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Have you recently adopted a new puppy?
Let me guess; you're here because that adorable puppy makes it impossible for you to have a good night's sleep.
Well, luckily for you, we have ways how to tire a puppy out before bed.
If it makes you somewhat at ease, even for just a little bit, it's common for most puppies to struggle to fall asleep through the night, especially if it's their first few nights at their new home.
Just like human babies, puppies also need extra attention and proper management as they grow.
But with babies, you'll need to change diapers. With pups, you'll need to help with their potty breaks.
Owning a puppy will take a lot of time and patience, even if puppyhood doesn't really last as long as “babyhood.”
This blog can be your guide on tiring your puppy out before bed.
If you want that good night's rest so badly, you better scroll down!
Below, we'll also discuss reasons why your puppy can't sleep at night and where they should sleep.
Without further ado, let's get right into it!
5 Tips to Tire a Puppy Out Before Bed
There are many ways to help your pup calm down and relaxed for bedtime.
For instance, you can create a safe and relaxing crate space for your pup. Or you can also do some pre-bedtime exercise!
Well, those are just a few ideas to start.
There are still a few things that you can do to help your puppy sleep peacefully at night.
1. Creating a Comfortable Crate Space
First, create a safe and comfortable crate space for your new puppy.
Similar to us humans, a dog's sleep-wake cycles are influenced by melatonin.
Melatonin is a naturally occurring hormone released in our brains by the pineal gland at night to signal our bodies that it's time for bedtime.
It helps regulate the natural sleep cycle of both humans and animals.
Melatonin is stimulated by darkness, so its levels are extremely higher at night than during the day.
And yes, that also means melatonin levels are much higher during autumn and winter because of the shorter days.
That's why a crate cover like this is a good idea to help your dog block out light and noise to sleep longer in summer when the sun rises early and sets late.
RELATED: DIY Dog Crate Cover Without Sewing
2. Pre-Bedtime Exercise
Next, you can also do some pre-bedtime exercise with your new puppy. Schedule a 10-20 minute exercise with your pup a few times at night before going to bed.
You can physically tire them out by playing hide-and-seek or tug-of-war. You can also do some basic training while you're at it.
But I advise to exercise your dog's brain with mentally stimulating tasks. You can achieve this by providing puzzle feeders or other interactive puzzle toys.
We recommend trying the Outward Hound Hide-A-Squirrel Plush Dog Toy Puzzle. Comes with multiple plush squirrels that can be hidden inside the log and pulled out.
3. Last-Chance Potty Break
Before bed, take your pup out for a last-chance potty break as soon as possible.
If there's a nocturnal person in your house, that would be great since, ideally, the last person to go to bed should have the duty of taking the pup out for its last bathroom break.
This can help empty them, reducing the chances of them needing to go when all the people are asleep.
But in this method, you should consider your dog's mealtime.
Please don't feed your pup too late at night that they'll need another bathroom break during midnight hours.
But be careful since feeding them too early can make them hungry during bedtime. And don't forget to provide easy access to water.
It would also help to keep tabs on your puppy's bathroom break.
Create a potty log to help you determine your puppy's natural potty schedule, which will help you adjust feeding times.
4. Soothing Scents for Your Puppy
If the tips above didn't work, try using pheromone diffusers to help calm your pup.
These Dog Appeasing Pheromones, or DAP, can be bought in stores without requiring a prescription.
Pheromone works well for calming dogs. They are chemical messengers that work to calm down a stressed-out animal.
Pheromones work great for a lot of puppies, but not all.
If you're still unsure whether or not you should use this to help your pup, consult your most trusted vet and hear their advice.
And if you're interested to try one out, check out this pheromone diffuser from TriOak.
5. Play Calming Sounds
You might not know this, but playing calming music can help your pup rest and relax.
Yup! You read that right.
Calming music also helps not only humans but canines, too.
You can choose something you actually enjoy. But try to keep it mellow, like classical music, soft rock, jazz, and other soothing genres.
You can also try white noise and include some soothing scents like the ones discussed above to help your pup relax and be comforted.
But based on experience, classical music is the best calming music for my dogs.
Why Isn't Your Puppy Sleeping Through the Night?
There can be many reasons why your puppy is having trouble falling asleep through the night.
The first few weeks can be brutal.
Some pet owners have struggled to find a peaceful night since they brought a new puppy home.
A few reasons your puppy is having trouble sleeping are:
- They miss, or they were used to sleeping with their littermates and mother.
- They feel scared due to the new surroundings. They are uncertain about the environment, making them anxious and restless.
- Puppies have smaller bladders, making it hard to hold their pee or poo throughout the night.
It takes time for them to resettle into their new home. They'll need to build their confidence and comfort levels.
Fortunately,y some pups can easily adjust to new environments, while others can take weeks.
RELATED: Littermate Syndrome: Does It Ever Go Away?
Where Should Your Puppy Sleep?
If you're wondering where your puppy should sleep at night, well, it's a very personal decision or just a preference.
Some pet owners love to share their bedroom with their pups.
On the other hand, some dog owners think having a separate room or space for their puppies to sleep is important.
If you can't decide on what to pick, we recommend having them in your bedroom in the beginning in a dog bed or, much better, in a dog crate.
Then, as they slowly get used to their surroundings, slowly move them to where you want them to sleep for good.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I make my puppy tired fast?
There are many ways to tire out your active puppy, but one of the best ways is to take long walks.
You can also do basic training or learn new tricks during the day, socialize with other pups, or play their favorite games, such as hide-and-seek or tug-of-war.
Does chewing tire out a puppy?
In a way, chewing can tire a puppy because chewing requires concentration. They think about a few things when they are about to chew.
For instance, they'll think about how they will eat the item, how they will navigate around, and which side of their mouth they will use to chew.
All of these are going on inside their brains while they chew.
Why is my puppy so hyper at night?
If you've noticed that your dog is hyper or has the “zoomies” at night, it's probably because they lack exercise and mental stimulation.
If they don't burn off these energies through exercise or physical activities during the day, they may become hyperactive at night.
How to Tire a Puppy Out Before Bed: Before You Go
A good night's rest can improve your brain performance, mood, and health.
But if you just took home a new pup from the breeder, you might struggle to find calming nights since your puppy is hyperactive and loud.
Luckily, there are plenty of ways how to tire a puppy out before bed, so don't worry!
You can create a safe space for your pup. Crate training is recommended, especially at a young age.
Don't forget about their exercise! Schedule a pre-bedtime exercise to ensure that their energies have been burned off.
Other ways include a last potty break, soothing scents, and calming music.
Just like babies, puppies need our constant attention, and knowing these tricks will help you and your new bundle of fur get past those sleepless nights!
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