How to Get Your Dog to Sleep

Is your puppy or adult dog refusing to sleep and whining all night? Before settling your dog for bedtime, ensure you’ve established a suitable sleep routine and environment. Also, be mindful of any changes or health issues your dog may be experiencing. By paying attention to these factors, you can help your dog enjoy a restful night.

Create the ideal sleep environment. If your puppy won’t sleep, try giving them a warm blanket. Place a ticking clock next to the dog. You can also softly turn on a radio or use a white noise machine to help the puppy rest. Furthermore, consider placing a heated pad under one side of the dog’s crate to warm up a corner when the dog curls up.

• Since the heated pad is placed outside and under the crate, you don’t need to worry about the puppy chewing the cord or the pad itself.

Training Your Dog to Sleep in a Crate. If you want your dog to sleep in a crate, you’ll need to invest time in training them to get used to it. Start by teaching your dog that the crate is a comfortable and safe place to sleep. Place a few special treats at the back of the crate to encourage your dog. Use a cheerful tone when saying "crate" or "kennel" in front of your dog, so they associate the crate with a positive experience, not punishment.

• If you use the crate as a form of punishment, your dog will never learn to view it as a peaceful and cozy space.

Take Your Dog for Exercise. Dogs won’t settle down at night if they haven’t had enough physical activity during the day. Depending on the breed, age, and activity level of your dog, you can exercise them for anywhere from 30 minutes to 3 hours (or even more if possible). Exercise can be done at any time during the day based on your schedule. However, avoid intense exercise 1 or 2 hours before bedtime to help your dog relax and fall asleep more easily.

• Consider introducing new sports or activities like NoseWork, Rally, Agility challenges, Tracking, or Flyball. These activities not only help develop new skills for both you and your dog but also provide mental and physical stimulation, which can lead to a more active, engaged dog, reduce boredom, and strengthen your bond.

Establish an Evening Routine. Make sure to let your dog out for a bathroom break before bedtime. Feed them dinner at least a few hours before sleeping, giving them enough time to digest and relieve themselves. Keeping your dog calm and comfortable before sleep will help them settle into sleep more easily.

• If your dog is very anxious, consider using Adaptil, a product that replicates the calming pheromone from a mother dog, which helps reduce anxiety and make it easier to soothe your dog.

Give Your Dog Time to Adjust. Any change in your dog’s sleep routine will require some time for adjustment. Make sure your dog gets plenty of exercise to help tire them out, making it easier for them to sleep. Consult your veterinarian when using antihistamine medications like Benadryl to help your dog settle during the transition phase of adjusting to a new sleep routine.

Be mindful of the factors causing sleep disruption. In fact, there are many other reasons that can make dogs feel uneasy while they sleep. Are you preparing for a trip or moving around? Do you have guests in the house? Have you got new neighbors? Is the noise level too high? It’s important to remember that dogs struggle to adapt to changes. Even a minor change (like rearranging furniture) can be a major issue for them.

• Some dogs are more anxious than others, so patience and understanding are key when making changes that suit your dog's needs.

Check if your dog is unwell. If your dog is no longer as quiet and obedient as before, it’s important to figure out if something might be wrong. Consult with a vet about any unexpected behavioral changes, like shifts in their attitude toward food, lack of energy, over-excitement, or mobility problems.

• Pain or needing to relieve themselves during the night can also cause whining and restlessness in dogs.

Help your new puppy adjust to your home. Dogs can take a few days (or nights) to get used to a new house and routine. It’s important to train your dog with good habits from the start so they can understand the rules of the day and settle down to sleep peacefully in their new home. Feed your puppy at the same time every evening, then take them out for a bathroom break 15-20 minutes later.

• Place the puppy's crate next to your bed to keep them close to you. This way, they can let you know if they need to go out during the night.

• If you notice that your dog doesn’t want to go outside to relieve themselves and continues to whine in their crate, avoid taking them out to prevent developing bad habits. However, if the dog becomes quiet and then starts whining, leash them and take them out. It’s likely they need to go to the bathroom and woke up to avoid soiling the crate.
• If your puppy whines when returned to the crate, simply ignore it. They will stop whining and fall asleep after a few minutes.
• Ensure the bedroom is dark and quiet.
• If you're training your dog to sleep in a crate, you can feed them inside the crate to help them build a positive association with it. You can also give them Kong Toys during meals to stimulate their mind. Stuffing food into a Kong Toy can help extend mealtime as well.
• Try offering your dog a chew toy to relax, such as a Nylabone or Kong chew toy.
• Make sure to take your dog outside in the morning, afternoon, and evening when there are no external threats.
• Let your dog onto your bed (or a place where you’re comfortable with dog hair) and gently stroke their favorite spots to help them relax.
• If your dog or puppy is sleeping on the bed or couch, you can lie next to them.
• You could try using a heartbeat-simulating pillow, such as the Conair Sound Therapy pillow from Bed Bath and Beyond, to help your puppy feel as if someone is nearby. This is especially effective for puppies around 3 months old, but consult with your vet before using sound pillows with your puppy.
• Singing lullabies to your dog can help them become familiar with certain sounds over time.