If your new puppy is crying at night and you're reading this bleary-eyed at 2am, take heart: this is one of the most normal, most temporary problems there is. A puppy who cries at night isn't being naughty or manipulative. They've just left their mum and littermates, and for the first time in their life they're sleeping completely alone in a strange place. The crying is them asking, quite reasonably, "is anyone there?" The good news is that with a calm, consistent routine, almost every puppy learns to settle within a week or two. Here's how to get there kindly.
Why puppies cry at night
Understanding the "why" makes the fix obvious. Puppies usually cry at night for one (or more) of these reasons:
- Loneliness, they're used to a warm pile of siblings and suddenly there's silence.
- A full bladder, tiny puppies genuinely can't last all night without a wee.
- Hunger or thirst, though this fades as they grow.
- A strange, cold or too-big sleeping space that doesn't feel safe.
- Too much stimulation just before bed, leaving them unable to switch off.
Once you know which of these is driving it, you can sort most of the crying without ever having to "train" it out.
Set up a den that feels safe
Puppies settle best in a cosy, enclosed spot rather than a vast empty room. A crate with a soft bed and a blanket over most of it makes a lovely den. Pop in that blanket or toy that smells of mum and the litter, it's remarkably reassuring. Keep the space warm and draught-free, and near enough that your puppy can sense you're around.
Most trainers, myself included, strongly recommend having your puppy sleep in your bedroom for the first week or two. The Blue Cross guidance on getting your puppy to sleep through the night makes the same point: being able to hear and smell you dramatically reduces the crying, and you can gradually move them to their permanent spot once they're confident. Leaving a brand-new puppy to "cry it out" alone downstairs is both harder on everyone and slower.
A calm bedtime routine
A predictable wind-down tells your puppy's body it's time to sleep. Try this rhythm each night:
- A little gentle play or a short potter earlier in the evening to use up energy.
- Last meal well before bed, then remove the water bowl an hour or so before lights-out (offer a few sips if it's warm).
- A final toilet trip to the garden, calm and boring, straight before bed.
- Settle them in their den with minimal fuss. No big goodbyes.
Keep the whole thing low-key. Excited cuddles and games right before bed leave a puppy too wired to sleep.
Worth knowing: A young puppy usually needs at least one toilet trip in the night. If the crying sounds urgent and it's been a few hours, take them out to their spot on the lead, let them go, then straight back to bed with no play or chatter. They quickly learn that night wees are strictly business, not party time.
Responding without rewarding the drama
Here's the balance that trips people up. You want to reassure a genuinely distressed puppy, but you don't want to teach them that a good long wail summons a fun midnight visit. The trick is to keep your responses calm and boring. If you need to check on them or take them to the toilet, do it quietly, no eye-contact games, no treats, no play. Once they've been out and you're sure they're comfortable, resettle them and let them drift off. Over a few nights the crying shrinks as they learn that nothing exciting happens and that you always come back.
When crying might be something more
Most night crying settles within a couple of weeks. If it doesn't, or if the distress seems extreme even during the day when you pop out of the room, it's worth looking at separation-related anxiety rather than simple settling. A qualified, reward-based trainer or behaviourist (look for someone accredited through the ABTC or APBC) can help you build up alone-time gently. And if your puppy seems genuinely unwell rather than just unsettled, a quick word with your vet never hurts.
Frequently asked questions
How long will my puppy cry at night?
Usually just a few nights to a couple of weeks. With a cosy den, a calm bedtime routine and you sleeping nearby at first, most puppies settle quickly and are sleeping through within a fortnight.
Should I ignore my puppy crying at night?
Don't ignore it completely, a new puppy may genuinely need the toilet or reassurance. Instead, respond calmly and briefly without turning it into playtime, so you comfort them without rewarding the noise.
Where should a new puppy sleep at night?
In a cosy crate or bed in your bedroom to start with, so they can sense you're near. Once they're settled and confident, you can gradually move them to their permanent sleeping spot.
Why does my puppy cry as soon as I leave the room?
Puppies are pack animals and being alone feels unsafe at first. Build up short absences gradually in the daytime so being on their own becomes normal and unremarkable, which helps the nights too.
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