Puppys First Night: Establishing a Bedtime Routine

The first night with your new puppy can be a whirlwind experience, but establishing a bedtime routine is crucial for a smooth transition. Puppies need a consistent sleep schedule to help them adjust to their new environment.

Puppies typically sleep for 18-20 hours in a 24-hour period, so they're already inclined to sleep a lot. This means you can start introducing a bedtime routine as early as the first night.

A calm and quiet environment is essential for your puppy's first night. The article notes that a room with minimal noise and distractions is ideal for helping your puppy wind down.

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Preparation is key to a smooth first night with your puppy. Run around in the yard with your puppy, play with him, and have friends come over to visit him to keep him busy and tired by bedtime.

Having everything you need for a potty trip set up and readily accessible before bed is essential. This includes having a leash, flashlight, and poo pickup bags nearby.

Avoid giving your puppy food or water for 3 hours before bedtime to prevent a rough night. This is especially important if your puppy has a medical issue that requires frequent eating.

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It's essential to hydrate and eat before bedtime to ensure your puppy has a full stomach and a water bowl that's not too empty. This will help minimize the need for late-night potty breaks.

A substantial meal or snack before bedtime can encourage your puppy to sleep through the night without waking up for water.

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Your dog's crate is its comfort zone, a haven it can retreat to and feel at ease. It's essential to set it up with a cushiony base for your pup to sleep on, a blanket, and if you want to go lavish, add a pillow.

Keep in mind the current weather situation when adding layers to the crate. If your puppy is struggling with behavioral issues, hold off on putting soft bedding in their crate until those issues are sorted out.

Foam-based mattresses tend to get hotter, so if you have summers, add a light layer that provides comfort but doesn't raise the temperature. The whole point of setting up a crate is to make things comfortable for a sound snooze.

Make sure the crate retains all the safety measures, especially ensuring that any provisions are non-toxic.

The last-chance potty break is a crucial part of a puppy's bedtime routine. Take your puppy out for a bathroom break as late as possible, ideally, the last person to bed should also take your pup to their potty spot.

This helps empty them out, decreasing the chance of them needing to go in the middle of the night. Keep this last potty break calm and boring, you don't want your sleepy puppy finding their second wind!

Feed your puppy too late in the evening and they may need to go #2 in the middle of the night. However, feeding them too early can make them restless at bedtime. Use food puzzles with small "snack-sized" portions of food as their pre-bedtime enrichment.

If your puppy is waking up continually during the night because they need to urinate, speak with your veterinarian to rule out medical reasons.

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Start with a crate that provides a "den-like" space for your puppy to feel secure and relaxed.

Using a crate cover can help block out excess light and noise, making it easier for your puppy to fall asleep. A properly fitted crate cover is less likely to get pulled through and eaten.

Dogs can be picky about their bedding, so try out different options to see what your puppy prefers. Some puppies like fluffy towels or blankets, while others prefer a crate pad and blanket. If your puppy is prone to shredding or eating blankets, choose chew-proof bedding.

Make sure your puppy's bedding is comfortable and suitable for their age and size. For young puppies, look for a bed or mat that's waterproof or easily washable, and also chew-proof.

Puppies can't hold their bladder for too long, so it's essential to schedule meals and water intake in a way that leaves a 2-hour gap between the last intake and sleep time. This allows them to empty their bladder and bowel before dozing off.

A 2-month-old puppy, for example, will have to pee after 2 hours. This means you should plan their water intake accordingly to avoid midnight potty breaks.

Not letting your puppy eat or drink anything substantial once bedtime approaches can minimize the need for late-night potty breaks, making nighttime crate training more manageable. This approach encourages your puppy to adapt to a regular feeding schedule.

If you can help your puppy avoid food and water before bedtime, you'll help decrease nighttime potty breaks and foster healthy eating and drinking habits.

Your puppy's bedding can make all the difference in their sleep quality. Some puppies prefer lots of fluffy towels or blankets to nestle in, while others seem to prefer cold, hard floors.

You'll want to pay attention to your puppy's preferences and adjust their bedding as needed to help them sleep longer. If your puppy is too warm or too cold, they may wake up and start whining.

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Choose chew-proof bedding to keep your puppy safe if they're prone to shredding or eating blankets or towels. For young puppies, look for a bed or mat that's waterproof, or at least easily washable, and also chew-proof.

The bedding options I recommend are durable, comfortable, washable, or waterproof, making them a good fit to cozy up the bottom of your puppy's crate. I even use the PetFusion blanket for myself sometimes when my pups feel like sharing it with me – it's that cozy!

Using a crate cover can help block out excess light and noise, making it easier for your puppy to fall asleep. This is because melatonin, a hormone that regulates sleep, is affected by the amount and duration of light in the environment.

A crate cover can be especially helpful on long days when the sun rises early and sets late. Turning off the lights in the room, including phone, tablet, and TV screens, can also contribute to a sleep-conducive environment.

If you have a wire crate, consider adding a cover that fits snugly to block out light and noise. A properly fitted crate cover is less likely to get pulled through and eaten.

Using towels, sheets, or blankets to cover the crate is not recommended, as they can be pulled through and eaten, and may not provide the best airflow.

Soothing scents can play a significant role in creating a comfortable sleep environment for your puppy.

Using dog-appeasing pheromones, also called DAP, can help your puppy feel secure and calm. These pheromones mimic the scents their mother emits during nursing.

Pheromones work for many puppies, but not all. But there's no downside to trying it out with your pup.

The Adaptil pheromone diffuser covers a large space and lasts for 30 days before needing a refill. You might even try a spritz from an Adaptil spray on bedding shortly before placing your puppy in their crate.

Just one or two spritzes are all you need. Make sure the diffuser is plugged in outside of your puppy's area so they don't decide to make it a chew toy.

You can help your puppy settle down for the night with calming activities. Repetitive actions like licking, chewing, and sniffing are self-soothing for puppies, and you can use things like snuffle mats, licking mats, and scatter feeding to encourage these behaviors.

Using a snuffle mat or scatter feeding can be a great way to work your puppy's nose and provide mental stimulation. You can also try freezing their meal in a Toppl to make it last longer or spreading a bit of wet food or peanut butter on a licking mat for a soothing lick session.

Calming sounds can also help your puppy wind down. Playing mellow music, such as classical or soft rock, can be effective, or you can try using a fan for white noise or a sound machine.

Licking, chewing, and sniffing are part of what I call the "Calming Trifecta", helping your puppy settle and get more relaxed prior to bedtime.

You can use snuffle mats to work your puppy's nose indoors, or scatter their food in the grass for them to sniff out. Freeze their meal in a Toppl to make it last longer, or use a licking mat smeared with peanut butter or wet food for a good lick session.

A snuffle mat is a great way to provide a soothing enrichment activity, and you can also spread a bit of your dog's wet food, peanut butter, pureed pumpkin, or low-fat Greek yogurt on it.

Playing calming sounds can also help your puppy wind down before bed. Mellow music, like classical, soft rock, or reggae, can be a great way to create a relaxing atmosphere.

If music is too distracting, try using a fan for white noise or a sound machine, like the SNOOZ white noise machine, which can be set with an app and adjusted to block out city noise.

Evening exercise is a great way to calm your puppy down before bed. Spend 10-20 minutes playing with your pup, either outside or inside, a couple of times during the evening.

This will tire them out and give them some much-needed physical exercise. Playing a game of tug or getting them interested in chasing a flirt pole is a great way to get them moving.

A tired puppy is a happy puppy, and this will also help them "clear the pipes" before bedtime. This means they'll be less likely to have accidents or get restless at night.

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Consistency is key when establishing a routine for your puppy's first night. It's essential to keep your puppy on a consistent routine.

A predictable routine helps establish habits in your puppy's brain, making the training process more effective. Consistency also helps prevent accidents and reduces stress for both you and your puppy.

To maintain consistency, set a regular sleep schedule for your puppy, and stick to it every day. You can also set an alarm to remind you to take your puppy out during the night, especially for the first few months.

Consistency is key when establishing a routine for your puppy. It helps instill habits and establishes a predictable routine that needs to be followed every day, every time without any deterioration.

You'll want to set a consistent sleep schedule for your puppy, as it can take time for them to adjust to nighttime crate training. Some puppies take to their crates after only days, while others require weeks or months of sustained nighttime crate training.

To maintain consistency, you'll need to stick to your routine even on weekends or days off. Consistency can only be observed in a routine when you keep your patience, especially when dealing with hiccups and piddling accidents.

Setting an alarm during the night to let your puppy use the bathroom is crucial for the first few months. This is especially true for young puppies that need to use the toilet at least once during the night.

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Crying is a natural response to stress, and it's actually beneficial for your mental health.

It's normal to cry for 15 minutes or less, and it can help you release tension and feel better.

Research shows that crying can also improve your mood and reduce stress levels.

In fact, studies have found that crying can increase the production of oxytocin, a hormone that promotes feelings of calmness and relaxation.

This can be especially helpful for people who struggle with anxiety or depression, as it can help them feel more centered and grounded.

For example, a study on emotional expression found that people who cried for a short period of time experienced reduced symptoms of anxiety and depression.

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A crate serves as a secure den for your puppy, providing a safe space for them to retreat if feeling overwhelmed or anxious.

Crate training can help prevent accidents at night by keeping your puppy from wandering off unsupervised. Leaving them out at night would be like leaving a baby out of their crib.

Here are some key tips to keep in mind:

Consistency is key to successful crate training, so make sure to establish a predictable routine for your puppy.

As a new puppy owner, you're probably eager to ensure a smooth first night for both you and your furry friend. To help you achieve this, let's break down the essential steps to effortlessly train your puppy for their first night.

Make sure your puppy is exhausted by bedtime with a good amount of exercise during the day, making them more likely to sleep for longer stretches and reducing the need for the toilet.

A good night's sleep is crucial for a puppy's development, and establishing a routine from the start will set you both up for success.

To minimize the chance of accidents, give your puppy more frequent toilet breaks at night, especially during the first few weeks while they develop a routine.

Setting regular alarms to take your puppy out can work wonders, and it's essential to avoid playing with them just before bedtime to prevent excitement and reduce the likelihood of sleep.

A crate can be a game-changer for nighttime potty training, as dogs naturally avoid soiling their sleeping area. This instinct can be harnessed to aid in potty training.

Here's a summary of the 5 key steps to effortlessly train your puppy for their first night: