Dogs can sleep in the dark mainly because they have been living with humans for ages and have now adapted to human sleep patterns. Although dogs sleep longer than humans, about 12–16 hours a day, this proves that dogs do not necessarily need darkness to sleep.
One concern about leaving lights on is disrupting the dogs sleeping pattern. Wolves are the ancestors of the domesticated dog, which were of course nocturnal. This means that lights shouldn't stop your dog from being able to sleep, but it might be an idea to consider leaving some of the house in darkness for them.
We recommend at least having them in your bedroom with you in the beginning in either a dog bed or crate. Having your puppy in your bedroom with you will make them feel more reassured. Then, you can gradually move them to where you would like them to sleep permanently.
Just like us, dogs usually sleep at night, in the dark. They don't need a light on in most cases. So, it may not be necessary to leave a light on for your dog when you're home and in bed sleeping. Your dog knows the routine and will settle down to sleep.
But there's no need to leave every single light in your home on just for your dog. In fact, darkness at the right time can be good for dogs. According to the Sleep Foundation, dogs, like humans, have circadian rhythms that are influenced by light. It's easier for them to sleep if it's dark, or at least dim.
Prolonged solitary confinement is indisputably catastrophic to your dog's well-being. Your dog is NOT a toy that you can put away whenever you are done or want out of sight. Don't get a dog just to confine him for long periods.
Ignoring them at night won't help them build confidence and may make them worse which isn't what anyone wants. They need to be taught how to be independent slowly. We would never recommend ignoring your puppy when they cry at night, especially in their first few nights.
According to the American Kennel Club, puppies younger than 10 weeks cannot be left alone for more than an hour. From 3-6 months, they should not be left longer than their age in months (for example, 3-month-old puppies cannot be alone for longer than 3 hours).
What time should the puppy go to bed? Going to bed one hour after meals and an evening potty walk is advisable. Specific times don't matter; you have to build a schedule to suit you. Although tiny puppies can't sleep as long as humans, after 16 weeks, you can train your puppy to go to bed and get up with you.
Keep your dog on a lead
Dogs can see better in the dark than humans, but the dark could change your dog's behaviour. Objects dogs see as normal in the daylight, may look scary in the dark. For example, someone wearing all black clothing may frighten your dog in the dark, so, it's important to keep your dog on a lead.
Another built-in plus when it comes to housebreaking is our puppy's digestive tract, which is extremely quick and efficient. Five to 30 minutes after the puppy eats, she'll want to defecate. So with a consistent eating schedule, and your attention to the clock, your puppy can maintain regular trips outside.
Puppies typically learn to sleep through the night by the time they're about sixteen weeks of age. However, puppy owners can expedite the process by employing some tried-and-true dog training techniques, such as crate training.
They could be bored, or they may not be getting enough social interaction, physical activity or mental stimulation, which may make them act out. These problems are often lumped in with puppy separation anxiety but can be addressed with more exercise.
Dogs are a naturally social species and it's normal for them to stay close to their social group which is why they can become anxious when left alone. When a puppy is first separated from their mother and litter mates, their usual response will be to whine, whimper or bark while trying to get back to them.
A lot of puppies can sleep through the whole night after two weeks of training. But there are some puppies that it will take a little bit longer. As a general rule, you can expect your pup to sleep through the night after 2-8 weeks of training.
If your puppy is 5 months old for example, then they will be needing 25 minutes of puppy exercise at a time, and up to two to three times daily. Continue following this guide depending on how many months old your puppy is until they reach adulthood (12-18 months old).
Unlike the crate where you can't leave a young puppy for long periods; the puppy will be fine in the playpen and you can go out for longer periods. Just make sure your dog is ready before you leave for a long period so the puppy does not feel left alone form the start and associate that with the playpen itself.
Dogs often start to really appreciate the crate as a place that they know they can go to if they need some alone time. You can leave the door open if your dog is not in it, and it may well be that over time he will seek out his crate to nap or just wind down if he is over-stimulated.
Some puppies do well with their entire crate covered, while others need at least the door of their crate uncovered so they don't feel isolated or too confined. Be aware of the airflow in your puppy's crate if using a blanket — you don't want them waking up because they're too hot.