Q: My adult daughter is struggling with sleep deprivation because her new 4-month-old puppy won't let her sleep through the night. Any tips?
A: Ah, the new puppy snoozing blues. It afflicts almost every dog parent, whether the dog is a puppy or an adult. The good news is that most dogs can learn to sleep by themselves.
The first step is to get the pup used to going in and out of a crate. That might not be a problem, but if it is, the couple should spend some time playing with him inside it, offering treats and maybe even feeding him in there.
The crate shouldn't be overly large at this stage. He needs to be able to stand and turn around in it, but crates that are too big will increase the sense of loneliness he's feeling without his crate-mates. Place the crate in the bedroom for the first few nights so that the dog will be able to see that his humans are nearby. (It will also help them know when the dog needs a late-night potty break. Puppy bladders are too small to go an entire night without a pit stop.)
Make the crate comfy with soft bedding and some favorite toys. Coax him inside at bedtime and close the door. Then, let the whining begin.
This is where the couple need to harden their hearts. They can't respond to the whimpering and whining, or the dog will quickly learn that it's a good way to get attention. They have to let him cry without offering words of comfort or scolding, no matter how much their patience is tested.
He eventually will learn that this is his sleeping spot, and that calls in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom will be answered, but not cries to be cuddled in the bed.
If they want to let the dog sleep with them, they'll need to accept that the dog might wake them or crowd them, but many people do find comfort in letting their dogs sleep with them.
