My puppy cries during the night, what to do?

Question

I just took him home today, and he's been crying for a while now. He's in his cage. Does he miss his mother, or does he need to go out?? I don't think he wants to come out of his cage; it doesn't seem like it... What should I do for him?

Answer 1

There is absolutely nothing you can do for him. He'll have to go through a period of adjustment, then he'll quit crying.

Answer 2

I have a five month old puppy and she cried a lot during the first few weeks. Its a big adjustment to go from being with your mom and siblings to being all on your own in a strange place. Some things that might help calming your puppy are:
1. Leaving a radio on for him when you can't be there so he doesn't feel so alone
2. A ticking clock hidden in a blanket for him to lie next to. This simulates the heart beat of his mom.
3. A hot water bottle wrapped in a blanket for him to lie on. This simulates the warmth he was getting from lying near his mom and siblings.
Eventually your puppy will get used to his new environment but you will have to teach him that your house is a fun place to live and that even if you leave you will always come back. It takes a while but he'll catch on. Best of luck!

Answer 3

If you just got him he shouldn't be in his cage. Let him roam around the house, he is whining because he has probably not been in a cage much. To crate train him you have to do it little by little. He doesn't want to be alone. And at risk of sounding rude, I have no clue as to why he is in his cage if you are home, and ESPECIALLY if its his first day there! If you do wish to keep your dog in a crate at night put him in your room deffinately so he doesn't feel so alone. However don't sweet talk him to try to calm his whining that just tells him that when he whines he gets attention-not what you want. And he might need to go out if hes ate or drank in the last 2 hours and hasn't potty-ed in 3 hours, which is probably how often he will have to go. Until then you might have to go without some sleep.

best of luck though!

Answer 4

This might go on for several days until he realizes he is OK. This is separation anxiety, and is very normal. Hold him and pet him, take him out to the bathroom, play with him to help tire him out. Keep his crate right next to your bed so he knows you are there. Be prepared to lose sleep for awhile, and to get up during the night for potty breaks--this is part of caring for a puppy and there are no short cuts. It's like having a new baby--expect certain behaviors and have lots of love and patience.

Answer 5

it might be lonely. Its away from its mother and pack mates for the first time . It should like its house, its like a den , safe and warm for it . A young puppy you can wrap a clock in a towel and put it in the crate . The ticking sound may calm the puppy.

You can go and pet him for a while . He should get used to it in a few days .

Answer 6

My auntie raises corgies. She has three kennels (cages) against the wall of her bedroom. She opens the three doors and says, C'mon kiddos, time for bed! and Mom, Dad and baby each go into their cage. She shuts their doors, rewards with a tiny treat, and they sleep. It's their safe space, they like to sleep there.

In the morning, she opens the doors and says, ok guys, it's time to go out! And they all go out and do their business and come back in. People are fed, then dogs are fed, and they go outside again.

She doesn't keep them in their cages other than sleeping after they are potty-trained and done with the chewing everything up stage.

If you tell your dog it's time for bed, pop him in his kennel, reward him, he fusses and carries on, and you take him out and love him and feed him, etc. your dog is going to think fussing is rewarded by extra attention. That is NOT what you want him to learn. You want him to learn to go to bed and be quiet and sleep. Not to say his kennel can't have toys, chewys, blankets that smell like you, etc. You can even hang one of those water bottles (I wouldn't recommend it though. It can make a soggy mess).

Just hang on, give him a week or so to get used to the kennel, and if he's still acting up, you may need to reassess the situation.

TX Mom

Answer 7

There is nothing you can do aside from letting him out of his cage. He is only crying for attention. He seems like he doesn't want to come out because he is confused, but believe me - he wants out. Invest in ear plugs and a box fan. The fan noise will soothe you and the dog.

Answer 8

Try putting a large stuffed animal in the cage with him. He is probably missing his litter mates. A drink bottle filled with warm water(wrapped in a towel) is also a great way to simulate the warmth shared by litter mates.

Answer 9

He misses his mother & the litter; dogs are pack-oriented.
He'll have to accept you as the new pack-leader.
But you don't want to get into the crate with him.

For now he needs something to cuddle.
You could try a teddy-bear type of toy,
a hot water-bottle wrapped in a blanket,
or a ticking alarm-clock in a couple of socks.

Answer 10

when I got my puppy the first week. I socialized with him alot and he didn't sleep in a cage. He actually slept in my bed beside me . I guess you need to have your puppy get more familiarize with you since the poor thing is probably scared right now.

Answer 11

i have crate trained all of my dogs, and it's a much better practice than the alternative.... letting the dog roam all over the house when we can't watch it every second. of course, the majority of the time, my dog wasn't in her crate with the door shut, but she did love the crate, and went to it to take naps completely on her own after a while.

it was her "safe haven".

i think your pup is crying because she is in a strange place. perhaps getting a couple stuffed toys and putting them in there would calm her? she will get used to it.

if she starts the crying after you and her become acquainted, it's likely because she wants out and is testing to see if you will give in to her whining.

meanwhile, i have found a couple articles on crate training listed below if you are interested... take care!! i'm sure you LOVE your pup!!