How to Keep a Two-Month-Old Puppy Asleep at Night

Getting your puppy to sleep through the night takes a bit more than tucking him in.
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A new puppy is a joy to own—until he starts crying at bedtime. People who have never owned a puppy may be dismayed at their new family member's unwillingness to sleep. The reality is that a two-month-old puppy is a baby and doesn't know it's time to sleep. Most puppies can't go through the night without needing to eliminate—their bladders are too small. Even though it may take a while, you can teach your puppy to sleep through the night if you are patient and consistent.


Feed your puppy three hours or more before bedtime.
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Feed your puppy at least three hours before bedtime. Don't feed him for the rest of the evening, so he will have ample time to digest his food and eliminate before bedtime.


Water is great, but not before bedtime.
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Withhold water beginning two hours before bedtime. Your puppy can't "hold it" the way adult dogs can. A full bladder means he's got to go. By limiting his water consumption at night, you can help him control the urge to urinate.


Play with your puppy so he'll sleep.
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Play with your puppy before bedtime. Let him tire out a bit so he'll sleep.


Make sure your puppy relieves himself before bedtime.
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Take your puppy out for one last chance to eliminate before going to bed. If he's comfortable, he won't whine to go out.


Your puppy will feel secure in his crate.
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Put the puppy in a crate in your bedroom. He'll feel more secure sleeping beside you and won't get into trouble while you're asleep. A crate is a safe place for your puppy and takes advantage of a dog's natural denning instinct.


At night, you must take your puppy outside to eliminate only. No playing.
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Take your puppy outside to eliminate if he whines during the night. Do not play with him because it reinforces his behavior. If he doesn't relieve himself, put him back in the crate.


It's OK to tell your puppy to be quiet.
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Tap on your puppy's crate and tell him "No whining," if he continues whining at night after eliminating.

Tips

  • Crate-train your puppy before attempting to train him to sleep through the night in a crate. Don't expect to get full night's sleep for a while. Puppies need time to learn to sleep through the night. Puppies' bladders are small and they must urinate often. Expect for the next several weeks to get up at least once during the night. Ignore crying if your puppy has eliminated and simply wants to play.

Warnings

  • Do not hit your puppy if he has an accident or if he is noisy.

Warnings

  • Do not hit your puppy if he has an accident or if he is noisy.

Tips

  • Crate-train your puppy before attempting to train him to sleep through the night in a crate.

  • Don't expect to get full night's sleep for a while. Puppies need time to learn to sleep through the night.

  • Puppies' bladders are small and they must urinate often. Expect for the next several weeks to get up at least once during the night.

  • Ignore crying if your puppy has eliminated and simply wants to play.

Items You Will Need

  • Dog crate
  • Dog bed
  • Water bowl
  • Food bowl
  • Food