How to Get Puppies to Sleep Through the Night

A puppy can add energy, playfulness and excitement to your life. You may also experience sleep disturbances or need to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night from your new pet.

We reached out to Joan Hunter Mayer, who is the owner of Inquisitive Dog Training Program in Santa Barbara, California. Paul Owens, also known as "The Original Dog Whisperer" and the owner of Raise with Praise dog training programs, to help puppy owners navigate the graveyard shift.

These are their top tips to help you and your family get more sleep.

1. You should create a schedule for your dog's day that you can stick to.

According to the American Kennel Club (AKC), puppies sleep between 18 and 20 hours per day. This may seem like a lot considering how energetic puppies can be. However, most of the sleep occurs in different blocks over a 24-hour period. It is important to match your puppy's most restorative, long sleeping period with your family's sleeping routine. You must establish a consistent routine for exercise, eating, drinking, and toilet breaks.

Paul states that dogs, just like humans, like to be informed about what is expected, especially when it involves their individual needs. Young puppies must eliminate eight times per day, most often after they have eaten, slept, or played. They don't like to go where they sleep or eat.

He recommends that you give your puppy regular opportunities to go outside and reward them for doing so. A puppy will learn to be rewarded for using the bathroom outside at designated times during the day. He will also learn how to sleep through the night if he does so.

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2. Set a bedtime routine

You can provide your dog with a daily schedule, but also give it a bedtime routine to signal that it's time for bed and to prepare them for the night.

Joan states that potty training before bed is smart. A relaxing belly rub, a healthy and filling meal a few hours before bed and quality time with the owner are all good ways to let your dog know it's time for bed. It doesn't matter what the steps might be, a routine can help the dog to know what to expect.

3. Create a comfortable crate sleeping space

Keep in mind that puppies are accustomed to sleeping with their littermates, but now they have to be in a different environment. Make sure you create a calm and comfortable environment. Dogs, just like humans, need space and time to relax. Joan suggests that you give your dog some time alone to learn how to sleep peacefully away from the chaos at home.

Crates provide a safe and comfortable place for puppies to rest, especially for those who are still learning and can become overwhelmed by all the new experiences. You are encouraging your puppy to sleep well by ending his bedtime routine with a crate and a soft toy.

The crate should be large enough to allow your puppy to sleep comfortably and not so small that they can go to the toilet in it. It should be in a quiet area with minimal distractions, but not too far from your home so that the puppy feels safe. If you're not a light sleeper, the puppy crate can be kept in your bedroom. In the beginning, your puppy should be able to whimper and go outside, but you shouldn't have to stay awake listening to their breathing and grunting.

Puppies aged nine to 10 weeks need to go to the bathroom frequently and should be kept in their crate no more than 30 to 60 minutes. A puppy can be kept in their crate from 11-14 weeks of age for between 1 and 3 hours. They can stay in their crate for up to four hours by week 16 and then for six hours after 17 weeks. Dogs need patience and time to become mature enough to manage themselves. If your dog has mastered the art of sleeping through the night, the crate can be moved to another location (e.g. your living room).

Paul suggests that you train your dog to not take your dog to the bathroom in the middle of the night. Paul also advises that you leave the crate unlocked if you aren't inspired to do so. You can have a great night's rest by putting pee pads outside your crate.

4. Reward good sleeping behavior

Joan and Paul encourage positive reinforcement in training puppies to adopt desirable behavior.

But you should not try to teach your dog to go to bed. Joan says that sleep is a natural need and she wouldn't punish or reward a dog for sleeping. You can encourage the behavior that leads to sleep. Joan says that owners should train their dog to sleep in specific areas, such as a dog bed or a crate. The pup will be more successful if he or she is rewarded for visiting these areas.

5. Prepare for disruptions

Sometimes, even with the best intentions and all the training done, sleeping train a puppy can be difficult. Joan and Paul agree that if the routine is disrupted by a vacation or illness, Joan will go back to the training and provide lots of praise and encouragement for both the dog and the human.