How to Get Your Puppy To Sleep in Its Own Bed

Co-authored by Melissa Nelson, DVM, PhD

Last Updated: February 17, 2022 References

Puppies are not used to sleeping alone. Since they were born, they've most likely been snoozing alongside their mother and other pups from their litter. It can be traumatic for them to learn to sleep on their own in their own beds. The best way to keep them safe and in their own bed is to have them spend their first nights at your house in a crate that physically limits their movement and helps with potty training. If you take the time to create a comfortable sleeping set-up for your puppy and to patiently train them, your new pet will soon learn to love settling down for a good night's rest.^{[1]
X
Research source}

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Getting Your Puppy Used to Their Bed with Crate Training

1
Get a crate of an appropriate size. Your puppy should be able to stand up, lay down, and turn around in their crate. It's best not to give puppies extra space because they're liable to do their business in one corner of the crate instead of asking to go outside.^{[2]
X
Research source}
- Crates often range in size from 18" x 12" x 14" for small breeds all the way up to 48" x 30" x 33" for large or giant breeds. For maximum convenience, get a crate that's the right size for your full-grown dog and insert a temporary physical divider into it to create a smaller space for your puppy. Move the divider back as your puppy grows.
- Both crates and dividers are available at most pet stores.
2
Get your puppy to go into the crate on their own. Before you train your puppy to sleep in their crate, it's important to familiarize them with it and establish it as a positive place. Introduce your young pet to their new crate by putting it in a social space, like your living room, with the door open. Drop treats and/or toys into the crate to encourage your dog to explore inside it.^{[3]
X
Trustworthy Source
Animal Humane Society
Leading animal welfare nonprofit organization providing medical care, training education, and resources for animal owners
Go to source}
- You want your puppy to think that going inside the crate is their idea, so don't force them in it. Let them explore it at their own pace while you praise them in a happy voice.
Advertisement
3
Feed your puppy meals in their crate. The fastest way to get your dog used to their crate is to relocate their meals to inside of it. Feeding them in their crate helps establish it as a safe, happy place.^{[4]
X
Research source}
- If your puppy is wary of going into the crate at first, start by feeding them just outside the crate. Then, put their dish right by the door so that they're eating with their head inside the crate. Keep moving the food bowl further and further back with each mealtime until their entire body is inside.
- Once your dog is comfortable feeding in the crate, close the door while they eat and let them out immediately afterwards.
- Then, gradually extend the time they are in the crate with the door closed after eating from a few minutes to a quarter of an hour. This will help them become comfortable with being confined in their crate.
4
Play crate games with them. Playing crate games teaches your puppy to stay in their crate while associating staying in it with positive rewards. Start by leading your pet inside their crate and closing the door without latching it. Have a handful of treats in one hand and hold the door with the other.^{[5]
X
Research source}
- Now, open the door with one hand while feeding your dog treats through the side of the crate with the other. If they stay in their crate, they get the treats. If they try to run out, quickly close the door before they can and start again.
- Once they have this routine down, it's a good thing to do each morning when you're letting them out of the crate since it rewards them for staying in the crate during the night and teaches them to wait for your command to leave the crate.
- Playing this crate game will give your dog positive associations with their crate.
- It will also teach your pup that they have choices. Their good behavior and decisions will result in a reward while their bad behavior and decisions will lead to restrictions.
5
Never put your puppy in a crate as a punishment. If you want your puppy to sleep well in their own bed, you need them to associate their crate with rewards and relaxation. Confining them to their crate as a disciplinary measure will only reinforce their fear and suspicion of it.^{[6]
X
Research source}
- Since young puppies cannot control their bladder yet, you should not leave the puppy in the crate for more than three or four hours at a time.^{[7]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  The Humane Society of the United States
  National organization devoted to the promotion of animal welfare
  Go to source}

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Getting Your Dog to Sleep in Their Crate

1
Position the crate near to you at first. Since your puppy is bound to feel a lot of separation anxiety at first, it's a good idea to put their latched crate inside your bedroom or just outside the door for the first few nights.^{[8]
X
Research source}
- It's tempting to put them far away from you where you won't hear their whining, but this will only make the transition harder for your puppy. They're far more likely to settle down if they're somewhere where they can see you.
- You can gradually move your puppy's crate further away if you prefer them to sleep elsewhere in the house. However, it's a good idea to keep your puppy within earshot until you know that they can make it through the night without having to go to the bathroom.
2
Ignore their pre-sleep whining. It's very likely that your puppy will whine when you first close the door of their crate. They might continue for a long time while you try to go to sleep. Even though they're impossible to tune out, it's important that you do not respond to their cries.^{[9]
X
Research source}
- If you respond to their cries, you are teaching them that whining behavior will get them what they want. This can lead to serious issues down the road, not just with their sleeping.
- Do not punish your puppy for whining. If you scold your puppy, you are still teaching them that whining will get a response from you. You do not want to give them any response.
- Puppies learn from consistency. Resist any urges to “make exceptions” for one night. Wear ear plugs, close the door, or turn on white noise to help you ignore the puppy.
3
Respond to cries to be let out. No dog likes to pee where they sleep, and puppies have very small bladders. If your puppy starts suddenly whining in the middle of the night, they likely have to be let out for a bathroom break.^{[10]
X
Research source}
- Take your puppy out for a 3-4 minute walk and then put them back in their crate and close the door.
- Puppies are generally not able to “hold it” through a full night until they reach four or more months of age.

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Ensuring Your Puppy Is Ready for a Good Night's Sleep

1
Wear your puppy out. Your pet is much more likely to fall asleep without complaint if they have had sufficient exercise during the day. Taking them out for a good evening walk will help them settle down later.^{[11]
X
Research source}
- Avoid, however, revving your puppy up with energetic play (like fetch or tug) immediately before bed. Give them a half hour to wind down before you bring them to their crate.
2
Take your puppy out right before bed. Puppies need to go to the bathroom a lot, so it's important to be sure that they've urinated and defecated before you tuck them in at night.^{[12]
X
Research source}
- Keep in mind that puppies are easily distracted when you take them outdoors and may well forget to do their business. Accompany them to be sure that they have before you let them back in.
3
Give them a cushy surface to sleep on. This could be a dog bed or a pad, a blanket or old comforter. Just be sure that it's comfortable and appropriate bedding for the weather.^{[13]
X
Research source}
- For instance, it's probably not a good idea to drown your puppy in wooly fleece if it's in the middle of the summer.
4
Put a hot water bottle in their bed. Sometimes putting a hot water bottle in their crate can be a comfort to young pups. Besides keeping them warm, it approximates the feel of having another body to sleep next to.^{[14]
X
Research source}
- Be sure that the hot water bottle has a cloth covering so that it's not directly against their skin.
- Water bottles will need to be sturdy. The puppy should not be able to bite through the water bottle or tear it apart.
5
Put their favorite toys and treats in their crate. Doing so will help your puppy feel secure and give them positive associations with their bed. It also gives them something to do besides whine if they can't get to sleep or are up earlier than you.^{[15]
X
Research source}
- If your puppy is teething, be sure to put a chew toy in their crate. Playing with a chew toy can be a wonderful calming activity if your puppy is feeling anxious about sleeping alone.

Is It Bad to Let Your Puppy Sleep With You?

Warnings

If you want your puppy to sleep in their own bed, never invite them onto your bed.

⧼thumbs_response⧽
Helpful 12 Not Helpful 1
Never punish your dog for being a bad sleeper. The most effective and humane way to train your dog is through positive reinforcement, like praise and treats.

⧼thumbs_response⧽
Helpful 7 Not Helpful 1