The puppy witching hour is when your calm pup suddenly gets crazy at night — biting, zooming, and acting out of control. If you’re dealing with this, you’re not alone.
What Is the Puppy Witching Hour?
The puppy witching hour is a predictable time (usually evening) when your puppy suddenly becomes:
- Hyper
- Bitey
- Unfocused
- Full of zoomies
This typically happens between 6 PM and 10 PM, especially before bedtime.
Why the Puppy Witching Hour Happens
Understanding the puppy witching hour makes it much easier to fix.
1. Overtired Puppies Lose Control
Puppies need 18–20 hours of sleep daily.
When they stay awake too long:
- Their brain gets overwhelmed
- They lose impulse control
- The puppy witching hour behavior kicks in
2. Overstimulation During the Day
Too much:
- Play
- Noise
- Activity
Leads to a nervous system overload — which shows up as puppy witching hour biting and zoomies.
3. Teething Pain Peaks at Night
During the puppy witching hour, sore gums feel worse.
Your puppy looks for relief → and your hands become the target.
How to Stop the Puppy Witching Hour
Follow these steps in order — this is where most people fix it fast.
Step 1: Fix Sleep Before the Puppy Witching Hour Starts
- Track awake time
- After 60–90 minutes → nap time
- Use a crate or quiet space
💡 Preventing overtiredness reduces the puppy witching hour dramatically.
Step 2: Create a Calm Evening Routine
- Light play (not rough)
- Potty break
- Dim lights
- Lower noise
- Calm interaction
Consistency helps your puppy avoid the puppy witching hour spike.
Step 3: Redirect Puppy Witching Hour Biting
Use a chew toy every time.
👉 Recommended:
KONG Puppy Rubber Dog Toy
How to Use It
- Keep it nearby
- Puppy bites → swap immediately
- Hold steady
- Let them chew
- Calm praise
Step 4: Remove Attention When Biting Continues
- Stand up
- Turn your back
- Wait 10–20 seconds
This teaches:
puppy witching hour biting = no attention
Step 5: Use a Calm Reset
If your puppy is out of control:
- Place in crate or playpen
- Give chew toy
- Walk away
This safely ends the puppy witching hour cycle.
Common Mistakes During the Puppy Witching Hour
Avoid these:
- Yelling
- Rough play before bed
- Letting biting happen sometimes
- Keeping your puppy awake too long
- Over-exercising at night
These make the puppy witching hour worse.
Puppy Witching Hour FAQs
Why does the puppy witching hour happen every night?
Because your puppy follows a daily cycle. Without proper naps and structure, the puppy witching hour becomes a habit.
How long does the puppy witching hour last?
Most episodes last 20–60 minutes, depending on how overtired your puppy is.
Will my puppy grow out of the puppy witching hour?
Yes — but only with structure. Otherwise, puppy witching hour biting can continue into adulthood.
What age does the puppy witching hour stop?
Most puppies improve around 4–6 months, especially with consistent routines.
Final Thoughts
The puppy witching hour isn’t bad behavior — it’s an overtired, overwhelmed puppy who doesn’t know how to settle.
Fix the schedule, stay consistent, and redirect properly — and you’ll see fast improvement.
🔗 Internal Links
🌐 External Resource
The American Kennel Club recommends structured routines to help puppies settle and reduce nighttime hyper behavior.
