Why Pug Puppies Cry and How to Handle It
Bringing home a Pug puppy is exciting, but it can be distressing when they start crying at night from their crate. If you’re new to dog ownership, the howling and whining may concern you. But don’t worry! With patience and determination, you can eventually stop your Pug puppy from crying in their crate. It’s essential for their growth into a well-adjusted adult dog.
Why Pugs Cry
Pugs, especially puppies, are known to be big criers. They cry when they want attention, food, or need to relieve themselves. Separation anxiety also causes them to cry when left alone, particularly at night. It’s important to address this crying habit to prevent further problems.
Health Reasons for Pug Crying
Pug puppies may cry due to health issues such as blocked tear ducts or eye allergies. Blocked tear ducts cause excessive watering and tear staining, while eye allergies can lead to watery discharge resembling tears.
Pug Puppies and Crate Crying
Crying is expected in the first month when you bring a Pug puppy home. However, crying is most common when you introduce them to their crate for sleeping at night. Skipping crate training can result in larger issues later on, so it’s crucial to crate train your Pug.
Tips to Stop Your Pug’s Crate Crying
Here are some effective steps to help you cope with your Pug’s crying and achieve peaceful nights with crate training:
1. Create a Positive and Comfortable Crate Environment
To reduce your Pug puppy’s crying at night, make their crate as comfortable and inviting as possible. Fill it with toys, warm blankets, and hidden treats. By associating the crate with positive experiences, your Pug will develop a more favorable attitude towards it. Additionally, place an item of your clothing inside the crate to alleviate separation anxiety with your familiar scent.
2. Strategically Position the Crate
The location of your Pug’s crate can greatly impact their behavior and crying habits. For young puppies, keeping the crate within sight of your room is recommended. This proximity helps ease their insecurity and loneliness. It also facilitates potty training, as you can quickly identify when they need to go outside.
3. Opt for the Right-Sized Crate
Choosing the appropriate crate size is essential for your Pug’s comfort. The crate should provide enough room for them to move around, turn, and stand up freely. Ensure they do not feel confined within it. Affordable crates can be easily found on popular online marketplaces like Amazon.
4. Attend to Toilet Needs First
If your Pug is crying in the crate, it may indicate a need to relieve themselves. Take them outside or provide a puppy pad before bedtime to empty their bladder. Puppies may require frequent bathroom breaks, so consider using puppy training pads as crate liners. Expect a few accidents initially, and remember to buy puppy pads in bulk to be prepared.
5. Tire Your Pug Out Before Bedtime
Ensuring that your Pug puppy is tired before bedtime helps reduce crate crying. Physical exercise is essential, even for small breeds like Pugs. A short walk or play session for about 20 minutes can sufficiently tire them out. For additional guidance on how to tire out your puppy, check out our helpful guide.
6. Ignore the Crying
Although it may seem harsh, sometimes you have to ignore your Pug’s crying, unless they need to go outside for a bathroom break. Responding to their cries every time reinforces the behavior and makes it challenging to break the habit. Only let them out of the crate once the crying has stopped for a few minutes.
7. Differentiating Between Attention and Toilet Cries
Differentiating between cries for attention and cries related to toilet needs can be challenging. To determine which cry is genuine, take your Pug out of the crate the first few times they cry and immediately bring them to the designated potty area. If they don’t relieve themselves, put them back in the crate without any attention or play. Over time, they will learn that crying leads to going to the bathroom and nothing else.
8. Avoid Punishment
Avoid punishing or scolding your crying Pug. Shouting or hitting will only worsen the situation. Punishment creates fear and anxiety in your dog, hindering their progress. Instead, refer to our puppy discipline ideas for effective alternatives.
Conclusion
Consistency is key when it comes to training your Pug to stop crying at night. Stick to the guidelines mentioned above to prevent mixed messages and ensure a successful outcome. If you’re having trouble figuring out why your Pug cries or if the problem persists, it’s advisable to seek professional help. Remember, crate and night training are crucial for your Pug’s well-being and your peaceful nights together.
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