Should You Pick Up a Puppy Every Time It Cries? What Veterinarians Really Say

When your puppy cries, your first instinct might be to scoop them up and hold them close. It’s heartbreaking to hear that sound, especially if they’re new to your home. But here’s the truth: picking up a puppy every time it cries doesn’t fix the problem-it often makes it worse.

Why Puppies Cry

Puppies cry for many reasons, and not all of them mean they’re in danger or need comfort. Common causes include:

• Need to go outside to pee or poop
• Loneliness or separation anxiety
• Overstimulation or exhaustion
• Hunger or thirst
• Discomfort from temperature, bedding, or a tight crate
• Teething pain

A 2023 study from the University of Pennsylvania’s Animal Behavior Clinic tracked 127 puppies in their first 30 days at home. Researchers found that 68% of crying episodes were linked to environmental factors like crate size or lighting-not emotional distress. That means most of the time, the solution isn’t cuddles. It’s adjustment.

What Happens When You Pick Them Up Every Time

If you rush to pick up your puppy every time they cry, you teach them one thing: crying gets me attention. This isn’t manipulation-it’s learning. Puppies are quick learners. They don’t know the difference between comfort and reward.

Think of it like a child banging on a door to get candy. If you give in every time, the banging gets louder and more frequent. The same thing happens with puppies. Within days, the crying becomes a routine. You start hearing it at 2 a.m., 4 a.m., and again at 6 a.m. You’re not helping them feel safe-you’re training them to depend on your presence for peace.

Veterinarians and certified dog trainers agree: immediate physical comfort after crying reinforces the behavior. A 2024 survey of 89 veterinary behaviorists found that 74% of puppies with chronic nighttime crying had owners who picked them up or let them out of the crate every time they vocalized.

The Right Way to Respond

You don’t have to ignore your puppy. But you do need to respond wisely. Here’s how:

1. Wait 30 seconds. Sometimes, they cry for a moment, then settle on their own. Give them a chance to self-soothe.
2. Check for basic needs. Is their water bowl empty? Are they cold? Do they need to go outside? These are solvable problems, not emotional ones.
3. If they need to go out, stay calm. Take them outside on a leash. Don’t talk, don’t cuddle. Just let them do their business. Bring them right back to their crate. No playtime, no treats-just business.
4. Use a calming sound. Play white noise, a fan, or a recording of a heartbeat. These mimic the sounds they heard with their littermates and can reduce anxiety.
5. Don’t reward crying with attention. If they cry and you pick them up, pet them, or talk to them, you’re giving them exactly what they want: your presence. That’s the reward.

When to Worry

There are times when crying means something serious. Look for these red flags:

• Crying that lasts more than 15 minutes without stopping
• Crying accompanied by whining, pacing, or drooling
• Loss of appetite or vomiting
• Crying only when left alone (this could be separation anxiety)
• Physical signs like limping, shaking, or panting heavily

If you see any of these, it’s time to call your vet. Medical issues like urinary tract infections, parasites, or even a twisted intestine can cause distress that looks like crying. Don’t assume it’s just behavior.

Building Confidence, Not Dependence

The goal isn’t to make your puppy silent. It’s to help them learn how to be alone. Puppies raised in homes where they’re given space to self-soothe become more confident, less anxious adults.

A 2025 study from the American College of Veterinary Behavior found that puppies who were left to settle on their own for short periods during the first 60 days showed 42% less anxiety at age one compared to those who were constantly comforted.

You can build confidence by:

• Practicing short absences-leave the room for 30 seconds, then come back.
• Using a crate with a soft blanket and a chew toy to create a safe space.
• Teaching the "quiet" command with treats when they stop crying on their own.
• Rotating toys to keep them mentally engaged.

What About Nighttime Crying?

Nighttime crying is the most common complaint. Puppies are used to being warm, surrounded by littermates. A crate in a quiet room feels lonely.

Instead of moving the crate into your bedroom, try this:

• Place the crate near your bed so they can smell you.
• Use a heating pad (on low, covered with a towel) to mimic body warmth.
• Play a recording of a mother dog’s heartbeat for 15 minutes before bedtime.
• Don’t check on them unless they’ve been crying for more than 10 minutes.
• After 10 minutes, if they’re still crying, take them outside quickly-no talking, no petting.

Most puppies settle within 3-5 nights. Some take up to two weeks. Consistency matters more than comfort.

What to Do Instead

Here’s a simple rule: Respond to needs, not noise. If your puppy is crying because they need to go out-take them out. If they’re cold-add a blanket. If they’re teething-give them a chew toy. If they’re lonely-start training them to be alone.

Don’t pick them up because you feel bad. Pick them up because they need to be picked up-not because they cried.

Final Thought

Puppies don’t cry because they hate being alone. They cry because they don’t yet know how to handle it. Your job isn’t to fix their emotions. It’s to teach them how to manage them.

The quietest, most confident dogs aren’t the ones whose owners never left them alone. They’re the ones who learned, slowly and safely, that being alone is okay.