Whippet puppy's nighttime behaviour

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Bravelonghair7172 Icon representing the flag Spanish
Hi! We have a 4-month-old whippet and when it's time to go to sleep at night, he always joins us on the sofa; he needs to gnaw on his chew toy for a long time until he finally drops off. The only thing is, lately we've noticed that as well as wanting to nip us as well, he gets a bit more aggressive and actually hurts us. It also takes him about an hour to settle down. Are there any tricks for this? How can we train him out of it? At first it was fine, we just let him chew his toys and he’d relax... We’ve tried music but it’s done nothing.
Translated from Spanish
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2 answers
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    • Amour_du_Chien
    Amour_du_chien Icon representing the flag French
    Hello, at 4 months old, this often looks more like an overtired puppy that's teething, rather than actual aggression. Just like an exhausted child, they get worked up instead of falling asleep. A few things to try: - Start the wind-down period earlier: no high-energy games in the hour before bedtime, keep the lights low, and do one last quick toilet break. - As soon as their teeth touch skin, stop everything without shouting: stand up and then hand them a chew toy. If it happens again, settle them in their bed or playpen, without it being a punishment. - Offer various textures to chew on, such as a rubber toy that has been kept in the fridge. - Make sure they are getting enough daytime naps: a puppy of this age needs a lot of sleep, and a lack of rest leads to them being overexcited in the evening. If the biting gets worse, or if they react when touched in a specific place, speak to your vet to rule out any underlying pain. Dog Love
    Translated from French
    ProvetoJuniorConseil
    Provetojuniorconseil Icon representing the flag French
    Expert verified

    Hi, it’s completely normal for puppies to try and mouth things, but you need to teach them that it’s not okay early enough to prevent them from becoming aggressive as they grow up. Your pup is doing this because at 4 months old their teeth are starting to come through, but also because of that evening over-excitement.

    Ways to help them calm down:

    1. Change the bedtime ritual (getting off the sofa in the evening):

    Since the sofa seems to over-excite them rather than settle them at night, try switching up the routine. Instead of letting them get worked up on the sofa for an hour, create a dedicated quiet space just for them to wind down.

    2. Use a long-lasting chew (like a Kong):

    Rather than letting them gnaw on a standard toy that keeps them in 'play mode' or makes them frustrated, give them a frozen stuffed Kong (using a bit of puppy wet food, plain yoghurt, or pumpkin purée) directly in their bed when it’s time to settle down.

    3. Ignore them and stop the biting immediately:

    If they start getting aggressive or nipping your hands and arms, don’t join in or push them away roughly (as they might interpret this as a game). Give a calm "No", stand up or move your hands away, and briefly stop all interaction.

    4. Make sure they have a late afternoon nap:

    Often, a puppy that gets hyper in the evening is one that hasn't had enough rest during the afternoon. Ensure they have a good, quiet nap between 5pm and 8pm to prevent them from being overtired by bedtime.

    If the aggression intensifies or the bedtime anxiety persists despite these adjustments, don't hesitate to speak to your vet or consult a dog behaviourist for some personalised support.

    I hope this advice helps.

    Kind regards,

    Léo Mettas.

    This is not a substitute for medical advice – please consult a vet if needed.

    Translated from French

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