Is your beagle puppy giving you sleepless nights? Are you confused about why your beagle puppy won’t sleep at the right times? 

Depending on your beagle pup’s age, there will need to be some adjustment time to get them used to a proper sleep schedule, but it is doable. Training for a consistent sleep schedule early is a vital part of rearing any pup. In this article, I’ll answer some of the most common sleep-related questions I get about beagle puppies to set you on the right path so that both you and your pup get the sleep you need.

How to Train Your Beagle Puppy to Get Ready For Bed

For a little pup, the world around is such an enjoyable and exciting place that they likely won’t pay attention to their own internal body’s signals, including the ones that indicate it is time to rest. This puts the responsibility on you as a beagle parent to follow the right nap time and bedtime schedule to set your beagle up for success, as they do require a lot of rest. The following tips and tricks should be able to help you train your beagle to sleep soundly.

• Establish a fixed schedule

Plan your pup’s day in a way that a busy time is followed by quiet time for sleep. Your puppy will most likely be prepared for a nap after a walk or playtime. Pups sleep a lot and in the first six months will sleep after every hour for 30 minutes to two hours, which is perfectly normal. You have to teach your puppy from the start that nights are for sleeping as well. Crate training can be an effective way to get this started. 

• Keep your pup sleeping quietly

When it is bedtime, you should keep the lights of the room dim. Cut out any noise coming from the TV or any other electronic source. A quiet and dark room will be a cue for your pup to get ready to fall asleep. If their room gets a lot of outside light or early morning sun, then you can consider putting up blackout shades to help limit disturbances. In the morning, take your pup for a morning walk, so that they learn the difference between the time to rest and time to wake up. Taking them for a walk outside right after waking will also help them get used to a normal potty schedule in the morning.

• Reward good behavior with treats

Teaching your pup getting into their crate can be an uphill task. But treats can be a useful tool, as beagles are very food motivated. Beagles are voracious eaters and food lovers and can easily be trained for anything tasty. 

A healthy treat will be an excellent motivation for the beagle pup to start looking forward to going to bed at night. While they are learning the new routine, they may howl or bark before they settle in for the night, but over time they’ll get more used to it.

Also, if you don’t crate train and find that your beagle is jumping on you in the middle of the night, don’t shout at them, as they can get scared and they will find it harder to sleep. Beagles are extremely sensitive and do not comply with punishments, they respond much better to positive reinforcement.

Try to remain calm while your beagle pup is developing their new sleep routine. Praise them when you see them in their bed at night.

• Keep their crate near your bedside

Beagles are pack animals and are prone to separation anxiety. This fear can sometimes prevent your pup from sleeping quietly through the night. It is a good idea to keep your new pup’s crate along your bedside until his anxiety subsides. 

This is essential to make them feel less lonely during the first few nights. Gradually you can start moving the crate further away and maybe later to the next room. Sleeping next to you initially for the first few weeks will help them bond with you and feel less lonely.

• Give a lot of physical activity

Playing interactive games is an excellent way to wiping out your puppy. Remember, beagles are hunting dogs and have a lot of natural energy. So, you will have to find a way to entertain them all the time. You can set up a schedule for playing with your beagle pup that suits your schedule as well, but you’ll need to stick to it. 

If you are out most of the day, and your pup stays alone at home for a long time, they may not be getting enough physical and mental stimulation. They will most likely be super animated when they see you and won’t be able to sleep. If you don’t have enough time for your puppy, then you can hire a dog walker or a pet sitter who can provide them companionship and enough exercise during the day to tire them out.

• Consistent meal routine

Your puppy must get their meals at the same time every day in order to establish a routine.

Setting a routine is essential so that your beagle pup can relax in-between their meals. Establishing a consistent routine will help them bring their body clock in sync with you and everyone else in your house. 

You should aim to stop all eating and drinking a few hours before your pup’s bedtime, while this won’t immediately stop nighttime accidents for puppies, it will set them on the right path. 

But before doing so, make sure your puppy has had their fill. 

• Use White Noise       

White noise machines can be a great way to relax your dog and get them in the mood to fall asleep. If you play a white noise machine for your pup during their first few months of sleep, they’ll start to form an association with that noise and sleeping. 

That way, if you want them to wind down and get ready for bed, putting on the noise will signal to them that it’s probably almost bedtime.

How to Prevent Your Beagle Puppy From Crying Before Bed?

There are many reasons why your beagle pup may be crying at night. It is okay for your puppy to whine at night for several weeks as they get used to their routine. 

It’s important to try to work with your puppy’s instincts and not against them. Beagles are pack animals and geared to sleep closely in a group for safety and comfort. Additionally, beagles as a breed crave lots of attention, so you should expect a certain level of neediness from these puppies.

Allowing your beagle to sleep near you, especially in the first few months, will quell their fears. Over time, you can start to separate them and encourage them to love sleeping in their crate.

They may also be crying or whining about being hungry, thirsty, or needing to go to the bathroom, so don’t hesitate to  check up on them if the crying doesn’t stop after some time. Having a puppy is a lot like having a baby, and unfortunately babies are tough to get to sleep.

How Many Hours of Sleep Do Beagle Puppies Need?

Although beagle puppies are a powerhouse of energy, they usually sleep 18-20 hours a day in the first three months, usually in small naps throughout the day. 

Sleep is vital for the healthy growth of your beagle pup. Sleep helps in the necessary development of his immune system, muscles, and nervous system. Your beagle pup burns a lot of energy when awake – growing physically, exploring new places, learning what they can and can’t do. 

The more energy your beagle pup expends throughout the day, the longer they will need to sleep. Without proper sleep, your pup will become destructive, cranky, and would be at risk of getting several infections and diseases due to a weakened immune system. 

How to Know if My Puppy Really Needs to Go Outside in the Middle of the Night?

You will have to get up several times in the middle of the night, depending upon the puppy’s age. You will have to take pups younger than three or four months outside at least once during the night. If you are giving your pup a big bowl of water, they may not be able to hold it until morning, as their bladders are incredibly small and empty faster than the older dogs. 

Your beagle pup will let you know that they need to go by crying, whining, yipping, or howling. But if you and pup are both deep sleepers, then setting the alarm will be a good idea to avoid accidents in the crate. 

A 3-month-old puppy can usually go without urinating for four hours. So if you sleep for eight hours, you will have to get up once to take them outside the house to relieve themselves. After some time as your pup grows up, they will need to go out less frequently. The goal is to take them outside before their need to go becomes so critical that they starts howling and barking.

Final Thoughts

Just like a feeding schedule and house training schedule, sleep routine is also essential for you and your beagle puppy to live together happily and peacefully. 

Initially, you may find this overwhelming, but with some hard work, training, and love, you will be rewarded with a happy and well-behaved dog. Moving into a new home can be a stressful experience for your beagle pup. New scents, new sounds, new sights can cause a significant disruption in your sensitive pup’s routine, especially if they are now adjusting to life without their mother. A sufficiently energetic day, cozy bed, and empty bladder can help your beagle puppy sleep the night away.