Bringing home a puppy is a glorious blend of excitement, panic, tiny squeaks, and the sudden realisation that you have willingly invited a nocturnal baby gremlin into your home. Night One is the big one. It’s emotional, confusing, and occasionally damp, but with the right set-up, you’ll both get through it.
Before we dive into the chaos, take the Which Dog Breed is Best for Me? Quiz if you’re still choosing your furry soulmate.
What to Expect on the First Night
A Puppy Who Misses Their Cuddle Puddle
Up until today, your puppy has been smooshed into a warm heap of siblings and mum. Now? They’re in a crate, in a new house, with a human who talks in ridiculous high-pitched noises. They’re not crying to manipulate you. They’re crying because they’re scared and lonely.
Pickles’ Aside: Remove me from my cuddle pile, and I’d call the police.
Whimpering — It’s Normal, Not a Failing
Most owners describe Night One as: “small ghost noises echoing at 1am”.
They’re adjusting. You’re adjusting. This is all completely normal.
Toilet Trips. Plural.
Their bladder is roughly the size of a grape. A helpful, adorable grape. Expect 2–3 night-time wees.
A Little Human Existential Dread
You’ll lie there wondering if you’ve made a terrible mistake.
Spoiler: you haven’t. You’re just tired.
What You SHOULD Do
(Actionable. Kind. Modern. Based on owners who lived through the trenches.)
1. Create a Soft, Safe Den
Set up a crate or pen with:
- soft bedding
- a toy or two
- dim lighting
- something that smells like home
Aim for “cosy snuggle nook”, not “budget travel lodge”.
2. Use the Heartbeat Toy Before Collection Day — the Ultimate Hack
This is your survival trick for the first 48 hours.
Send a heartbeat toy to the breeder before the puppy comes home.
Drop it off if you’re local, or Amazon Prime it directly to them.
Let it soak up the warm, comforting scent of mum and the litter.
Then bring it home.
That toy becomes a portable cuddle pile. Puppies LOVE it.
Pickles’ Aside: A warm, snuggly toy that smells like my mum? Say less.
3. Sleep Near Them (You Choose How Near)
You do not need to be a hero who leaves a terrified baby dog alone in a dark room.
Realistic options that work beautifully:
- sleeping on the sofa beside the crate
- crate in your bedroom
- a comfy bed next to the crate for the first night or two
- hand through the bars for reassurance like a prison visit, but cuter
It says: “You’re safe. I’m here. We’ve got this.”
4. Sleeping With Your Puppy? Absolutely Fine — Just Time It Right
CrazyDogs isn’t here to police your bedtime choices.
If you eventually want your dog in your bed? Fabulous.
If you don’t? Also fabulous.
BUT…
Maybe wait until they’re toilet-trained.
Unless you enjoy midnight sheet changes and mystery puddles.
5. Follow a Calm, Predictable Bedtime Routine
Puppies thrive on patterns. Try:
- final wee
- low-energy snuggles
- soft voice
- lights down
- into crate/bed
- reassurance without theatrics
Consistency = quicker settling.
6. Keep Night-Time Toileting Quiet
No squeaky toys.
No high-pitched “WHO’S A GOOD BABY”.
Just quiet, calm, “let’s wee and go back to sleep”.
Like a polite midnight handshake.
7. Comfort Crying — Don’t Ignore It
Your puppy isn’t crying to dominate you. They’re crying because today their entire world changed.
Use:
- soft voice
- gentle touch
- calm reassurance
You’re building trust, not teaching “toughness”.
Pickles’ Aside: Tough love? Absolutely not. Soft love or no love.
8. Make the Crate a Snack-Dispensing Paradise
Feed meals in the crate.
Pop in a treat when they wander near it.
Reward quiet moments.
The crate should feel like a spa retreat with room service.
What You Should NOT Do
Don’t Be Hard on Yourself (or Them)
Night One is survival mode.
There’s no perfect. Just progress.
Avoid “Tough Love” Approaches
Letting a teeny tiny puppy cry and cry teaches fear, not independence.
Reassurance doesn’t “spoil” them — it stabilises them.
Don’t Shout, Even If You’re Shattered
Scared puppy + loud noise = meltdown.
They cry because they’re confused, not naughty.
Don’t Move Them Into Bed Just to Stop the Noise
Unless you want a bed buddy forever.
Is that your dream?
Brilliant. Just toilet-train first.
Avoid Pre-Bed Zoomies
A hyper puppy becomes a feral nighttime goblin.
Keep evenings chill so they have a chance of winding down.
Don’t Turn the Crate Into a “Naughty Step”
It’s a nap zone, not a punishment cell.
Crate = cosy den. Always.
Don’t Expect a Full Night’s Sleep
Not because you did anything wrong — simply because you adopted a baby dog.
It gets better quickly.
Night Three is often a magical turning point.
Pickles’ Aside: If you get four hours in a row, alert the media. You’re a prodigy.
Extra Owner-Tested Tips (From the Real World)
“Alien baby knows nothing.”
This mindset changes everything.
They cry because life is confusing.
Respond with gentleness.
Use Familiar Scents
Blanket from the breeder
Your jumper
Heartbeat toy
Anything that says “you’re safe now”.
Slowly Introduce Alone Time
Start close.
Increase distance gradually.
Independence grows with confidence, not isolation.
Thinking of Bringing Home a Puppy?
If you’re prepping for chaos, cuddles and the occasional puddle, grab the New Puppy Paw-rent Planner to stay organised.
And when your tiny gremlin finally sleeps peacefully, celebrate with Cartoon Pet Portraits — because cute should be immortalised.
Pickles’ Aside: And if anyone asks how Night One went… lie. Say it was easy.