How to Make Your Dog Sleep Through the Night

Let’s face it—being woken up at 3 AM by a dog nose to the face isn’t exactly the sleep you dreamed of when you brought your furry friend home.

Whether you’ve got a restless puppy, an anxious adult, or a senior dog who’s just “vibing” at odd hours, getting your dog to sleep through the night can feel like solving a mystery. Spoiler: it’s usually not ghosts. Usually.

Here’s how to get your pup snoring peacefully so you can too—without needing coffee strong enough to melt steel by morning.

1. Drain That Energy Bank Before Bedtime

Yes, your dog needs a bedtime routine too. No, watching Netflix together doesn’t count.

Dogs—especially puppies or high-energy breeds (we see you, Labs)—won’t sleep well if they haven’t burned off their zoomies.

What to do:

• Evening walk? Non-negotiable.
• Play fetch, tug, or scent games for 15–30 minutes after dinner.
• Add 5–10 minutes of training to tire their brain out too.

FYI: A tired dog isn’t “more tired” the next day. They’re just less annoying at night.

2. Stick to a Consistent Schedule

If you’re all over the place, your dog will be too.

Dogs are creatures of habit. They learn when it’s food time, potty time, and yes—bedtime.

Create a daily routine that includes:

• Set mealtimes
• Regular bathroom breaks
• Wind-down cues (more on that in a sec)

Don’t suddenly expect your dog to chill at 10 PM if they’ve been snoozing all afternoon and chasing shadows at 9.

Pro tip: Routine = calm dog. Random chaos = “Why are we barking at 2 AM again?”

3. No Midnight Snacks or Late Dinners

Unless you like hearing the sound of pacing paws and stomach gurgles at 1:47 AM

Feeding your dog too late can lead to restless sleep, full bladders, or worse… poop at midnight.

Try this instead:

• Feed dinner 3–4 hours before bedtime
• Last potty break? Right before bed. No exceptions.
• No water bowl access after a certain time if your dog has a habit of overnight accidents (talk to your vet about this first)

IMO: Nothing kills a good night’s sleep like stepping in a mystery puddle at 5 AM.

4. Create a Cozy Sleep Zone

Aka: Make their bed feel like a sleepy-time paradise

Would you sleep on the floor next to a noisy hallway with no blankets? Exactly.

Give your dog:

• A comfortable bed or crate with soft bedding
• A quiet, dark space away from distractions
• White noise or calming music (seriously, it works)

Bonus: A crate can give dogs a “den-like” feeling, which helps them feel secure—but only if you’ve crate trained properly (no jail cell vibes, please).

5. Don’t Encourage Nighttime Shenanigans

If you pet them at 3 AM, congratulations—you’ve just rewarded them for waking you up

What not to do:

• Don’t start a cuddle session when they bark or whine.
• Don’t play with them or give treats when they wander at night.
• Don’t immediately leap out of bed unless it’s an emergency (or puke… always check for puke).

What to do instead:

• Calmly guide them back to their bed or crate.
• Use a cue like “bedtime” or “go to bed” consistently.
• Ignore mild fussing if they’re safe and fine. They’ll get the memo.

Yes, it’s hard. But if you give in, you’re signing up for this forever. Good luck with that.

6. Use Calming Aids (if Needed, Not Just Because You’re Desperate)

Sometimes, your dog needs a little help winding down—don’t we all?

For anxious or hyper pups, natural calming aids can be a game-changer.

Options include:

• Calming chews with melatonin, chamomile, or L-theanine
• Adaptil diffusers (dog-appeasing pheromones)
• CBD for dogs (talk to your vet first, obviously)
• Weighted blankets or anxiety wraps

Reminder: Supplements aren’t magic—they support good habits. They’re not going to fix a dog who naps for 12 hours and decides 3 AM is party time.

7. Puppies? You’re Gonna Have to Ride It Out (But You Can Speed Things Up)

Because baby bladders and baby brains are a combo straight from the sleep-deprivation gods

If you’ve got a puppy under 4 months, they probably can’t hold it all night yet. Sorry. You’ll need to do:

• A last potty break at bedtime
• Possibly a midnight pee break (set an alarm, beat the whining)
• Gradually extend the time between night breaks as they grow

But good news: If you stick to a routine and reinforce calm, sleepy vibes, they’ll start sleeping through the night sooner than you think.

Just don’t give in to 4 AM playtime. That’s the path of darkness. Literally.

Final Zzz: Good Sleep Starts With You

If your dog’s up all night, odds are you’re either over-expecting, under-exercising, or accidentally rewarding it. But the good news? Fixing it is doable.

Stick to a routine, keep things calm, manage food/potty timing, and don’t give in to night-time drama.

Sooner or later, your pup will be snoozing like a champion—and you’ll finally stop waking up with a paw in your face. 🎉

David

I’ve spent 10+ years in dog training, digging into what makes dogs (and their humans) tick. At Smart Dog Learning, I share my no-nonsense, fun approach to training so you can enjoy life with a well-behaved, happy pup—no boring lectures, just practical results 😉

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