How do I stop my puppy from crying in the crate at night?

Having a new puppy can be overwhelming at times for so many reasons but if your new puppy is crying all night it can make things even more stressful and challenging. Let’s take a look at why your puppy might be crying in their crate and how to help them (and you) get a good night’s sleep.

Getting a new puppy is such an exciting and joyous occasion, but it’s also a significant adjustment that comes with its own set of challenges. Puppies are a handful, and the adjustment period can be tough for both them and their owners. It’s a big responsibility, and I truly sympathize with the sleepless nights you’re going through.

Remember, it takes time for both you and the puppy to adapt to the new routine. There might be moments when it feels like you made the wrong choice, but these challenges are often temporary. Your patience and love will make a huge difference in helping your puppy settle in and become a cherished member of your family.

How do I stop my puppy from crying in the crate at night?

Have they been crate trained?

The ability to feel comfortable in a crate is something a dog has to learn. Popping your puppy in a crate on their first night and expecting them to be quiet for 8 hours is a huge task for a puppy and most of them fail.

On top of this puppies can only really hold their pee for a few hours when they’re younger, and certainly won’t be able to hold it overnight.

Grab your free crate training guide to double check you’ve set up your crate correctly and have given your p[up the best start possible.

Do they want something?

Puppies can be incredibly needy during their first few nights with you. Don’t forget, not only have they only been alive for a matter of weeks, but they’ve spent that time with their littermates and mum before coming to your home with all your new smells, weird noises and no siblings for backup!

Comfort; Are they warm enough? Do they need company? Do they settle down better if they can see you (might be time to move the crate into your bedroom?)

Toilet; Do they need to go outside? Puppies usually pee or poop every few hours at 8 weeks old.

Food; Puppies are fed 4 times a day. Did they throw up on the car ride? Did you feed them too early? Try a small snack to see if they’ll settle.

Have they learned that crying gets attention during the day?

Crying and whining is a noise that not many people can stand for long so if your dog has learned that they get attention when they do it during the day, this can spill over into their nighttime routine. Dogs tend to repeat what works for them, that’s how they learn 🙂

Should I let my puppy just ‘cry it out’ in their crate?

No. A dog who is crying is doing it because they need something or are distressed in some way. The last thing we want to do to a new puppy is teach them that no one is coming when they need them. This will lead to anxiety and separation anxiety where they get so worked up about no one ever coming back to them that they become distressed whenever they’re left alone.

Puppies need to learn EVERYTHING and this includes how to be alone.

My puppy just won’t take to their crate

That’s okay, you don’t need to use a crate.

Crate Alternatives

People choose to crate their dogs for a variety of reasons so depending on your own reason there may be an alternative available if your dog just doesn’t get along with their crate.

House training; Containing your dog in a larger area that’s easy to clean is an alternative to keeping your dog in a crate for a long time overnight. The kitchen or utility room is a common choice due to the flooring.

Safety/Chewing; Dogs can be kept in rooms which have fewer chewing options, such as the kitchen, or they can be contained in a larger area than a crate such as a puppy pen, which can be placed in the centre of rooms and act as a barrier between the dog and those tempting, chewable items.

Destructive Behavior; Pick up everything that your dog likes to chew and put it away. Buy some shoe storage, pick up your socks and place the TV remote on a high shelf.

Separation Anxiety; Being close to you may alleviate your dog’s anxiety so having them in your bedroom overnight might be enough to reassure them. If you’re teaching them to cope by being further away from you then a baby gate might be the first option, keeping them outside the bedroom but still in sight.