N
The Daily Insight

What do I do if my puppy wakes up in the middle of the night

Author

Sarah Silva

Updated on April 24, 2026

Help them get plenty of exercise during the day. … Keep bedtime calm. … Make sure they have peed and pooped. … Make their crate comfortable. … Give them something to chew on. … Keep your puppy’s crate close by.

What do you do when your puppy wakes up at night?

  1. Make the crate inviting. Don’t buy an expensive dog bed for a new pup, because he’s likely to chew it up. …
  2. Establish a bedtime routine. …
  3. Keep his sleep area quiet and dim. …
  4. Don’t give in at bedtime. …
  5. Be prepared for interruptions.

What do I do if my puppy wakes up at 4am?

  1. Draw all curtains closed.
  2. Walk them late to tire them out.
  3. Stand your ground when they try waking you.

How do I stop my dog from waking me up in the middle of the night to potty?

Create a nighttime routine: TV off, hallway light off, outside light off, etc. This will let them know that they have to go potty because you are headed to bed. Try to wake up before they do. If they can wake you to potty, then they will learn that waking you up gets a reward of a bladder release.

Should I ignore my puppy crying at night?

Ignoring them at night won’t help them build confidence and may make them worse which isn’t what anyone wants. They need to be taught how to be independent slowly. We would never recommend ignoring your puppy when they cry at night, especially in their first few nights.

How do I stop my puppy waking at 3am?

  1. Help them get plenty of exercise during the day. …
  2. Keep bedtime calm. …
  3. Make sure they have peed and pooped. …
  4. Make their crate comfortable. …
  5. Give them something to chew on. …
  6. Keep your puppy’s crate close by.

Why is my dog waking me up at 3am?

If your pet is constantly waking you up at 3 am because they are hungry, then adjusting their feeding schedule can help them sleep throughout the night. Or your dog may be waking you up because they have to go outside to use the bathroom.

Why do puppies wake up so easily?

A dog’s sleep needs and patterns are very different from a human’s. Dogs sleep longer than people, but they spend less time in deep sleep, meaning that they are often easy to wake, and often ready to deal with a non-existent threat.

Do I have to take my puppy out in the middle of the night?

Bear in mind, you’ll need to take puppies younger than three or four months outside at least once during the night. So for the first few weeks after your pup comes home, set the alarm to go off five to six hours after your puppy’s last bathroom break when you’ll take them to their outdoor toilet.

How do you make my puppy wake up later?

Change your dog’s feeding schedule by moving his dinner and breakfast times later by an hour. Adjust the feeding times slowly, in 10- to 15-minute increments every couple of days, until you reach an hour’s difference. This will encourage him to wake up later, especially if he’s motivated by food.

Article first time published on

What age do puppies stop waking up so early?

Most puppies will sleep through the night by the time they’re about 4 months (16 weeks) old. But with some help, diligence, and proactive training, you may be able to get your puppy there even earlier!

How do I get my puppy to sleep later in the morning?

You can use an alarm to wake your dog in the morning. Each day, set this alarm 15 minutes later than he normally wakes. Over time, he might get used to the new time, especially if he is in your room and can hear the alarm. Turn on a ceiling or standing fan or create white noise to help your dog sleep longer.

How many nights will a puppy cry?

It depends. Some puppies cry every night for the first one or two weeks while others only cry the first night or two. Your puppy might cry the entire night or he might only cry for an hour or so until he passes out. They are all different!

Where should my new puppy sleep the first night?

  • Your puppy’s sleeping quarters should be in a small crate. …
  • Keep the crate in a draft free area next to your bed. …
  • Under no circumstances take the puppy to bed with you. …
  • Give the puppy a stuffed dog toy to snuggle with.

How long will a puppy cry at night in a crate?

Puppy crying at night how long does it last? If your puppy has spent the first week or so sleeping next to you, and has now been moved into their permanent night time quarters, you should find that any crying at bedtime will be brief. We’re talking ten or fifteen minutes, for maybe a couple of nights.

Why does my dog wake up in the middle of the night crying?

Dogs who sleep alone at night and have a tendency to cry are often expressing concern about being separated from the rest of their pack. … If your dog normally seems okay with being away from you but cries out at night, he or she may be reacting to noises that he or she can hear in the house or outside.

Why does my dog wake up in the middle of the night barking?

Dogs bark in the middle of the night because they hear sounds that excite or alert them. … – your dog may bark for a while at night as he gets used to the new sounds. Once dogs get accustomed to the noises around them, they usually quiet down and sleep well at night.

Why is my puppy whining at 3am?

Why do dogs cry at 3am? Dogs who sleep alone at night and have a tendency to cry are often expressing concern about being separated from the rest of their pack. This is both normal and natural when a dog comes to a new home, particularly if the dog slept with humans or other dogs in his or her previous situation.

What time should my puppy wake up?

“People think 5:30 am is the middle of the night. But puppies and children tend to naturally wake up around 5:30.

How often should 8 week old puppy sleep at night?

Keep to a regular routine of taking your puppy outside at least every two-to-four hours and after every change of activity.

Should I wake my puppy up to pee?

You should wake your puppy up to pee at night! Once a puppy reaches 4-6 months old, they will have almost a full-sized bladder and are able to hold in their urine for longer. With proper potty training, you and your dog might get through the night without wet incidents.

How often should I take my 8 week old puppy out at night?

Certainly far less than during the day! A puppy at 8 weeks old should be able to last between 4 and 5 hours, varying from puppy to puppy. So this does mean you’ll have to wake and take them outside at least once during the night.

Do dogs sleep better in the dark?

Keep Their Sleeping Area Quiet and Dark: Mammals have circadian rhythms that are influenced by light15, so it’s easier for your dog to sleep at night if it’s dark or dim. It’s also easier for them to sleep if they aren’t being interrupted by excessive noise.

How do you train your dog to wake you up in the morning?

Lure your dog repeatedly until they are reliably following your hand and treat up onto the bed. Next, add in a cue word such as “bed”, “sleep” or “wake”. Say the command before you show them the treat and then lure your dog up on the bed. Remember to treat and praise once they’ve climbed or jumped up.

Why does my puppy wake up at 5am?

Your Dog Has a Health Issue The puppy might have some kind of concerning health issue that’s causing him to wake up earlier than intended. It could be a urinary tract infection, a digestion problem, or something else that’s bothering the puppy enough to wake him up.

Should you cover a dog crate with a blanket?

You should never completely cover your dog’s crate as it can block airflow. Keep blankets away from heat sources, ensure the fabric is breathable, and avoid using knit blankets that may snag or unravel. Monitor the conditions inside the crate in humid summer weather to ensure it doesn’t get too hot.

Is the first night with a new puppy the worst?

FIRST NIGHT WITH PUPPY It must be quite a scary time. On this first night, be prepared for very little sleep and a little bit of heartbreak as the puppy will probably feel lonely and there will almost definitely be whining. And some of it might even be from you!

Is the first week with a puppy the hardest?

The first month of owning a puppy is probably the hardest, and knowing what to expect and help you to decide whether you are ready, and let you know what you are in for! … Too many people think it’s going to be a breeze and give away their puppies because they can’t handle them.