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Should Puppies Sleep in the Dark? 4 Things to Consider

Kathryn Copeland

By Kathryn Copeland

dog resting in his bed at night

Bringing home a new puppy can be terribly exciting as well as a little scary. You’re busy getting to know each other, and you have to stay on top of a lot of naughty puppy behavior.

But one of the more difficult parts of puppy ownership is bedtime. You’re bound to have a lot of questions and concerns – after all, you want to continue to have a good night’s sleep and have your puppy sleep through the night as well.

So, should you let them sleep in the dark? Or should you leave a nightlight on for them? There’s not a clear yes or no answer. We’ll help answer these questions and give you some tips on how to help your puppy eventually sleep through the night.

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Should Puppies Sleep in the Dark?

This isn’t a simple answer because it’s something that depends on you and your puppy.

Puppies new to the home might need a little night light, particularly in the early days. It might give them a little comfort, particularly for puppies experiencing strong separation anxiety. Just ensure your puppy can’t get to it by knocking over a lamp or chewing on a nightlight.

But as we mentioned earlier, it will be disruptive to their sleep cycle after some time, so if you choose to use a nightlight, consider only using it for the first few weeks when they come home with you.

And remember that they can see to some degree in low light but not pitch black. They aren’t necessarily afraid of the dark but do not enjoy being separated from their owner or other dogs, especially in the early days.

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The 4 Things to Consider About Puppies Sleeping in The Dark

1. Dogs Can See in the Dark

Dogs can’t see very clearly in the dark, but they see in the dark better than we do. Our eyesight allows us to see more colors, and we have better depth perception, but dogs have better nocturnal vision.

They see better at dusk and dawn over pitch black, but the dog’s retina has more rods than ours, allowing them to see better in low light.

They also have the tapetum lucidum, which is like a mirror in their eyes that will reflect light onto the retina. This is what causes your dog’s glowing green eyes you sometimes see in certain lights.

What this all means is that puppies can see better in the dark than you likely imagined. That said, it doesn’t necessarily mean they will be okay in a pitch-dark room alone.

dog relaxing in the dark
Image By: US Media, Shutterstock

2. They’re Developing Their Circadian Rhythms

Most living things, including dogs, have a circadian rhythm,1 which are the mental, physical, and behavioral changes we go through within each 24-hour cycle.

And just like most living things, we all respond to when it’s daylight and when it’s dark. This also helps dogs to know when it’s time to sleep when it’s dark and when to wake up when it’s light.

Puppies are still developing their circadian rhythm, which is why they will wake up in the middle of the night and seem to be raring to go.

This is one reason why keeping things dark is a good idea to help puppies learn and develop their circadian rhythm.


3. Dogs Aren’t Afraid of the Dark

Technically, if a puppy seems to be afraid of the dark, it’s likely they aren’t actually afraid of the dark but are reacting to other factors.

If you have a very new puppy and they do a lot of whining and howling when the lights are out, and everyone is in bed, they are probably suffering from a form of separation anxiety.

They’ve left their mother and littermates and are in a new environment on their own with new sights, sounds, and smells. If they are in their crate for the night, this might be something else that is new.

So, they aren’t necessarily afraid of the dark but are just homesick for their family and lonely for you.

jack russel dog resting in the dark
Image By: eva_blanco, Shutterstock

4. Light Keeps Them Awake

This ties into the points we’ve already discussed. Too much light in the puppy’s sleeping area will affect their sleep cycle and might keep them awake more often than not.

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How Much Sleep Do Puppies Need?

Puppies are bundles of energy that seem to only have two speeds – full-on and asleep. Puppies actually sleep about 18 hours a day, give or take, which tells you they are only really awake for about 6 hours every day.

And most of this is in the form of napping throughout the day and eventually (and hopefully) sleeping through the night.

But don’t keep your puppy awake for long periods in the hope they will sleep through the night. This can make them overtired and cause overstimulation, which could lead to bad behavior in the future.

golden retriever puppy sleeping
Image Credit: JackieLou DL , Pixabay

How Do You Get a Puppy to Sleep Through the Night?

It will take some time, at least a few weeks, before your puppy will start to sleep through the night. You’ll need to develop a bedtime routine, which means you must stick to the same bedtime and morning schedule.

Remember to let them sleep when they are napping, and make sure everyone in your family also sticks to this rule.

Some puppies will also keep playing instead of napping when tired, so if you suspect your puppy is tired, encourage them to go to their bed (whether it’s a dog bed or crate). Puppies are typically ready for a nap after some activity, so you’ll want to schedule some parts of the day for napping. Otherwise, let them sleep after training or walks.

Plan on doing some light exercise or training a couple of hours before bed, which will help tire them out. But avoid heavy activity as you don’t want them overtired.

Beyond all this, housetraining is one of the most significant interruptions during the night. Puppies have a hard time holding their bladder, but as they mature, this will get easier, and they will be able to hold it longer.

  • Puppies can hold their bladder for about one hour per month. So, a 4-month-old puppy can typically hold their pee for 4 hours.
  • Adult dogs over the age of one can hold it for up to 8 hours, but 6 hours is recommended.
  • Senior dogs ages 8 and up can hold their bladders for 2 to 6 hours, depending on their health.

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Conclusion

There isn’t really a right or wrong answer here. You might choose to leave a nightlight on for your puppy, particularly if they are still adjusting to their new home and showing signs of separation anxiety.

But you shouldn’t make a habit of doing this because it might affect their sleep pattern. Remember the circadian rhythm and how their bodies react to light and dark. They also see well in dim light, so you really don’t need to worry about your puppy being scared of the dark. In most cases, they are just feeling a little lonely.


Featured Image: Daniel Besic, Shutterstock

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