How to Stop a English Springer Spaniel Puppy From Crying at Night
English Springer Spaniels are eager, obedient dogs bred for partnership with their handlers, which makes them prone to separation anxiety and over-attachment—especially at night. Your new puppy likely cries because they miss you and feel isolated, not out of stubbornness. With their high trainability (4/5) and friendly temperament, they respond exceptionally well to consistent, positive-reinforcement methods that build confidence and security. This guide will help you create a calm bedtime routine that addresses your spaniel's emotional needs while establishing peaceful nights. By combining exercise, crate training, and reassurance strategies tailored to their eager nature, you'll settle your puppy's anxiety and teach them that nighttime is safe, predictable, and restful.
Step-by-step
- 1
Exhaust Your Spaniel's High Energy Before Bed
English Springer Spaniels need 75 minutes of daily exercise; aim for a vigorous play session or walk 2–3 hours before bedtime. A tired puppy is calmer and more settled—their naturally high energy level means they need legitimate physical outlets to wind down mentally. Fetch, swimming, or running games are ideal for this breed.
- 2
Create a Consistent Bedtime Routine
Start the routine 30 minutes before sleep: quiet time, a bathroom break, then placement in a properly sized crate or pen with familiar bedding. Spaniels thrive on predictability and respond well to structure, which reduces anxiety. Consistency signals to your puppy that sleep time is safe and expected.
- 3
Position the Crate Near Your Bed Initially
Place the crate within sight and scent range of your bedroom for the first 1–2 weeks to ease separation anxiety—a core challenge for this over-attached breed. Your puppy can hear you breathing and smell you nearby, building confidence without rewarding crying. Gradually move the crate farther away as they settle.
- 4
Teach the 'Settle' Command with Positive Reinforcement
Use a calm voice to say 'settle,' then immediately reward quiet moments with praise and treats once they're calm (not while crying). Spaniels are eager to please and highly trainable, so they'll quickly learn this command through consistent, positive association. Practice settling during the day in the crate to reinforce it before bedtime.
- 5
Ignore Crying—Never Reward the Behavior
If your puppy cries, wait for a pause in the crying before any response—even eye contact reinforces the behavior. Respond only to quiet: open the crate, praise, and let them out. This teaches your intelligent spaniel that crying gets no attention, while silence brings positive rewards.
- 6
Address Under-Exercise and Boredom Proactively
A tired Springer Spaniel is less likely to cry from excess energy or boredom. If nighttime crying persists, increase daytime activity and mental enrichment (scent games, retrieves, puzzle toys) because their high energy and keen nose make them prone to frustration. Meet their breed-specific exercise needs to reduce anxiety.
- 7
Gradually Extend Crate Time and Independence
Over 2–4 weeks, slowly increase distance and duration of separation during the day and night. Introduce absences of a few seconds, then minutes, rewarding calm behavior each time. Their obedient, eager nature means they'll respond quickly to this gradual, positive progression.
Pro tips
- Spaniels are scent-oriented dogs: rub a cloth on your neck and place it in the crate—your scent soothes them without rewarding crying, leveraging their natural comfort with familiar smells.
- Use puzzle toys and frozen Kong toys stuffed with treats to occupy your spaniel's keen nose and reduce boredom-driven crying during crate time.
- Exercise before bed is crucial: your spaniel's high energy level means insufficient activity will absolutely lead to restless, whiny nights—prioritize vigorous play 2–3 hours before sleep.
Frequently asked questions
How long will it take my English Springer Spaniel puppy to stop crying at night?+
Most spaniel puppies show significant improvement within 2–3 weeks with consistent training, though some may take 4–6 weeks depending on age and prior separation experiences. Their high trainability (4/5) works in your favor, but patience and consistency are essential.
Should I let my puppy sleep in my bed to stop the crying?+
No—bed-sharing creates stronger over-attachment, a known challenge for this breed. Instead, keep the crate near your bed so your puppy feels your presence while learning to self-soothe independently. This approach builds security without reinforcing dependency.
Can I use a larger crate if my puppy cries in a small one?+
Use a properly sized crate—only large enough for your puppy to stand, turn, and lie down comfortably. Too much space encourages pottying in one corner and sleeping in another, undermining crate-training success. A puppy pad backup is fine if accidents happen.
Is my spaniel puppy crying because they need to potty or because of separation anxiety?+
Young puppies need bathroom breaks every 2–4 hours; if your puppy cries during these windows, let them out without fuss, then immediately return them to the crate. If crying persists after bathroom breaks on a consistent schedule, it's likely separation anxiety—address it with the training steps above.