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I'm a Dog Trainer. The Hardest Part of My Job Is Watching Owners Give Up Puppies That Just Need One Thing.
By. Sarah Mitchell , Pet Health & Wellness Writer • Updated September 2025
The session that made me change how I train
I've been a dog trainer for nine years. I've worked with over 600 families.
And about two years ago, a woman sat down in my training room and broke.
Not frustrated. Not tired. Broke.
She was six weeks into a new rescue puppy.
She'd done everything I'd told her to do — crate training, routine, consistency. She'd been perfect.
The puppy still screamed every night.
She looked at me and said: "I'm on the shelter's website every night at 2AM looking at the return policy. I love this dog. I don't know what to do."
That was the session that changed how I approach every single puppy case.
Because I realised something that most trainers — myself included, for years — had been getting completely wrong.
What I used to tell people
Before that session, my advice for nighttime screaming was the same as every other trainer's:
Be consistent. Gradual crate introduction. Positive association.
Don't reinforce the crying. Give it time.
That works for a lot of puppies. Maybe most.
But for a significant number — the ones whose owners end up in my office in tears at week six — it doesn't work.
And I couldn't explain why.
I'd tell them to keep going. Be more patient.
Adjust the routine.
Looking back, I was giving them the equivalent of "keep pushing the gas pedal" when the car had no fuel.
What I learned
I started reading. Not training literature — neuroscience.
And I found something that no training certification, no mentorship, no seminar had ever mentioned.
Puppies between 8 and 16 weeks are often missing a critical neurochemical building block for sleep.
Their brains are developing fast, but the systems that regulate sleep — the ones that tell the brain "switch off, you're safe, rest now" — need specific raw materials to build themselves.
Most puppies get zero nutritional support for this.
Not from their food. Not from the breeder.
Not from calming treats, which target anxiety — a completely different system.
The puppy isn't being difficult. It isn't anxious. It isn't untrained.
Its brain is trying to build the sleep system and it doesn't have what it needs to finish the job.
That's why "be consistent" fails for these puppies.
You're asking the brain to do something it physically can't do yet — not because of behaviour, but because of a missing building block.
What I tell my clients now
I stopped mid-session with that woman and said something I'd never said to a client before:
"This isn't a training problem. Stop blaming yourself. Her puppy's brain doesn't know how to sleep yet — and that's fixable."
She stared at me like I was speaking a different language.
I told her about a clinical study I'd found. 247 dogs. 99% improved the first night.
97% slept through the entire night.
A chew that gives the brain the specific support it needs to complete the sleep system it's trying to build.
Not a sedative. Not a calming treat.
Something that works with the puppy's development instead of against it.
I said: "Try it tonight. One night. If it doesn't work, we'll figure out next steps."
She texted me the next morning at 6:15AM.
"He slept. The whole night.
I'm sitting here crying and I don't know what to do with myself."
What's happened since
That was two years ago.
Since then I've recommended the same thing to over 40 clients with the same problem.
Consistent results. The puppies sleep. The owners recover.
And then — once everyone's actually rested — the real training can begin.
Because a rested puppy can actually learn.
Sarah, rescue lab mix, 10 weeks:
"Our trainer saved our dog's life. Not with training — with this. We were three days from returning her."
Dev, cockapoo, 12 weeks:
"I told the trainer I'd tried everything. He said 'you haven't tried the right thing.' He was right. First night."
Meg, goldendoodle, 9 weeks:
"I was so angry when the chew worked. Angry at every trainer and vet who'd told me to just be patient. Angry at myself for almost giving up on her. Mostly just relieved."
The chew
It's called Dreamy Pup Chews by Chuffys.
From $0.89 per chew.
I recommend it to every new puppy client now — before the screaming starts, not after.
90-night money-back guarantee.
If you're on the shelter's website at 2AM — close that tab. Try this tonight instead.
Your puppy's brain just needs help finishing what it started.
Comments
Can anybody vouch for this dog sleep thing?
I honestly thought it wouldn't work, but it has been a god send!! After years of broken sleep we are now all sleeping!
Ugh, I bought mine last month full price and NOW they’re doing a deal?! That’s not fair!
How long does shipping usually take?
Hey Skyler, mine arrived in about a couple of days. Super fast.
I was skeptical, but this is unreal. My senior dog was suffering bad and confused every night and pacing. After Chuffys it has stopped. Glad I tried it.
Rosie Herbert
Wow, same here. Just ordered one—can’t wait!
Debra Peyton
If you’re on the fence, don’t be. I waited too long and regret not getting it sooner. These dreamy pup chews are worth every penny.
Looks amazing, but has anyone actually tried it?
Yes! Got one for my mom—her puppy was always up at 3am . Two weeks in, her puppy sleeps all through the night and she couldn't be happier!
Just ordered! I can't wait to try!
I’ve been eyeing this forever. Payday’s coming and it’s the first thing in my cart.
Anyone know the actual shipping time? Want to grab one for my friend too.
Hey Ethel, mine showed up within 2 days. No issues.
Your friend’s gonna thank you—this is the best gift I’ve given in a while.
Sharing this with my sister. Her 12-year-old lab does EXACTLY this — pacing, staring at walls. Vet said cognitive dysfunction. I want her to try these first.
Retired vet tech here. Sleep issues in senior dogs are massively underdiagnosed. Most clinics don't have time to explore it. Glad someone is talking about this.
Obsessed. Dog used to wake up numerous times, now sleeps all through the night. Our marriage has also been saved!😂
Haha same! I didn’t want to miss out again so I ordered right away. They sell out FAST.
My dog wasn't "going senile" — he was sleep deprived. These chews proved it. Three months in and he's sharp as a tack during the day because he actually sleeps at night.