Congratulations on your new puppy! They will bring so much joy to your house. But at 2am, when you’re lying in bed and they won’t. stop. crying. you might not be feeling too joyful. So how do you get your puppy to go to sleep and stay that way? Well every puppy is different, and no puppy will sleep through the night their first day in your home, but we’ve got seven tips to help ease the transition. Before you know it, you’ll be catching major Z’s.

The 7 tips for sleep success

1. Create a bedtime routine

Puppies don’t have a great sense of time, so if you don’t tell them that bedtime is coming, they might not start winding down. Bedtime routines can be soothing and they prepare the brain for sleep. Your routine can be your own combination of dinner, playtime, cuddles, and bathroom breaks, just keep it consistent so your puppy always knows that sleep is right around the corner!

2. Wear them out with exercise

A worn out puppy is a sleepy puppy! Physical activity will tire your pup out and they will sleep for longer stretches at a time. But mental energy can keep a puppy up just as easily as physical energy, so try a puzzle feeder for dinner or do some late night training to tire out their mind as well as their body.

3. Limit food and water before bed

Most puppies have to go to the bathroom after dinner, so don’t wait to feed them until right before bed. Give them time to digest before they go to sleep. You might also want to limit water for a few hours before bedtime so they don’t wake you up to go outside every fifteen minutes just as you are falling asleep. Puppies have really small bladders, so they will almost certainly not be able to hold it all night, but anything that you can do to make bathroom wake up calls few and far between is a victory!

4. Take them out for a last minute potty break

Speaking of small bladders, taking your pup outside right before bed can allow for deeper and longer sleep before they’ve got to go again. A good rule of thumb is that puppies can last one hour for every month of age before they need to potty. So a three month old puppy can only last three hours before they will need to go. This can be a little bit longer for sleeping puppies.

5. Consider a crate or pen for your puppy

What kind of sleep set up you choose is totally up to you, but some might let you get a better night sleep than others. Most people recommend a crate or pen for new puppies. This keeps them (and your house) safe as they can’t get into any trouble while you’re sleeping. If you’re crate training your puppy, make sure the crate is the right size for your dog. Some crates come with dividers so you can size them up as your pup grows!

If you’re not about that potty wake-up call life, you might want to think about a pen with a crate or bed in it. This can allow your dog some space away from their bed to use a pee pad, giving you some much needed rest and keeping your pup clean, dry, and happy.

Best Friends by Sheri Bed

Our recommendation

This bed is anti-anxiety and creates a feeling of comfort for puppies with faux fur and high walls perfect for denning. For more dog bed suggestions, check out our article on our top five beds for anxiety.

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6. Let them sleep in the room with you

Puppies are used to sleeping next to their mom and their litter-mates. To suddenly be on their own can be really frightening. They are in a new space with new people who all seem really nice, but aren’t there in the crate. For the first few weeks that your puppy is in your home, you might want to consider keeping their crate or bed in your room. This way they can hear and smell you and will be comforted if they wake up scared. After a few weeks, you can slowly move their bed to wherever you want them to get used to sleeping. Alternately, you can set up a bed for yourself wherever you want them to sleep and have yourself a slumber party for the first few weeks they are home.

Sleeping near your new pup will help you hear when they need to go outside and will also prevent some of the worst of the lonely crying. Just let them snuffle at your fingers when they wake up to calm them down. Avoid giving them too much attention in response to their crying, as this can teach them to cry when they want midnight snuggles.

7. Give them lots of blankets and toys

You want your puppy to love their bed! If your pup is uncomfortable or distressed, they definitely won’t sleep through the night. Put lots of pillows and blankets wherever you want them to sleep. Puppies love to snuggle up. If your dog’s idea of snuggling is ripping things apart, less is probably more here. You might also want to include an old t-shirt in this pile of goodies so your puppy can get some scent comfort from you. If you’re crate training your puppy, consider covering the crate with a blanket, towel, or official crate cover to keep their den dark and protect them from drafts.

You also want to start making positive associations with their bed. Try giving them treats on their bed or feeding them meals there. The happier they are on their bed, the easier bedtime will go.

SmartPetLove Snuggle Puppy

Our recommendation

This stuffed animal is specially designed for puppies to help them transition into your home anxiety-free. The toy plays a heartbeat and comes with a heat pack to mimic the comforts that your puppy is used to with their mom and litter-mates.

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Puppies can’t always sleep through the night, even with our best efforts

Some of us have unrealistic expectations for our puppies. Remember, they are just like babies. “Sleeping through the night” is relative. No matter how good of a sleeper your pup is, chances are, they won’t let you get an uninterrupted eight hours. If you keep your expectations realistic, you might find that your pup starts to meet them before you know it.

Puppies will need middle of the night bathroom breaks. No matter how sleepy, your puppy will need to relieve themselves during the night. Their bladders are too small to last the entire night. A good rule of thumb is that puppies can hold their bladder one hour for every month old they are. A four month old puppy can last about four hours before needing to use the bathroom. This is just an estimate and can vary depending on the breed, size, and personality of your pup. Remember, if you don’t want to wake up to let your puppy out, consider giving them access to pee pads that are some distance from their beds so they can go when they need to.

Puppies will wake you up early. Sleeping through the night also has a very strict definition of the term “night”. Your puppy will be up and ready to start the day early, whether you want to sleep in or not. Waking up at 6am is still a win! Let your puppy out, play with them a bit, and then lay down for some cuddles while you get a little more shut eye.

The most important thing to do is understand that you and your new puppy are on the same team. You both want a good night’s sleep where you both feel safe, comfortable, and well rested! With patience and understanding, your puppy will be sleeping through the night in no time!

Military dog collars are strong, durable options for those wanting a more heavy-duty option for their dogs. But, as these collars grow in popularity, it can be difficult to find just the right military collar for your dog.

We’ve done all the research and read all the reviews to come up with a list of the best military dog collars that are tactical (and cool) for you.

Why should I get a military collar?

There are so many reasons we support using military collars for your dog. However, we’ve put together a few of our favorite reasons to get you excited about these tactical collars.

Durability – The number one reason military collars are an amazing choices is they are extremely durable, made with some of the best heavy-duty materials available today.

Control – Most military collars come with a handle, increasing the amount of control you’ll have while your dog is wear the collar. This feature also make military collars ideal for training.

Function – Military collars are multipurpose. They still have space for a leash attachment and tags, but they also include Velcro spaces for nametags and other fun decorations.

And now you have a better idea of why we’re such fans of military collars, let’s get into our favorites!

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Our top picks
How we picked
How do I select the best military collar?
What is the best collar for a dog that pulls?
When to use a collar vs. a harness?
What collars do police dogs wear?

Our top picks

This begins our list of products. Add an intro sentence here, then begin listing each product.

Yunlep Adjustable Tactical Dog Collar

Best Overall

What can we say? It’s simply the best!

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Yunlep has crafted one of the most versatile and reliable tactical dog collars. The collar is made from a durable nylon. The material makes this collar extremely light, but also heavy-duty. You won’t have to worry about your dog breaking this collar, which includes a padded lining for extra comfort and safety.

We’re huge fans of the large control handle that accents the back of Yunleps military dog collar. The handle, which will vary in length depending on the size collar you purchase, makes training a breeze and controlling any wild puppers much safer.

Yunlep also includes a metal buckle and leash hook. Because plastic buckles can snap and break easily, the company matched the heavy-duty quality of the collar with heavy-duty buckles. You won’t have to worry about the collar breaking off or the leash ring snapping with these fantastic features.

Finally, we love all the little details that Yunlep has thought of in the designing of this collar. The adjustable collar, which comes in 3 different sizes, includes a line of Velcro around the entire collar. You can add patches and nametags so easily with this collar. And Yunlep offers different colors, so you can pick the one that matches your dog’s personality best.

Miles Tactical Dog Collar

Best for second choice

Second on the list, but first in our hearts.

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Miles Tactical has created one of the toughest military dog collars on the market today. The sleek, black material is a fine nylon webbing, which has been rated at 6,000 pounds! It’s so rare to see that type of durability in dog collars.

And to add to Miles Tactical dog collar durability, the collar includes a buckle that is made in Austria, rated to take up to 4,000 pounds of force. The two rings on the collar, one for leashes and the other for tags, are made of high-quality stainless steel. The collar also comes with a durable integrated control handle for training and restraint.

While Miles Tactical has crafted a beautiful collar, the one downside is they only come in two sizes. The company says each collar can be adjusted between two sizes, but the lack of variety does make finding just the right fit a bit difficult.

OneTigris Military Adjustable Dog Collar

Best on a Budget

It’s budget friendly, but still dependable.

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From $14.99 on Chewy

OneTigris created this simple, yet reliable, collar for those who don’t want to break the bank. The collar is made from nylon and includes a thick cushion to protect your dog’s neck. The metal buckles are strong and sturdy, so you don’t have to worry about anything snapping.

While this collar doesn’t include a handle, we still appreciate the 3 different size options. We can’t stress enough the importance of sizing your dog’s collar.

M1-K9 Big Military Dog Collar

Best for big dogs

A big collar for a big dog.

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M1-K9 has created a fantastic military dog collar that is specifically designed for bigger dog breeds. The collar goes up to 26 inches! The heavy duty collar is made from a light nylon and includes a black stainless steel D-ring.

With the purchase of this tactical collar, you’ll also receive a matching nylon leash, giving you complete confidence in the durability of your collar and leash setup.

Excellent Elite Spanker Tactical Dog Collar

Best for small dogs

Light, but still durable for smaller necks

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Military, tactical dog collars are most often associated with larger dogs. But, Excellent Elite Spanker has crafted a durable collar perfect for smaller breeds. The collar is made from the same light nylon material found in larger collars and includes a metal buckle and D-ring. The collar is padded and has an ID panel, as well as a control handle.

OneTigris Tough Adjustable Tactical Dog Collar

Best “style” option

Who knew tactical could be so stylish?

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While it’s difficult to find truly ‘stylish’ military collars, they are after all designed to be tactical, we’ve found one that has a little more flare. The OneTigris Adjustable Tactical collar has an added little panel to give your dog an extra dapper look.

The OneTigris collar still hits all the important marks for a military collar: Heavy-duty material, metal rings, and a handle. But that little flap just adds something extra.

Bobipaw Military Dog Collar

Best with nametag

If you like it, you should’ve put your name on it.

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Coming in a range of sizes, Bobipaw made a fantastic military collar that comes with a customizable Velcro nametag. The collar is made from nylon, has metal buckles and a D-ring, and a thick lining. What sets this collar apart is instead of having to purchase a tag separately, you can purchase both together, saving you time and keeping your dog properly labeled from the start.

Vicyuns Tactical Dog Collar

Also a great choice

Another day, another collar.

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Vivyuns comes in three different sizes, so you can find just the right fit for your fur baby. The military collar also comes with all our favorite features, including a handle for training, a durable metal hook for the leash, and a heavy-duty clasp.

Diezel Dog Collar with Control Handle

Also a great choice

This collar is all about control.

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Our favorite feature of the Diezel Dog Collar is the control handle keeper. Yes, Diezel has included all the features we need in a military collar, nylon material, metal buckles, and a padded collar, but the fact you can secure the handle makes a huge difference. Adding this simple feature prevents anything from being caught on the handle when it’s not being used.

Bobipaw Heavy Duty Dog Collar

Also a great choice

Another customizable option!

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Bopipaw has another fantastic military collar, this one with an added bonus: A customizable nametag option. The adjustable band makes sizing easier, even with 3 different size options already included. Plus, this fantastic collar comes with a gift option: A whistle or clicker!

JiePai Military Dog Collar

Also a great choice

Last, but definitely not least

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The JiePai tactical dog collar is one of the simplest options on our list. The fabric is still our favorite lightweight nylon and it includes give adjustable points for each of its 3 sizes. The buckle and D-ring are made of metal, so they’re less likely to break. However, there’s no padding in this collar, just two thin layers of nylon. Plus, it doesn’t include a control handle.

How we picked — About our selection process

At The Pets Master, we don’t take recommendations lightly. If we’re going to curate a list of recommendations for pet owners and dog lovers, we will do the research and come up with the best options. And we wouldn’t recommend anything we wouldn’t use on our own pets.

We also try to be transparent about our choosing process, so you know exactly why each item made it on our list.

Material

Nylon has proven to be the most effective material for durable, tactical military collars. Not only is webbed nylon extremely strong, it’s also very light. The combination of durable and light made finding nylon military collars a priority for us.

Buckles

We made sure all our military collars included heavy-duty metal buckles or D-rings. There is no point in having a durable collar if your attachments snap at the first sign of pressure? Durability and longevity are priorities for us when it comes to buckles on your military dog collar.

Sizes

At The Pets Master, we’re constantly talking about the importance of sizing your dog’s collar correctly. An ill-fitting collar can lead to so many problems and injuries. When looking at military dog collars, we made sure there were varying sizes available and that specific measurements were available for those sizes.

How do I select the best military collar?

To select the best military collar for you and your dog, take some time to figure out what features are most important to you. Once you have a better idea of what you’ll need, set a price range.

Finally, browse our list of the best military and tactical dog collars to find the one that matches the features you need and falls within your price range.

What is the best collar for a dog that pulls?

We recommend purchasing a harness if you have a dog that tends to pull on their leash.

Pulling on a collar can result in injuries to your dog’s throat. However, with a harness, the weight of the pulling is distributed across a dog’s back, preventing injuries. We prefer harnesses with front clips, so whenever our dog pulls, they’re pulled sideways or back to facing us.

Browse our list of recommended hiking harnesses and escape proof harnesses.

When to use a collar vs. a harness?

Collars are ideal for holding your dog’s ID tags. And if you have a calm dog that doesn’t pull or slip out during walks, you can even use a collar to attach the leash.

However, most of the times, especially if you’re going on long walks, experts recommend a harness. Harnesses, especially those with front rings, spread any pulling weight across the body of your dog. And with a front ring, you get more leverage if your dog tries to run off.

What collars do police dogs wear?

There are usually a variety of collars K9 dogs will wear throughout the course of their training and careers. Often, e-collars are used for police dogs as they’re being trained. However, once they’re in the field, police dogs will usual wear a military, tactical dog collar combined with a heavy-duty harness.