New puppy basics
How to stop a puppy crying at night?
Last updated 23 September 2026 · How we write and check this
Short answer
Keep the crate close to you for the first week or two, take the puppy out for a final toilet trip right before bed, and avoid making a big fuss when you settle it for the night. Brief, low key reassurance is fine, but jumping up at every whimper usually extends the crying rather than shortening it.
Set the puppy up to succeed before bed
A puppy that has had a final toilet break, a calm 20 minutes to wind down, and a comfortable, appropriately sized crate is far less likely to cry than one put to bed straight from an exciting play session with a full bladder.
Respond calmly, not instantly
Brief crying in the first few nights is common and often settles within a minute or two on its own. If it continues, a quiet, low voice reassurance without opening the crate or turning on lights usually helps more than picking the puppy up, which can teach that crying gets immediate release.
Key takeaways
- A calm pre bed routine with a final toilet trip reduces night crying.
- Brief crying in the first nights is common and often settles on its own within minutes.
- Quiet reassurance without opening the crate tends to work better than immediately picking the puppy up.