Why Do Pug Puppies Cry and Whine at Night
Who can resist that charming, innocent face and deep wrinkles of a Pug puppy? They are merely small, cute, and compact dogs. Needless to say, these little creatures are often described as “a lot of dog in a small space.” That means they will never be on the sideline. They will always be at the center of attention, even at night when you’re trying to sleep.
When you first get your Pug puppy, they may cry and whine at night…. a lot. Are you wondering why your Pug puppies keep on crying and whining at night? Have you ever found yourself trying to sleep with the crying Pug puppy at night? Yes? Then this article is for you.
Why is Your Pug Puppy Crying?
Hearing your Pug puppy whine or cry at night is enough to break your heart. It’s very common and natural to cry or whine excessively at night when you first bring them home. They need to get used to their new surroundings.
It’s a very stressful time for a Pug puppy taken away from their mother and siblings. Pug puppies cry and whine as a natural alarm system to call out for help.
Here are Some of the Reasons Why Pug Puppies Cry and Whine at Night:
Your Pup is Missing her Pug Mom
It is best to wait until your Pug puppy is at least eight weeks old before picking her up. Puppies removed earlier from their Mom and litter may have separation anxiety issues. This can result in crying at night.
If your breeder wants to keep your puppy for 12 weeks before you pick her up, please wait. When you find the puppy, you’re going to bring home, we all want them NOW! Please wait. The breeder knows those extra few weeks is what is best for the pup. That time can reduce behavioral and mental health in the future.
Even if you bring your Pug puppy home after eight weeks, she will still miss her Pug Mom and littermates.
Can you imagine going to bed every night with Mom and all your littermates and then boom – you’re alone in a pen.
Who wouldn’t cry?
Your Pup Wants Your Attention
These little Pug puppies need a lot of attention. It’s not unusual for them to feel like you’ve abandoned them during the night when they are in their bed. Pug puppies will cry and whine when they feel this way. When you first bring your Pug puppy home, try to take some time off from work. Spend a lot of time with him during the day to try to ward off loneliness.
Also, a tired Pug puppy may sleep better at night.
Your Pup is Scared
They may feel scared, and it may take a while to settle into their new environment. You are their pack, and they may be scared that they can’t see you. Put your puppy in a crate next to your bed. Pug puppies cry and whine when scared. Having them next to your bed may help.
Loud wind, noises, or the sound of rain may also scare your puppy. Some suggest putting a windup clock under their pillow to hear the ticking. This reminds your Pug of her Pug Mom’s heartbeat. That may give your puppy some comfort.
Your Pug Puppy Needs a Potty Break
Before you take your Pug puppy to bed, be sure he has gone outside and “taken care of his business.”
However, my Pugs tend to be a little unfocused and will do everything but go to the bathroom while outside.
Once in their bed, they may realize they need to go.
Also, Pug puppies have tiny bladders. It’s not unusual for pug puppies to cry and whine to cry at 3:00 in the morning to be let out. My little Lulu did until she was about eight months old.
Once her body started to develop, she no longer needed to go out in the middle of the night.
Although we want our Pugs to “have it all,” it’s important that they have a small crate or sleeping area.
Most of the time, puppies will not pee where they sleep. Although Pug puppies cry and whine to get out in the middle of the night, it helps with potty training.
Your Pug Puppy Needs Food
Pugs are greedy eaters, and it’s usual for Pug puppies to cry and whine to let you know that it’s time for them to eat. It’s recommended to maintain a regular feeding schedule for them. Once in bed, you may start to wonder if they’re hungry or a small snack would quiet them down. Warning! Don’t do it.
Most Pugs would love a delicious snack day or night. Giving them a snack may only train them to cry more. If whining and crying once brought them a snack, why not try it again (and again)?
Your Pug Puppy Needs Water
If your Pug puppy needs fresh water, they may start whining or crying to call you out. This is quite usual if they haven’t had access to water in a few hours. Be sure your Pug puppy has a water bowl out all during the day.
Encourage a small drink before bed, but they may refuse.
Your Pup May Not Like the Sleeping Area
Your Pug puppy may start whining at night due to the layout of the room it sleeps in. The place might be uncomfortable, too hot, too cold, or too bright for him. Make sure your puppy is in a dark room around 70 degrees. Be sure he has a nice comfortable blanket or pillow to sleep on.
The truth is your Pug probably won’t be crazy about sleeping alone. However, he’ll get used to it. You may decide to let him sleep with you once he is potty-trained.
When my Mimi was almost potty-trained, I used to think she would be OK to sleep in the bed with me. Unfortunately, I spent some mornings washing sheets. Finally, I went back to putting her into her crate until she was fully potty-trained. Given a choice between peeing outside on the ground in the cold weather or in a toasty room with soft blankets, well… you know how that went.
Your Pug Puppy gets Bored at Night
Pug puppies need enough exercise and mental stimulation to stay happy and relaxed. When they do not get enough exercise, they show a lot of extra energy at night. Pug puppies cry and whine out of boredom and maybe part of its way of burning energy.
During the day, spend a lot of time with your pup and give him a lot of attention. He may be too little to walk outside on a leash, but find a favorite toy or ball while you’re watching TV at night. Play catch and give him a lot of verbal praise. I’m not sure how long it takes to wear out a Pug puppy, but at least you’ll be bonding.
Should you Ignore a Whining Pug Pup?
Dogs are pack animals, and it’s perfectly natural for a new puppy to whine when separated from his family. Little pups think that if they call for help, someone will quickly locate them.
It would help if you were careful about how you react to your Pug’s whining. Try to understand the underlying cause of your Pug puppy crying and whining. Your Pug puppy is maybe in a stage where he learns how to communicate his needs and wants. Pug puppies generally whine to get attention and food from their parents.
If you’re sure they don’t need food, water and have already gone to the bathroom, it’s best to ignore them.
Avoid unintentionally encouraging your dog to whine. Encouraging whining lead to a pup that whines excessively.
Even reaching down to pet your Pug or speaking soothing words can be an encouragement to whine more.
Try to keep them in the room with you at night. Yet, if you have to get up early the next day for work and it’s 1 a.m., you may need to place them in another room. Hopefully, this won’t be an on-going thing.
How to Train Pug Puppies Not to Cry or Whine?
Are you worried about your whining Pug pup? The good news is that you can train your puppy to whine less. If your Pug puppy is crying at night, there are many ways to calm him. The goal is to have a relaxed, self-assured puppy and can be left alone for the night.
Here are the Steps to Ease Your Little One at Night:
Make them Feel Safe
If your Pug puppy seems fearful or anxious, try to find the source of the problem. You can try to keep them in a crate. Even though your puppy might resist this idea in the beginning, but dog crates can be lifesavers.
I’m sure your puppy would rather sleep with you, but they are den animals and will adapt very quickly to a crate.
A crate offers your puppy a sense of safety and security.
Ensure that Your Pug Puppy is Getting the Proper Diet
A proper diet is essential for your little friend. The ideal food for your Pug is the one that ensures all the nutrients your dog needs for growth and development.
If you get a Pug puppy, be certain you are feeding puppy food. They have different nutritional needs than adult dogs do. Also, ask your breeder what she is feeding the pups. Then transition your puppy from her dog food to the one that you would like him to eat.
Tailor the puppy food to meet their needs.
Convey to your Pug that it’s Not a Big Deal
Don’t make your night time departure a big deal in front of your Pug puppy. Avoid saying emotional goodbyes and try to have a low-key departure and arrival.
A simple “goodnight” and in the crate or other room will do. Don’t express your guilt or sad feelings to your puppy. Puppies can be emotional sponges and soak up everything you are feeling.
Long, emotional goodnights or goodbyes can create anxiety for your pup.
Ensure that Your Puppy has an Enriched Environment
Before you leave your pup at night, you must ensure that your puppy’s needs are well taken care of. Enrich your Pug puppy’s environment by giving him plenty of toys and exercise. A Pug puppy with pent up physical or emotional energy is more likely to cry and whine.
You must make sure to take care of the following things before you leave your puppy at night:
- Feed your puppy before you leave. Pugs are greedy eaters and become satisfied when they are full.
- Provide sufficient exercise and social interaction. This will reduce their destructive behavior.
- Give your pup chew toys and other interactive toys like puzzles and kongs while you are away at night. This will distract them and keep them busy while they are alone.
- Keep dangerous things out of the reach of your Pug puppy.
Ensure that Your Puppy had Enough Exercise and Mental Stimulation
This is the most reliable and easiest way to manage your Pug puppy’s crying and whining at night. It’s important to keep their mind’s occupied when they are alone. The daily workout will potentially help him get rid of the excess energy that he has. You can meet your Pug puppy’s exercise requirements by:
- Take them out for a short walk in the evening before they go to bed.
- You can encourage your pup’s playful nature by letting him run and play in a fenced yard.
- Spend time playing brain games and doing obedience training with them.
Respond Selectively to Crying and Whining at Night
Respond selectively to your Pug puppy’s whining and crying. If you feel that there is no real need, it’s best to ignore him. Eventually, without your interaction, he will fall asleep.
Establish a Positive Reinforcement Protocol
Rewards like treats, playtime, and chew toys are the motivators for your Pug puppy. During the day, you can reward your Pug for not crying and showing some independence. “Catch him doing something right.” This is a great way to reward your Pug when he is not crying, whining, or being needy.
Never punish your Pug puppy for whining or crying as this may make a fearful or anxious pup become even more so. Punishments, yelling, and harsh behavior can lead to aggressive behavior.
Teaching Your Pug Puppy how to be Alone
Your Pug puppy must learn to be left alone. Incorporate this into your Pug’s training sessions. Talk to a good trainer about this and how to deal with separation anxiety. It will save them from crying and whining. Again, puppies taken from their Pug Mom too early may have difficulty being able to self-soothe.
Follow these simple steps to teach your Pug to stay alone for longer periods of time:
- Have your Pug stay in a small, confined area with a chew toy.
- Then quietly leave the room.
- If quiet, return immediately. Praise your Pug and perhaps give them a treat.
- Repeat and slowly increase the time you are away each time.
- Progress at a speed that suits your pup’s ability.
- If you get your Pug to a point where he is happy being left for an hour, he should be fine at night.
Give your Pug Puppy a Calming Bedtime Routine
To calm a whining Pug puppy at night, give him a consistent bedtime routine. Here are some ideas for a calming bedtime routine:
- Give them a Treat
Give your puppy a tasty treat at bedtime. It will provide him with something special to look forward to. They will associate sleep time with a yummy snack.
- Give them a Good Place to Sleep
You must provide a cozy and comfortable place for their sleeping. Make it cozy, so they feel secure and cry and whine less.
- Give them favorite toys
Pug pups can also develop an association with a special toy. Give them safe toys to feel at home. When I brought Lulu home, she loved this fried egg toy the breeder gave her. The toy had been with her and her littermates, and she played with it a long time.
- Help them Calm with a Dog Aromatherapy
Some scents can have a calming effect on your little tail-wagging pals. Spray your Pug puppy’s bed or bedtime toys with a calming blend of essential oils. It’s a great way to relax him and make him ready to sleep peacefully through the night.
Spend a little calm time with your Pug dog before going to bed. This routine can help your puppy’s anxiety and make your Pug ready for those sweet puppy dreams!
It will take time to completely rid your Pug puppy of the habit of crying and whining. The important thing is to cope with it until he feels safe and does not whine anymore.
Also, do not encourage it by responding to him in any way: positive or negative.
Final Thoughts
Please don’t worry! Remember, when you bring home a Pug puppy, you are committing to a long-term relationship. You will eventually be able to stop your Pug puppy from crying at night. Be patient and determined to make it work.
All dogs are social creatures and love companionship. Pugs are even more social than most breeds. They have been bred to be part of your family.
It is important to dedicate quality time to your little furry buddy and ensure that their needs are met. Meeting his needs will help them to become well-rounded and socially healthy dogs.
Before you know it, your puppy will be potty-trained and in the bed with you like the majority of Pug owners do.