Is this normal puppy behaviour?

Why Your Puppy Suddenly Won’t Sleep at Night (and What to Do About It)

You finally had it sorted.
Your puppy was sleeping through the night… Settling nicely in their crate…
And then suddenly — everything changed.

Now they’re:
* Waking every hour
* Crying or barking overnight
* Refusing to go into the crate
* Seeming restless, frustrated, or unsettled

If this sounds familiar, take a deep breath.
👉 This is very normal puppy behaviour.

🧠 What’s Actually Going On?
When puppies suddenly stop sleeping well, it’s rarely a “training issue.”
It’s usually a combination of:

🐾 Developmental Changes
Your puppy is growing fast — physically and mentally. Their awareness of the world is increasing, and with that comes:
* More sensitivity
* More alertness
* More difficulty switching off

💤 Overtired Puppy (The BIG One)
This is the most common cause I see in my training work.
Puppies need: 👉 18–20 hours of sleep per day
When they don’t get enough sleep, they don’t just get tired… they get:
* Restless
* Vocal
* Bitey
* Unable to settle
And often — they start waking frequently overnight.

🍽️ Feeding Schedule Mismatch
If your puppy is eating early (e.g. 5:30pm) and going to bed at 10pm:
👉 That’s a long gap for a baby puppy.
This can lead to:
* Hunger overnight
* Blood sugar dips
* Regular waking cycles

🐶 Crate Frustration (Not “Disliking” the Crate)
If your puppy is:
* Overtired
* Alert
* Feeling like they’re missing out
The crate can start to feel frustrating rather than calming.
This isn’t because the crate is “bad” — it just means we need to reset how it’s being used.

❌ Common Advice That Can Make Things Worse
You may hear suggestions like:
* “Move the crate out of the bedroom”
* “Ignore them, they’ll learn”
* “He’s trying to run the house”

Let me gently reassure you:
👉 Your puppy is not trying to take over 👉 Your puppy is not being manipulative

They are:
* A baby
* Still learning how to regulate themselves
* Relying on you for safety and structure

✅ How to Fix It (The Positive Pooch Solutions Way)
💤 1. Fix Daytime Sleep FIRST
This is the game changer.
Use a simple rhythm:
* Awake: 45–60 minutes
* Sleep: 1.5–2 hours

Repeat throughout the day.
👉 Yes — this often means enforced naps
A well-rested puppy sleeps better at night. Always.

🌙 2. Adjust the Evening Routine
* Move dinner later → around 6:30–7pm
* Add a small pre-bed snack if needed
* Keep evenings calm (no wild play before bed)

🚽 3. Handle Night Waking Correctly
If your puppy wakes:
* Take them out quietly for the toilet
* No talking, no play
* Straight back to bed
👉 Keep it boring so sleep becomes the best option again

🧠 4. Rebuild a Positive Crate Experience
* Feed meals in the crate
* Drop treats in randomly
* Use calm, positive entries
* Avoid putting puppy in when already overtired and overwhelmed

🛏️ What If You Want Your Puppy to Sleep on the Bed?
I get asked this all the time.
👉 You can absolutely do this — with the right management.
* Supervise closely
* Use proactive toilet breaks
* Keep things calm and consistent

Many families transition gradually from crate → bed successfully.

💡 The Most Important Thing to Remember
This phase feels exhausting — I know.
But it’s not permanent.
Your puppy isn’t being difficult… They’re just tired, growing, and learning how to feel safe in their world.

When you:
* Support their sleep
* Adjust their routine
* Stay calm and consistent
👉 Things usually improve very quickly.

🐾 Need Help With Your Puppy?
If your puppy is:
* Not sleeping
* Struggling in the crate
* Becoming bitey, vocal, or unsettled

You’re not alone — and you don’t have to figure it out on your own.
At Positive Pooch Solutions, I specialise in helping puppies (and their people) build calm, confident foundations from the very beginning.

📩 Get in touch today 🌐 www.positivepoochsolutions.com.au