Nothing beats the thrill of taking home a cute little dog. But, there's a lot to learn, and one of the first things you'll want to do is look into ways to keep your puppy from whimpering at night. It may sound sad, but it's very common. There are various reasons why your dog might be whining at night, but they all result in you getting restless sleep.
Here are some great alternatives that could offer calm to your house after the lights go out to help ensure your dog settles in and starts sleeping sooner rather than later.
1. Determine the Source of Your Dog's Whining
If you can figure out what's causing your dog's whining, you'll have a greater chance of picking the proper method and solving the problem. Anxiety, discomfort, and attention-seeking are the three most common reasons for a dog's whining, so pay attention to your dog's signals. Also, remembering how they react to you when moaning will help you get started.
2. Do A Few Basic Checks Before Bed
Ensure your dog isn't whining because they are hungry, thirsty, or need to urinate late at night. Make it a habit to let your dog out at night since they should be able to sleep through the night once they've outgrown their puppy stage. If you must let them out at night, do it with as little attention to your dog as possible, as if you play with or pet them, they may begin to wake you up in the middle of the night for attention.
3. Address Separation Anxiety in Dogs
Separation anxiety in dogs causes a lot of canine whining, so if your dog sleeps apart from you and becomes vocal the moment you leave them alone, separation anxiety could be the cause. To help with separation anxiety, you'll need to utilize desensitization training and a lot of patience, as it can take a long time to respond positively. You will also need an anxiety blanket for dogs, which can be reassuring and beneficial to an anxious dog.
4. Offer Comfort Rather Than Attention
If you try to console your canine partner every night, you'll never be able to stop your puppy from whimpering at night. So, instead of cuddling and reassurance, you can begin by allowing your dog to sleep in a crate, pen, or the best small-breed dog beds in your room, where they will know you are nearby. Then, you can gradually relocate the box out of your room and towards the spot where you want it to finally rest, as long as they get used to resting in their bed, undisturbed.
5. Make Certain Your Dog Is Exhausted
Try exercising your dog an hour before bedtime to burn off some of their excess energy if your dog feels restless at night, fails to settle down, and then starts whining at you. Of course, many dogs will immediately lie down on their bed to sleep after a walk, but if going out after dark isn't your thing, try an intense game of tag or fetch in the garden or house.
6. Use Sounds to Calm Your Dog
A ticking clock in the dog's bedding can help soothe a dog by simulating another dog's regular heartbeat. That is very good for dogs who don't like to be left alone and puppies who may be missing their mother or siblings. Just make sure your dog isn't able to reach the clock and chew on it.
7. Stick to a Routine
Attempting to ensure that your puppy sleeps in the same spot and at the same time every day is a terrific way to prevent your puppy from crying at night. If you can, keep all of the curtains, doors, and windows open or closed from the start, rather than switching things up, to ensure no dramatic changes in the illumination or sounds they may hear.
8. Ascertain That Your Dog Is Pain-Free
Your dog could be waking up and whining because of pain or discomfort. For example, dogs may not detect joint pain until they lie down at night. If you suspect anything is wrong with your dog, schedule an appointment with your veterinarian as soon as possible.
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