What Night One Looks Like

Know this going in: the first two or three nights are the hardest, and some whimpering is normal even when you do everything right. The puppy has just lost their mother and every littermate at once.

What helps is staying steady. Do not scold the crying, and do not scoop the puppy into your bed to make it stop — both teach lessons you will regret. Calm presence and your steady breathing nearby are enough. It gets easier fast.