microphone to your chest. You will need to sit still to get a reliable resting pulse, but you can do so simply and cheaply. Alternatively, download normal heart sounds from a source such as the University of Washington̵7;s Department of Medicine, and set the sounds to loop on an iPod or similar device alongside the puppy̵7;s sleeping quarters.

    Pillows and Toys

    • Stores selling pet supplies stock various versions of a heartbeat pillow specially made for puppies. The pillow consists of a stuffed cushion with a removable pulse mechanism inside. Powered by batteries, the pulse makes a regular sound similar to a natural heartbeat. The mechanical heartbeat also comes in the form of a stuffed toy bunny that the puppy can sleep with. Older puppies will occasionally chew the pillow or toy and gain access to the mechanism, which could be harmful. Protect your puppy from the dangers of these items, and give her the quiet, sleep-filled nights she needs and you deserve.