How do I get my 6 month old puppy to go to bed when I do?

Question

I have a six month old Beagle and I can’t seem to get her to sleep at night. She has been fine up until the last week or so. She sleeps in my bed and I keep the door closed but recently she has just been crying to get out. I walk/run her every night before we go to bed to try to ware her out. I am not home with her during the day but I play with her a lot when I get home. She has bones and toys to play with on the floor in my room but all she wants to do is get out – she cries and scratches at the door for like 2 hours. I go to bed at 9:30 and she stays up until midnight. She also wakes me up at 4am to eat in the morning. Help!!!!

Answer 1

You will probably have to put her in the bathroom or in a crate if you want her to learn to sleep at night. As far as she is concerned, getting in bed with you signals play time. I hate to say it, but you are going to have to learn to ignore her pleas for play and food. As long as she's had plenty to eat before bed there isn't any reason she needs to eat at 4am. If you ignore her she will eventually figure out that her cries won't work and she will be better off going to sleep and staying asleep. Puppies are so much like babies. I had to go through the same thing with my puppy.

Answer 2

Now that your puppy is getting older, the puppy may have a lot of energy, and may not be tired when you go to bed. You said you walk/run before bed, and that is very good. But maybe she needs more?

I'd suggest trying to tire her out more. Maybe walk her at lunch, or have someone come and do it for you. Or take her to a doggie daycare place once a week. Even one day a week can make a big difference in energy level.

And you might consider a crate for your dog at night to keep her from scratching the door. My dog loves her crate and doesn't make a sound -- unless it's a bathroom emergency!

Answer 3

If she pees in her sleep, this should be investigated. However if she wakes up and pees at the end of the cage, its because she cannot hold on. When you take her out for her last pee, do you know that she actually has a pee?. I think that you should leave the cage door open at night and leave newspapers on the floor. You can encourage her to pee on this by soaking it in the urine that she passes outside. Perhaps you are not using the correct solution when you wash her bedding. Obviously you cannot smell it after it has been washed, however dogs have a greater sense of smell than we have. If she can still smell urine on her bedding she will think that this is her toilet area. Try using a biological washing machine powder and avoid using bleach or pine disinfectant on her bedding as this encourages a dog to pee in the wrong place. If she is peeing in her sleep you will need to take her to the vets together with a urine sample..

Answer 4

Exercise. Play ball or bike ride, rollerblade, run or go for a long walk with her just before nightfall. She'll tire and rest mode is sure to kick in. And don't feed her too late in the evening. She's less likely to need a potty break till morning.

Answer 5

When my new puppy was keeping me up at nights, I got one of those plastic kennel/dog carriers and turned it into a cozy little bed for her. I filled it with a fluffy blanket and a small dog pillow for her to nestle into. I also threw in a stuffed animal for her to cuddle with. I kept it right by my bed so she could see me. She whined a bit at first but she eventually figured out what "let's go to bed" means.

Answer 6

you may want to start a bednight routine with her, just like babies need. it worked on my puppy. also, when you are home, try putting her in your room alone. if she starts crying, say "NO" and wait till she stops. when she stops let her out and praise her with playtime or a walk, not just a treat. you may also want to buy a crate. some people think crates are mean, but if the puppy is only in there at night, it is okay. just put a blanket or small rug in there to make it comfortable. try to teach her that when she is in the crate, it is quiet time.

i found links that may help too.GOOD LUCK!
http://www.wikihow.com/Train-or-Help-a-Puppy-Stop-Crying-when-Locked-up-or-Outside
http://www.gundogsonline.com/Article/Dog-Stop-Crying-At-Night-Page1.htm

Answer 7

When you go to bed, put him in a crate. ( You might want to purchase one ) Then tell her to stay, ( Hopefully she knows that one by now ) and then go up to bed. If this does not work for you then, I wish you good luck!!

You might also want to purchase some training books or tapes to watch, they could really help you out here!

Answer 8

Just be patient with her. In time she will learn, and when she does, she will do everything she can to please you. Just be kind and patient with her. Puppies can be a strain for a while, but because of what they give us during their lives, it is all worth it. Dogs are pure love on four feet.

Answer 9

kennel train her