Crying Through The First Nights

Why they cry

Your dog has likely never slept alone where they are now, and everything smells wrong. Crying is not naughtiness, it is a dog saying they feel unsafe.

It almost always fades as they learn the routine and the sounds of your home.

A kind bedtime plan

Comfort is not the enemy, drama is. Keep everything gentle and boring and most dogs settle within days to a couple of weeks.

• 1Tire them out gently in the evening, calm sniffy walks and a little puzzle play beat rough games.
• 2Take a final toilet trip just before settling.
• 3Set up their bed where they can see or hear you at first, many dogs settle fastest in the same room for the first week or two.
• 4Keep goodbyes boring. Lights low, a gentle 'night night', and out.
• 5If they cry, wait a moment to see if they resettle. For real distress, a quiet word or a calm hand beats big fuss.

Don't rush independence

It is tempting to move them to the hallway, then downstairs, then away, all in the first week. Go slowly.

A dog pushed to be alone too fast can develop a bigger problem than the crying you started with. Distance can grow as trust does.

When to worry

Crying that comes with pacing, drooling, destruction or toilet accidents whenever you leave the room can signal real distress about being alone. Mention it to your vet, and know there is no medal for suffering through, for either of you.

Read next