First night with new puppy

Safety first

To sleep well, a puppy has to feel safe. In their early life, a pup’s mum, littermates and familiar environment helped them feel safe. Which means, now they’re gone, you have to make an extra effort to help your puppy feel safe, secure and - as a result - sleepy. First on your list: don’t leave little pup alone in this new world.

If your puppy starts crying when they’re meant to be sleeping, the golden rule is just to be there for them. That's how they learn that communication with you works and that they can count on you, just like they used to count on mum.

Your presence work miracles

The best way to reassure your pup is by spending lots of time together. Their sleeping place should be as close to you as possible so they can smell you and hear your reassuring breathing.

So how do you actually do this? Choose a spot in your bedroom and place a cardboard box or basket for your pup . If your bedroom floor is hard to clean, put a piece of linoleum down first. This method also makes it easier to house-train your pup for night time. Read why below!

What if my dog has to pee?

Most puppies aren't physically able to get through the night without going for a pee. A toilet visit just before bedtime is therefore a first step in the right direction! If you hear your pup squeak or kick around after a few hours, you know it's time for a pee break. Accompany them quietly to his toilet. All done? Then you guys can go back to sleep.

Hopefully, after just a few days, your home will become a familiar environment for your new puppy, which means you can start to let them sleep alone. But remember: every puppy is unique. While one might sleep without any problems after a few nights, another pup might need a couple of weeks to fully adjust.

Bonus tips?

Feeling hot and cold

Make sure it’s not too warm or too cold for your dog to sleep – and remember this will vary by breed. For example, a hairy Berner Senner pup will need a different temperature to a hairless Chinese Crested one.

Setting a routine

Create an evening routine – maybe some time in the garden, a cuddle on the sofa, a night-time snack and a last toilet visit before bed.

Extra snack

If your puppy isn’t sleeping through the night, could they be hungry? Try giving them an extra snack before bed. After all, dogs and humans aren’t that different really.