Why Does My Puppy Cry at Night? Causes and Fixes
Puppies cry at night because they are alone for the first time, need a toilet break, or feel unsafe in a new place. Take your puppy out first, keep the crate near your bed, and offer calm, low-key comfort. Most puppies settle over several days to a few weeks, though it varies.
The first nights are often the hardest for new owners. Crying is normal, and it does not mean you are doing something wrong. This guide explains the common causes, gives a bedtime routine to follow, and shows when crying needs a vet. If you are still setting up, our crate training guide and first week schedule pair well with this page.
Why do puppies cry at night?
Until now, your puppy has slept in a pile of littermates next to its mother. Waking up alone in the dark can be a real shock. Veterinarians at the UK charity PDSA note that this is how puppies feel safe, so crying at night is understandable.
- Loneliness: your puppy misses its littermates and mother, and you are not close by.
- A full bladder: young puppies usually cannot last through the night, and waking up to go often leads to crying.
- An unfamiliar place: new sounds, smells, and a bed that feels too open or exposed can make a puppy feel vulnerable.
- Discomfort: a bed that is too cold, too warm, or without a soft place to lie can keep a puppy awake.
- Too much energy or being overtired: a puppy that has not had enough play and rest during the day may find it hard to settle. See how much exercise a puppy needs.
How can you help your puppy sleep through the night?
A steady routine and a calm response matter more than any single trick.
- Follow the same bedtime routine
After the evening meal, take your puppy out to the toilet, allow a short, calm play session, then go out again for a last toilet break just before bed.
- Make the bed warm and cozy
Use a soft, washable bed in a draft-free spot. A bed that is too open can make a puppy feel exposed, so a crate or a sheltered corner often works better.
- Keep your puppy close for the first nights
Place the crate near your bed so your puppy can hear and smell you. If your puppy struggles to settle, sleeping in the same room helps build confidence.
- Offer something safe to chew
A safe chew toy can calm a puppy. Only leave toys that cannot be chewed apart and swallowed. Soft, bulky toys can be comforting, but check that they hold up to chewing.
- Check the basics when your puppy cries
First take your puppy to the toilet spot, since many young puppies cannot hold their bladder all night. Then check that it is not too hot or cold.
- Keep night-time contact calm and short
Use few words, no play, and no big cuddles. Settle your puppy back in its bed and let it know you are there. Quiet contact helps your puppy relax without learning that crying brings playtime.
- Build independence slowly
As your puppy settles, move the bed a little farther away over several days. Go at a pace your puppy can handle, and step back a stage if crying returns.
Should you ignore a puppy crying at night?
Not in the first nights. PDSA vets advise against leaving a puppy to cry it out, because a puppy that goes quiet is not always calm, and this can make it more anxious about being alone. Check for a toilet need first, then offer calm reassurance.
The balance is to respond to real needs without rewarding the crying with play or attention. The UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine advises that once a puppy’s needs are met, you should not open the crate door while it is whining, but only when it is quiet. If your puppy cries constantly, the crate time may be too long, so go back to a shorter stretch that it tolerates.
How long will a puppy cry at night?
It differs for every puppy. A puppy that has never slept alone may whine for the first few nights, and a veterinarian quoted by the pet care site Kinship says this often fades within about five nights. Others take a few weeks. Steady routines, enough exercise in the day, and a bed close to you usually shorten the adjustment.
What should you avoid when your puppy cries?
- Do not punish or shout. Your puppy is distressed, not misbehaving.
- Do not play at night. Late-night games teach your puppy that crying starts a party.
- Do not assume your puppy is fine just because it goes quiet. Check toilet needs and comfort first.
- Do not use the crate as punishment. The crate must stay a safe, positive place.
- Do not move too fast. Sudden changes, such as putting the bed in another room on night two, often set progress back.
When should you call your vet?
Contact your vet if your puppy cries constantly in the day as well as at night, refuses food, has vomiting or diarrhea, seems unusually tired or in pain, or panics to the point of hurting itself. Crying that does not improve after several weeks of gentle routine can also point to anxiety or a health problem that needs a professional’s help.
Frequently asked questions
During the day your puppy has people around and can nap and play. At night it may wake to find itself alone in the dark, which can be frightening. A toilet need can also wake a young puppy.
Some owners choose this, but a young puppy can fall off the bed or have an accident, and the habit can be hard to change later. A crate or pen right next to your bed gives closeness with fewer downsides.
Many young puppies need at least one night-time trip at first. The number of trips drops as your puppy grows and its bladder control improves. Your vet can advise what is reasonable for your puppy’s age.
Yes, especially in the first nights or when crate training is new. Go slowly, make the crate a comfortable place, and check that your puppy does not need the toilet. Persistent distress is a reason to ask your vet for help.
Related guides
- How to crate train a puppy: step-by-step guide
- Puppy potty training: schedule by age and steps
- First week with a new puppy: day-by-day schedule
This guide has not yet been reviewed by a veterinarian.