MAKING IT THROUGH THE FIRST NIGHT

The first night will no doubt be the toughest. While the puppy has had dog houses or a crate to sleep in at the kennel he has always done so in a pile with his siblings. Just like human babies it will be best to keep him close so put a crate in your master bedroom. We understand that most families get a dog as a way to teach children responsibility however it is the adults job to ensure that the puppy grows into well rounded member of the family. The first few weeks should be a time to teach the puppy how to act at night and this is not a job for a child. Partly because it is too much responsibility and partly because the puppy will look to the leader of the pack for guidance not a child.

An hour before bed pick up the water.

Then thirty minutes before bed make sure all of your pre bed time routine is done first. Then ready the puppy by making sure he has gone potty and giving him good play session. Then go inside and cuddle with him a bit, holding him still so he begins to calm down. Now gently place the puppy inside the crate as you did at nap time only this time close the door. He does not have to be asleep but this will help teach him that now is quiet time. There should be a cow hoof already inside the crate. We like hooves for night crates because they are good for teething but not super high value so a puppy is likely to only chew on it if he is teething or really bored not just because it smells good. The first night especially I would avoid knuckle bones and pig ears because they are quite fatty and could cause loose stool during this high stress time.

The puppy may cry and whine so its best to turn off all the lights right as you put him in the crate and go straight to bed. If he continues after a minute follow these steps stoping at whatever step he quiets down with:

1. Offer a gentle shhh shhh … then give him a minute.
2. Give him a stern “NO” … then give him a minute
3. Hit the top of the crate and repeat the stern “NO” …then give him a second
4. Lift the crate about an inch and drop it and repeat the “NO”

It is important that the puppy not be taken out of the crate for whining but this is also the reason that it is VERY important the make sure he has gone potty and had some exercise before bed. You don’t want to be punishing him if he is trying to tell you that his needs are not met.

If in a few hours the puppy starts to cry go ahead and take him outside as he likely needs to go potty, do not ever play with him through the night. After he has gone potty carry him back in and put him back in his crate.

This is only to help you get though the first night and is not a substitute for good quality crate training which can be found by clicking here Crate Training or off of the link on our main Puppy Owners page