While bringing a new puppy into your life will very likely result in unimaginable happiness and uncontrollable giddiness on your part, it may also be a confusing and stressful time for your new pet.
That’s why, along with providing cute cuddles and adorable opportunities to play, puppies may also occasionally cry — or they might even cry quite often or nonstop if they have issues that need to be addressed. And since you care about your dog, you certainly won’t be able to ignore those struggles. As Jane Goodall once explained, “You cannot share your life with a dog… and not know perfectly well that animals have personalities and minds and feelings.”
But before you can make things all better, you need to figure out why your dog is distressed — the last thing you want to do is ignore a crying puppy! Check out the important info and helpful tips below to find out what you should do if your puppy is crying.
Find Out Why Your Puppy Is Crying Make Sure Your Puppy Is Not Injured or Sick
If your puppy is obviously upset, first make sure that she's not injured or sick. Look all over for signs of bleeding or scratches, from the nose to the tip of the tail. Check for a broken nail or something that might be embedded in the bottom of a paw.
If your puppy is lethargic or throws up, she might have eaten something bad or caught a bug. Give your pup a thorough check, and if something seems off, you might want to take her to the vet for a checkup.
Take Your Puppy Out to Do Her Business
As puppies get used to their new homes, they will also be figuring out the potty training process. As young dogs attempt to learn how to signal that they need to pee or poo, they may cry anytime they need to do their business. If your puppy is whining while also pacing, sniffing her backside, or scratching at the door, take her outside to see if she will relieve herself.
See If Your Puppy Is Hungry
Puppies need to be fed multiple times per day. How much you give your dog during each meal will depend on the type of food you’re using as well as both the size and breed of your pup.
If you’re providing the proper amount of both food and water, but your puppy is still crying and acting hungry, check in with your vet to make sure everything’s OK with your dog’s digestive system and that the type of food you’re feeding your puppy is the right choice.
Make Sure Your Puppy Isn’t Scared
While puppies adjust to their new homes and families, there are plenty of reasons why they might feel scared. Perhaps there are other animals in the house that they need to become familiar with. Maybe the new sounds and smells of the home are unsettling. Maybe they are freaked out by storms or bad weather.
It may not always be easy to pin down why your puppy is scared, but if you’re able to either remove or address the problem, your puppy’s crying may ease up right away. However, if you can’t figure out what the problem is, just keep in mind that the ultimate goal is to make sure your puppy feels safe, so talk to her calmly and offer lots of comfort and love.
Make Sure Your Puppy Isn’t Bored
Just like children, puppies need a lot of stimulation. When puppies get bored, they might act out by crying. Before you bring your new puppy home, head to the pet store and pick out a few suitable toys that will not only be fun but also keep them occupied and invigorated for hours. There are plenty of options, from adorable plushies and chewable ropes to sleek rubber bones and even moose antlers for gnawing purposes (yes, real moose antlers).
Make Sure Your Puppy Gets Enough Exercise
When you get a new puppy, you’ll need to not only take her outside to relieve herself but also provide her with plenty of time to run around outside. If you don’t have a spacious yard, look for a dog park in your neighborhood where you can take your puppy to really stretch her legs, catch a ball or two, and have some fun.
Is Your Puppy Lonely?
While you are no doubt a loving and caring companion for your puppy, she very likely just left her mom and siblings to come live with you. That means your puppy could feel somewhat lonely at first. If you have another dog in the house, that might help your puppy adjust a little faster. Otherwise, you may need to arrange a few playdates with friends who have dogs of their own so that your puppy can get some quality time with other canine pals.
Help Your Dog Adjust Get Your Puppy Used to Being Alone
While you don’t want your puppy to be sad because she's lonely, you also need to get your puppy used to being alone (or she may end up with separation anxiety and cry every single time you leave, not to mention indulge in destructive behavior). Try leaving for short periods of time so that your puppy can adjust to you being out of the house. When you get back, reward your puppy for staying calm while you were gone. Once your pup is confident and comfortable with you stepping out for a short while, start extending the time that you’re away in small increments so that your dog stays assured that you’ll eventually be back.
Get Your Puppy Used to Her Crate
If your puppy is having trouble adjusting to her new circumstances or is having problems when it comes to keeping calm, you might want to try using a crate. While your puppy will have to get used to it, there are plenty of things that you can do to make your dog comfortable with her crate and make it a positive place for her to chill out whenever needed.
Get Your Puppy Used to a Routine
Puppies not only adjust better to new situations if they’re given a reliable routine, they’ll also be much happier because they know what’s expected of them. If you wake up at the same time every day, make sure that your puppy is waking up as well. Let her out to do her business at the same time throughout the day, and feed her at the same time during the morning, afternoon, and/or evening. Try to take her out for a walk at the same time each day, and if you use a crate, give your puppy a bedtime and put her to sleep at the same time every night.
Don’t Yell at or Punish Your Puppy
Surely you don’t like to be yelled at or punished, and neither does your puppy. When puppies are crying, yelling at them will only upset them even more and make the situation harder to handle. And in addition to increasing their crying, yelling and punishments might prompt other unwanted reactions like nipping or pee-related accidents.
Don’t Reward Unwanted Behavior
While you shouldn’t punish your puppy for crying, you also don’t want your puppy to learn that whining is something she should do. Don’t offer treats to try to make her feel better; otherwise, she might associate crying with rewards and think that whimpering is something you want her to do.
Give Your Puppy More Attention and Affection
Puppies need a lot of attention, and if they don’t get it, they’ll let you know that they’re not happy about it by whining. Along with playing with your pup, be sure to acknowledge her as soon as you wake up or get home. Praise her whenever she does something good. If your puppy is allowed on the sofa, then let her snuggle up beside you while you’re watching TV. Shower your puppy with affection because she loves your love.
Be Patient and Understanding
When your puppy cries, remember that while the whining and whimpering may be annoying for you to put up with, your new pet is still a baby. Along with requiring plenty of attention, training, and basic necessities, your puppy also needs a special sort of TLC that only you can provide. Be patient and understanding, and keep in mind that your puppy probably just needs a little more time to adjust to her new home and new family.
