Puppies could be one of the cutest creatures on the planet.
No matter how difficult you are, resisting yourself in front of their innocent eyes, tiny feet, or cuddles when they welcome you home after a tiring work day is impossible.
As for newly adopted fur babies, they tend to be even more dependent on being with you the entire time at home, including when you go to the bathroom and go to bed!
Gradually, are you bored with “puppy won’t sleep unless next to me” and want to find ways to make your 4-legged friend a little more independent?
That’s why we’re here! This article, in addition to specifically pointing out the causes of puppy dependence, also offers a collection of measures to provide a private sleep space for both of you!
Why My Puppy Won’t Sleep Unless Next To Me
There are many reasons why a puppy insists on sleeping next to you at night, mainly from a positive or negative psychological state or simply their habit.
Please scroll down to discover the most common causes of why a puppy won’t sleep alone below, and let us know in which case your furry friend is stuck!
Bad Habit
The cause of your pet swaddling in your bed may come from your tolerance for your pet! If you’ve picked up your dog and slept with him for a few nights in the past, it has formed such a bad habit that the puppy can’t sleep alone anymore.
Do a quick test: Observe the reaction and put your dog on its bed.
When the furry friend lets out sad groans, howls, jumps out of bed, and hangs around at your bed’s foot, it’s saying, “Please, I can’t sleep without you”!
Separation Anxiety
When you’re trying to sleep, your dog’s bad behavior in the middle of the night is a sign of separation anxiety. The most common symptoms include:
- Urinate or defecate
- Sad whining, howling, sudden barking
- Stirring many times, trying to snuggle up with you
- Chewing on things, even things that aren’t toys
- Trying to get out of its bed to look for you, scratch the door, ask to jump on your bed
Punishing the dogs will only make their anxiety issues worse. Instead, taking your little friend to a behaviorist or veterinarian for a treatment plan is the wisest choice.
Love For The Owner
Dogs are social animals, so they cannot feel comfortable if forced to be alone.
Since birth, any dog can easily make friends, integrate with family members, and even have a larger circle of friends than you think.
Since the day your furry friend left the flock and entered your world, it has been invisible to you as a relative of its own.
Instinct drives it to wrap around you like a shadow, even sleeping next to you as it used to snuggle with its mother and siblings.
How To Get Dogs To Sleep Alone At Night?
Training your dog for dependent sleep is as difficult as teaching a 4-year-old to fall asleep alone. Therefore, never succumb to its innocence and carry it to bed, or all your efforts will be in vain.
Once you’ve decided, it’s time to choose the most suitable method for independence training your four-legged friend!
Crate Training
Crate nap training is one of the most effective ways to teach your dog obedience and good behaviors (e.g., potty training, sleeping alone).
Crating a puppy at night makes it feel safe and returns your private sleep.
First, you must choose a cozy crate with lots of open space for ventilation. After the dog gets used to the crate, throw the toy inside and combine feeding/drinking inside.
Turn the crate into a great living space by filling it with blankets and toys. Take a few minutes each day to let your dog get used to being in the crate, then move the crate into your room.
You need to regularly open the crate door to take the puppy out for a toilet break (every 3 to 4 hours) and praise each time the dog goes into the cage.
Once the dog is used to sleeping in the crate, move its crate about 1-2 meters each week toward the final destination.
Sleep Training
What to do if my puppy won’t sleep and frequently wakes up in the middle of the night when it has to sleep alone? So, some sleep training is not a bad idea.
You can apply this method to puppies four months old and older as this age allows them to sleep through the night. With proper training, even younger dogs can achieve this goal.
Sleep training methods that you should combine include:
- Create a habit: Because of the dog’s ability to form a daily routine, you can easily develop a sleep routine at an appropriate time. Release them outside to defecate within a certain time frame, then return them to their beds.
- Turn off the lights when it’s time to sleep: Teach your dog that the lights off mean it’s bedtime.
- Avoid playing before bedtime: Playing outdoors is so interesting that the puppy wants to continue until really tired. As a result, not playing for long enough (less than half an hour) can leave puppies unsatisfied, leading to their whining and finding their way outside.
Be Consistent
Whatever training plan you choose, during this process, never let your dog sleep in your bed one night, then leave him alone the next night.
Not only will it confuse your dog about where to sleep, but it will also have a high chance of keeping them up all night.
Tire Your Puppy Out
As we said above, an energetic dog cannot fall into a deep sleep easily.
If your dog wants to have fun (glamorous eyes, loud barking, tail wagging, running around, nose puffing), try burning off this energy by tiring it out!
Take your friend outside for a walk, run around the backyard, or go to the park.
Exciting time makes puppies happy, increases their affection, and makes them fall asleep so quickly that they forget the worries of being alone.
Find Something to Replace Yourself
If your furry friend is always whining and needs bedtime cuddles, find a substitute for yourself.
Just as children often hug teddy bears when they go to bed, puppies will also feel more secure if they lie with a friend with your familiar scent.
Some suggestions that you can consider:
- Hot water bottle combined with clothes wrapped around: The warmth and scent of the owner will bring a sense of security, like lying with the owner.
- A ticking clock combined with wrapped clothes: Many dogs fall asleep easily with this combination because they think the clock’s ticking is like the owner’s heartbeat.
- An old sock: Just an old sock is enough to comfort a dog’s spirit and make it fall asleep faster.
- Everything in your bed: If you’ve ever used a little teddy bear in your bed at night to comfort your puppy, try putting it in your dog’s lap. Your little smelly cotton friend will give your dog security and familiarity.
Find A Friend For Your Puppy
Many owners worry that adopting an extra dog will double the frustrations of training their pet to sleep independently.
It is, of course, well-founded. But if they become good friends, they will reduce their anxiety and become more attached, even during bedtime.
Find A Behavioral Specialist Or A Vet
If your hairy friend’s condition is still not improving after trying the above methods, you should seek the help of more experienced people.
Take your dog to an animal behavior specialist or veterinarian for a diagnosis and a mental treatment plan.
Consider Some Separation Anxiety Medication
Some natural treatments (like anti-anxiety chews) are perfect for calming your puppy before sleep.
Thanks to its health-friendly ingredients (like melatonin, CBD, chamomile, and valerian root), wait 30 minutes, and your hairy friend will drift off into a good dream.
If you want a stronger approach, try anti-anxiety medications for dogs. Some of the most common medications prescribed by many veterinarians include:
- Xanax
- Prozac
- Benadryl
- Trazodone
Note: It is best only to take anxiety medications as prescribed by your doctor and strictly follow the dosage rules.
Overdose not only does not bring any benefit but even endangers the health of your little friend.
Some Last Words
Living with a puppy as if becoming a reluctant parent to a cute toddler can sometimes frustrate you due to its bad sleeping habits.
Therefore, teaching your dog a routine and discipline from an early age will help him become more independent and obedient.
This article provides the top causes of “puppy won’t sleep unless next to me” and dozens of the most effective training methods. Good luck with your dog’s independent sleep training!
