If you’re battling to get your puppy to settle at night, one delighted new dog owner has revealed her winning formula after successfully training her four-month-old sable Cocker Spaniel to slumber from 8pm to 8am.
“The first few weeks felt like the sleepless nights were a forever thing, but I’m so so grateful to know she’s happy in her little bed,” the owner said of her pooch, Poppy. Emphasising she didn’t simply “let her cry it out in the crate”, Poppy’s owner went on to reveal a detailed catalogue of methods she employed that led to her newly-acquired four-legged companion sleeping for 12 hours.
“When I realised that puppies fight sleep just like toddlers, it made everything click!” she admitted. “Those crazy hours weren’t ‘just something that puppies do’ she was doing that and being so bitey because she was tired! And now I can recognise that, I put her to bed and train her to sleep better.”
Poppy’s owner continued, highlighting that keeping dogs awake later in the evening doesn’t necessarily guarantee they will rest for longer come morning. “Actually the opposite,” she explained. “I used to keep her up till 10pm thinking she’d get up later in the morning… it was only when I started putting her down at 8pm that she slept longer.”
Third on the list is “bladder training”, a technique Poppy’s owner started from an early age. “From day one, I used to take her out with me in a sling,” she recalled. “And within the second month we could easily go four hours without her needing potty which really helped with through the night bladder training.” She also recommended that your dog should refrain from drinking any water in the hour before bed – a rule that is “non-negotiable” if you want to succeed.
Poppy’s owner also emphasised the need to keep your pet’s crate covered. “She used to whine for about 15 minutes but I stayed by the side of the crate and offered my hand to the crate if she didn’t stop after 15 minutes,” she shared from her own experience. “I quickly became accustomed to her cries so I knew what was distress or just attention seeking. Of course, if she would cry through the night I would take her straight out to potty and straight back to bed.”
Creating a cosy environment within the crate is also crucial too, it seems. “Make it cosy and only big enough for a bed,” she suggested. “I’ve mentioned this before but having a large crate with water bowls and extra room in there just didn’t work for Poppy. She would mess every time. I swapped it for a smaller crate and a bed that fits perfectly and she has never messed in the crate again.”
Poppy’s owner advised against excessive cuddling with your puppy, despite the temptation. “We used to cuddle on the bed before bedtime or in the morning but wish we’d never started this because it just made her want to be with us more,” she explained. “Now we don’t have her on the bed at all and take her to the sofa for cuddles! This way we all get a good nights sleep.”
She emphasised the importance of patience with your pet’s development and concluded with some advice, acknowledging that everyone’s circumstances are different.
“Do what’s best for you!” she urged. “Growing up, our dogs always slept in the bed and just did whatever they wanted but I knew for my first pup in my first home I wanted to set a good sleeping routine.
“I’m hoping soon she will not need her crate and can just sleep in her bed on her own but this way I know she’s safe and clearly loves it.”