My feed
Premium

Please
or
to access all these features

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

The doghouse

Help please! What do I do when my puppy wakes at stupid o'clock in the morning?

12 replies

suburbandream · 25/02/2012 09:07

We have had our pup 2 weeks now, he's 11 weeks old. He's been in the crate at night since day one, and also sleeps happily in there during the day. For the first few nights he'd wake around 1am for a toilet break and settle fairly well, and on a few occasion has actually gone until 5.45-6am which I can cope with!

BUT what do I do when like last night he wakes at 4.45 and is ready to start the day? I kept the lights low (just has a night light on in the kitchen) but he just wouldn't settle. He was yawning and would creep back to his cushion in the crate, but every time I tried to leave he would cry. All the books say not to go back to the dog, so eventually I left him and he whined, cried and howled till DH got up at 6 Sad. He would whine etc for a while, then stop, then start up again just when we thought he'd gone back to sleep.

How could I have handled this better - or do I just accept that if he's slept from 10.30 to 4.45 that's as much as I can hope for at this age?? Any advice much appreciated! Needless to say he's fast asleep in his crate now while I try to get on with the day half comatose Smile

OP posts:
Report
suburbandream · 25/02/2012 10:32

Hopeful bump! Smile Is it really only 10.30? Been up so long it feels like it must be at least tea time by now

OP posts:
Report
MrsJasonBourne · 25/02/2012 11:23

Put some earplugs in and go back to sleep.

All you are teaching him when you constantly jump at his command is that it's time to get up. Seriously.

Report
minimuu · 25/02/2012 11:58

I am all for positive training BUT this is one area that I harden my heart and ignore.

Any barking or whining ignore, (maybe mention to the neighbours what you are doing) but in three days max it will stop.

If he does wee or poo ignore that as well you coming into the room needs to be happy calm and when he is not whining or barking.

He will get the hang of it very quickly indeed. Smile

Many people advocate sleeping with the puppy, or having the dog in room with them but I feel it is quicker and easy for the puppy to adjust if you start off as you mean to go on. They learn very quickly!

Report
suburbandream · 25/02/2012 12:31

Thanks for replying - I thought you'd say ignore, I must be stronger! It's so hard though when you are worrying about the DCs (and not to mention the neighbours) being disturbed. I just wanted to make sure I wasn't being unrealistic. I don't mind getting up at 6am (although I'd prefer not to) but 4.45 is not even anywhere near morning as far as I'm concerned Smile

OP posts:
Report
ajandjjmum · 25/02/2012 12:37

It's like having a baby again, isn't it?!!

Our puppy is 16 weeks old now, but we did ignore any crying. When he first woke us, we'd go down and let him out, but then immediately back into bed, lights off etc. We had a couple of nights where he cried for maybe half an hour or so, and we felt really hard hearted just ignoring him, but it really did work.

Good luck!

Report
suburbandream · 25/02/2012 12:43

I think the problem this morning was that I kept going back in - my own fault! I should have just settled him back in and left, but because he whined I went back into the kitchen and tried to settle him. Of course, each time I went in the whines got louder !!! Good thing he is such a cutie, I can't ever really be cross with him when I look at his sweet little puppy face Grin

OP posts:
Report
MrsJasonBourne · 25/02/2012 12:48

He will walk all over you for the rest of his life. Grin

It is hard but you must be consistant. He has got to learn that whining does not get what he wants. We were hard for the first two nights with our old Boy when he was tiny enough to hold in one hand (long ago!) and I swear he has never had any kind of night anxiety ever since.

Good luck. You'll be so grateful when he sleeps through the night!

God it is just like babies isn't it?

Report
suburbandream · 25/02/2012 12:51

Thanks everyone, Looks like I'm off to buy earplugs then Wink

OP posts:
Report
yesbutnobut · 25/02/2012 14:40

I followed the advice that said, when you go into the kitchen in the morning, ignore the dog. Open the blinds, put the kettle on, get your keys ready for the back door - all before acknowledging the dog, and when you do just say good morning calmly. It's worked for me as pup now sits in her bed looking up expectantly but not going crazy. She then has to wait while I feed the cats (well, they were here first).

Report
wildfig · 25/02/2012 17:00

Another ignorer here. The first night we left our dog to sleep on her own (she was three, and used to sleeping with other dogs) she howled so heartbreakingly I lay awake in tears all night. The second night, she kept it up for an hour. The third night, all I could hear was snoring.

The puppy cried for one night, but big dog probably told him to STFU and he was fine after that. You could try leaving the radio on for him?

Report
PeanutButterChocolate · 26/02/2012 00:30

Sorry for minor hijack but is it better to have puppy in your room or leave him in the kitchen by himself (either way, in his crate)? We're expecting puppy #2 in a few weeks and I want to start off on the right foot. Older dog (3yrs) sleeps in a basket in our room so not sure where to put pup...

Report
suburbandream · 26/02/2012 06:42

Hi Peanut, I'm sure the experts will be along in a bit - not sure what you'd do since you also have the other dog to think of ... well my good news is that by some minor miracle pup slept till 6am with no disturbances Smile. The only downside is that I haven't had to test my powers of resistance so must stay resolved to ignore the cries if they happen tonight!!

OP posts:
Report
Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.