The first few nights with a new puppy can be exhausting. You've done everything right, and still — the moment the lights go out — the crying starts. The good news: it's completely normal, it's temporary, and there's a lot you can do to help your puppy feel safe and settle faster.
Why puppies cry at night
Your puppy has just left the only world they've ever known — their mum, their littermates, the warmth of the pile. Suddenly they're alone in a strange, quiet house. Crying is how they call for the comfort and security they've lost. It isn't stubbornness or bad behaviour; it's a frightened baby asking not to be alone. Understanding that makes the first week much easier to handle.
A calm bedtime routine that works
- Tire them out (gently) before bed. A little play and a sniff-based activity in the evening helps them wind down. Avoid wild games right before sleep.
- Last toilet trip, then straight to bed. Keep it boring and quiet — no play — so they learn night-time is for sleeping.
- Keep them close at first. A crate or bed in your room for the first week or two reassures them they're not alone. You can gradually move it out later.
- Make the bed feel like a den. Puppies feel safest enclosed. A calming bed with raised sides or a covered crate gives them walls to nestle into, much like the puppy pile they miss.
- Add warmth and a heartbeat. A warm (not hot) covered heat pack and a soft blanket that smells like home mimic the comfort of littermates.
- Use a calming signal. A calming diffuser releases a dog-safe reassurance signal similar to the one a mother dog naturally gives — it can take the edge off those first unsettled nights.
What not to do
- Don't rush in every whimper — but don't ignore genuine distress either. If the crying is escalating, a calm, quiet check (or a toilet trip) is fine. The goal is reassurance, not playtime.
- Don't punish crying. It only adds fear to an already frightened puppy.
- Don't expect perfection. Most puppies settle within one to two weeks as they learn the new house is safe.
When to check with your vet
Persistent crying paired with not eating, lethargy, vomiting or diarrhoea is worth a vet call — it can signal something beyond settling-in nerves. Trust your instincts.
It gets easier — fast
Those first broken nights feel endless, but they pass quickly. A cosy, den-like bed, a familiar-smelling blanket, and a calm routine will have most puppies sleeping through within a couple of weeks. If you'd like a hand putting together a calm setup for your new arrival, take a look at our Calm & Anxiety Relief range or get in touch — we're happy to help.
General information only, not veterinary advice.