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The doghouse

Puppy whines at night. Help!

17 replies

fessmess · 30/12/2016 07:02

Pup is 11 weeks and spent first 3 weeks sleeping on blanket in our room. She started getting on bed so felt it was time to move her to crate in lounge at night with me or dh sleeping beside on sofa. All good for 3-4 nights. However, last night I tried closing door ( we are closing it during day for short periods) and she whined, barked and scrabbled at door. After a few mins I took her out for a wee (she did nothing) then REFUSED to go back in. She slept on floor, then back in crate of own accord at some point.

Any previous experience from anyone on how long she would whine for? Any tips? I am desperate to sleep in my own bed, with dh and no dog. Thanks.

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fessmess · 30/12/2016 07:16

It is early I know!!

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llangennith · 30/12/2016 07:19

You probably know you made a mistake by not having her sleeping arrangements in place from day one but still time.
Her crate is her bed, her sanctuary at all times. It should be plenty big enough for her to stretch out in. At night put her in and shut the crate door. Cover it with a blanket or dark cloth and leave her to it. Maybe put a large very soft furry toy in the crate. She may whine a few nights but do not go down to her.
Buy earplugs!

fessmess · 30/12/2016 07:29

Thanks. Am wondering whether we just need to toughen up. Yes, I wish we had her in lounge from day one but the power of hindsight eh?

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pklme · 30/12/2016 07:33

Alternatively, crate her in the bedroom. When she is used to it, move the crate gradually further away until it is downstairs.

twofloorsup · 30/12/2016 07:38

We used to fill a kong toy with peanut butter to tempt her in the cage so she was always happy to go to bed , and I wrapped her pillow in a t shirt I'd worn so she had my scent. Within two nights she was settled.

fessmess · 30/12/2016 09:07

Thanks

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BiteyShark · 30/12/2016 09:19

You do need to get tougher unfortunately with the crying. If you know your puppy does not need the toilet and is safe in the crate then they are just crying for attention. Give them 15-30 mins to settle themselves down. If you do need to take them out to toilet do not speak but put them down to do their business and then back in crate with no fuss.

I did this with my puppy and my heart was in my throat with the crying and I can tell you I felt horrible but yes he settled within 15-30 mins and within a couple of days just accepted it was sleep time and now takes himself to his crate if he is tired without me putting him in it.

Imavinoops · 30/12/2016 09:25

We had this problem with our puppy who used to sleep up with us. After a while she started charging around the house at night and destroying anything she could get her little teeth on (NEVER her blimmin' chew toys mind!)

We had to get rather tough with her and ignore her crying (broke my heart at the time!) We put her crate into our bedroom and put her in to sleep every night. She got the idea within a week and happily slept in the crate. We then moved her into the living room downstairs which she was able to cope with rather well and now sleeps in the crate through the whole night and doesn't whine or cry at all! (And also can't tear around the house at 2am! )

fessmess · 30/12/2016 10:14

Thank you. These replies are encouraging, which is what I need to hear.

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BiteyShark · 30/12/2016 10:40

Oh a tip I used was to use my stop watch on my phone to time how long the crying lasted for. When they start it breaks your heart and what seemed like an eternity was actually quite short. I had read that puppy's should settle themselves within 15-30 mins and he did so it was reassuring to time him and each time it got shorter and now he is ok. This is also useful if u need to go into the room he is in to time a silence so you can make sure you give them several mins of being quiet before you go to them so they don't associate crying with you returning.

LilCamper · 30/12/2016 12:05

You do not need to get tough. It has actually been proven that leaving a pup to cry it out' can create separation issues.

Put the crate in the bedroom with you so you can reassure the pup.

dotdotdotmustdash · 30/12/2016 14:47

then they are just crying for attention

Of course puppies cry for attention during the night, in the same way that babies and small children cry for human contact when they wake up. It's obvious to young mammals that they're alone and vulnerable and want to make sure there is adult protection around. You're not spoiling a young mammal by giving them necessary reassurance. As they get older they'll feel more secure and need you less.

Bring the crate into your bedroom and reassure her that you're there when she wakes up, that's all she needs.

Wolfiefan · 30/12/2016 14:55

We have a 14 week old pup. She sleeps in her crate. When she was sleepy I put her in there. But slept near her. Near enough that she could hear me. If she was upset I moved so she could see me then shuffled away when she was asleep.
In the day. I can't leave her. At all. Or she gets REALLY upset. I'm working on this. Lots of wandering in and out of the room. Getting her used to me being about but not holding her or interacting with her all the time.
It's bloody hard and I'm tired BUT she came from a huge litter, has left her mum and been taken from the only home she has ever known. She's a baby. If she needs me then so be it. I will leave her. VERY gradually. It's a bit better now. But we have a long way to go. I can't distract her with a kong and refuse to leave her to get in a state (drooling and heart pounding etc)

fessmess · 30/12/2016 16:05

Thank you. I am sleeping beside her, it's just the door shutting she doesn't like.

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TrionicLettuce · 30/12/2016 16:13

I'd recommend having a read of this guide to crate training. If she's objecting to the door of the crate being shut then you've moved too fast with the training and need to take it back a bit to where she's comfortable before building up to shutting the door again.

fessmess · 30/12/2016 16:17

That's interesting Wolfe, maybe we'll try that. During the day she has got a lot better at being left on her own for very short periods of time. I'm feeling a little overwhelmed and just want my life back. I love her but, Jesus a newborn baby is easier by a mile.

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Wolfiefan · 30/12/2016 16:24

You're doing better than me. I can't leave mine for more than a few seconds at the moment. She had decided to crate herself whilst I ate dinner but last night she had a hissy fit, dug up her bed and did a wee in the crate. Back to the start.
My motto at the moment is this too will pass. I'm trying to convince myself that all the hard work will pay off with a happier and better behaved adult dog!
YY to baby being easier. They may cry but won't eat the kitchen if you leave them!

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