Puppies will often whimper and cry, especially in the early days. Vocalising is one of the main ways they will attempt to communicate their needs with you, their new owner. Sometimes those needs will be very obvious. For example, crying near to feeding time because they are hungry. Other times it might be harder to work out what they are trying to say. Having a puppy who cries constantly for no obvious reason can be both worrying and sometimes frustrating. It can be helpful to look for clues. And run through a mental checklist of what they might need in order to guide your response and quickly calm their crying.

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A common time that puppies cry is overnight. 

This can be one of the most challenging aspects of puppyhood. And if persistent can lead to frustration and tiredness all round. Older advice often encouraged owners to ignore crying at night, unless specifically for toilet purposes, as it was thought that this would stop the crying more quickly. Puppies cry at night for a number of reasons. But a frequent cause in young puppies is that they are lonely and need comfort. Newly separated from their mothers, they miss the warmth and security she and their littermates provided. Dogs are pack animals and sleeping alone can be a scary prospect. Ignoring a puppy’s cries might stop the crying. But it does nothing to alleviate their anxiety and is more likely to produce a fearful and anxious adult dog. 

Particularly in the early days, consider having the puppy sleep close to you. This is so they can see, smell and hear you. Feeling secure will make them less likely to cry for attention. Give them a safe bed or crate that they can cuddle into, with bedding that smells familiar. A well-wrapped hot water bottle will help keep them warm. Some people like to use white noise machines or toys that simulate the noise of a dog’s heartbeat to help comfort them. As puppies get more confident, you can start to slowly move their bed to the position that you want it longer term. 

Toilet training is another big part of puppy parenthood. 

As an owner, you want to teach your puppy to go to the toilet in specific places. For this to work puppies have to be able to communicate the fact that they need to go. Being tuned to this communication will mean fewer accidents and quicker training. This is a reason for crying that you definitely want to respond to promptly! Ensuring regular toilet trips, especially after meals, first thing in the morning and last thing at night will reduce the need for them to vocalise.

Sometimes puppies might cry due to boredom or lack of stimulation. 

It can definitely help to keep them close by when you are busy around the house during the day. Ensure that you make time for plenty of short but stimulating play sessions using different activities to keep them interested. Food puzzles can be useful to keep them busy and will also extend feeding time so they feel less hungry. Regular, varied exercise is important but remember not to over-exercise growing joints and bones. 

If your puppy is crying more than usual, consider whether they could be in pain or unwell. 

A sick or injured puppy will often show other signs such as a reluctance to move around or play, vomiting, lethargy or coughing. Puppies can become unwell very quickly and if you are in any doubt about why they are crying then contact your veterinary surgeon urgently. 

Remember, although it can be frustrating when a puppy is crying constantly, they are trying to communicate with you in the only way they are able.

Never shout or get angry with a crying puppy. If you find yourself getting annoyed, it is better to take yourself away from the situation, ensuring the puppy is in a safe place, and give yourself time to calm down before dealing with them. Avoid leaving young puppies to “cry it out”. You are teaching them that their needs will be ignored which can prolong things like toilet training and cause behaviour problems as they grow. Your local veterinary practice is a great source of advice for all things puppy. Make sure you get your new puppy registered with a local practice as soon as possible, and the staff will be very happy to help you with any problem or concerns you might have.

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