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

1 2

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

The doghouse

Please help - night 1, 2 and 3 he cried on and off. Night 4 he cried louder, longer and pooped in his crate...

47 replies

Leapoffaith00 · 30/10/2019 09:23

We have an 8 week cockapoo. He was used to being created with his brothers and sisters. He appeared to be ok going in and out of it when he came home, even slept in it for little naps. We have let him play in it. I have a pen for night time with puppy pads. He wasn't even using them on the first few nights as we took him out regularly for a wee and a poop. Then straight away at 5.30am. Settled him at 10.30.
I'm going back to work Monday and my dad is popping in to see him. I'm worried about him crying to the extent of pooping again. He was covered in it and I have completely washed everything in his crate this morning and he has had a bath.
What do I do? I am just clueless to know what to do for the best.

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Branleuse · 30/10/2019 09:30

He was used to being with other dogs. He is terrified and lonely. Is he even in the same room as you?

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Leapoffaith00 · 30/10/2019 09:32

No, he is downstairs. I wouldn't mind if he slept upstairs but there is no room at all for a crate and pen.

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dancemom · 30/10/2019 09:38

Are you planning on leaving him alone all day?

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Leapoffaith00 · 30/10/2019 09:43

No, my dad is calling in on the days I work (3days) and my 2 dd's are home at 3pm. I'm off 4 out of 7 days so will be home.
I just don't know how to approach this now. I want to do the right thing for him but I don't want to crate desperation anxiety as he will be left at times.

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beenrumbled · 30/10/2019 09:48

Was last night his first night with you? What advice did the breeder give for settling? You may need to see if there is anyway you can re organise your upstairs so the crate can come up overnight.

He will need someone with him most of the day for the next few weeks/months - for house training etc. Is your dad going to be spending a few hours each day at your house?

Speak to your vet or a dog trainer for advice. You might find some information on the Dogs Trust Dog School website.

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Leapoffaith00 · 30/10/2019 09:52

Yes, my dad will call in and spend time here. I'm putting puppy pads down in a pen. I know this will prolong training but I don't have a choice as I have to work. On my days off I will train him. It will be slower but I'm sure it will be ok as I have read that.
I might have to sleep on the sofa as there is no room upstairs to rearrange furniture otherwise I would definitely do this.

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Leapoffaith00 · 30/10/2019 09:53

Ps thankyou will ask. Do vets mind giving free advice?

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Lougle · 30/10/2019 09:54

Are you planning to leave your 8 week old puppy for several hours? That's not a good idea, tbh. Could your Dad have the puppy at his house on the days you work?

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AnnaFiveTowns · 30/10/2019 09:55

So you're thinking of leaving him in the crate when you go back to work? Or have I got this wrong.

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AnnaFiveTowns · 30/10/2019 09:56

If so, you really should not have got a puppy in he first place.

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Keepaddingpets · 30/10/2019 10:00

Most dog trainers don't recommend using puppy pads as it send them a mixed message like it's fine to wee in the house sometime - they don't understand the rules.

Also make their nighttime crate really small. If the crate is big then they will often poo in it especially at the other end to their bed. A small crate - just enough for them to lie down will help with that. Obviously for daytime the crate needs to be bigger but again if crated for long periods during the day it will just confuse the poor pup.

Puppies need almost co stand supervision at that age. Think you're going to struggle and it's not fair on the dog.

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Leapoffaith00 · 30/10/2019 10:01

I would really appreciate some advice re the question....
Puppy will be home from 8.30 -3pm so 6 hours. My dad will call in and spend a couple of hours at 10.30 - 12.30. So pup will be alone 2 hours alone with a pen and crate left open. Puppy pads. That's 2 days a week. 3rd day he will go to my older daughters house for the day as she doesn't work a Friday.
I have made the right decision to get a puppy. That's your opinion. I would really appreciate some helpful advice re the question I have asked.

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beenrumbled · 30/10/2019 10:04

My vet is happy to chat and give what advice he can - but we have a good relationship with him. What did your vet say when you took him for his first puppy check?

Several vets in our area offer puppy socialisation groups, and give advice there. There is a charge for that though most people feel its been worth it, and just meant a bit more spent on the training side they had already planned for, classes etc when the dog is older.

Have you spoken to the breeder about your concerns and how distressed the pup was? Most decent breeders will be able to give you some hints and tips.

But to avoid any issues you may need to speak to a qualified behaviourist/trainer - especially as you are concerned about separation anxiety and have to go back to work so soon.

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Lougle · 30/10/2019 10:05

"I'm going back to work Monday and my dad is popping in to see him. I'm worried about him crying to the extent of pooping again."

Your statement. He's an 8 week old puppy. Of course he's going to cry when he's left alone all day. You've answered your own question. We're telling you that your plan is not good for the dog. You can choose to disagree.

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beenrumbled · 30/10/2019 10:11

This might be helpful www.dogstrustdogschool.org.uk/behaviour/separation-anxiety/development-of-separation-anxiety/

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Leapoffaith00 · 30/10/2019 10:18

Ok, thanks for your post. I have spoken to many pet owners and this is common at the beginning. People have pups every day and work, some full time. That's why I'm here, posting, I am hoping to manage this without distress.
Thankyou, I will take a look. Appreciate your help.

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OrchidInTheSun · 30/10/2019 10:20

You cannot housetrain a puppy if you leave it alone for long periods

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Leapoffaith00 · 30/10/2019 10:24

11beenrumbled just read that and it's helpful. Thankyou

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YogaDrone · 30/10/2019 10:31

We took leave when we first got our puppy and after that initial period one of us worked from home each day so the puppy was never alone.

The first few nights she cried in her crate and one of us ended up sleeping on the sofa in the same room. That seemed to be all she needed to settle. We ended up sleeping on the sofa bed for several weeks until eventually she took herself off to her bed in the utility room and that's where she's slept ever since.

Most people I know crack and puppy ends up sleeping in their bedroom But that's a hard habit to then crack.

You can't leave a puppy for several hours at a time in the early days though OP. You'll never get him/her housetrained and they love to chew things so you'll come home to a wrecked house!

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Warmhandscoldheart · 30/10/2019 10:31

Cover the crate with a blanket leaving only the door end visible, some dogs feel more secure in dens.

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Leapoffaith00 · 30/10/2019 11:10

Thankyou - he has a pen with puppy pads. I don't have a choice, I need to work. I work part time so 4 out of 7 I'm home to train. I have read it just takes longer.
I haven't been for a health check yet. That's on the 24th November when he has vaccinations.
I might try sleeping down stairs.

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adaline · 30/10/2019 12:18

I'm sorry OP but I'm another that's saying that's far far too long to leave an eight week old puppy. Mine is nearly two and he still wouldn't cope with that amount of time alone each day.

We took a month off between us to settle ours down and then he went to daycare. He now spends the day with my FIL while we work so he has company and someone who can walk him or let him out to the toilet when he needs to go.

I think your plan to go back to work on Monday and leave an eight week old alone for that length of time is unachievable and massively unfair on the pup.

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Branleuse · 30/10/2019 12:44

So hes alone several hours in the day, and alone in a cage in another room all night long? You also expect him not to cry and not to shit himself.
Hes a baby. Im not sure whos interest this is in, cos its certainly not the dogs. First puppy?

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Branleuse · 30/10/2019 12:45

You can get older dogs that are far better at being left alone for a few hours. You are going to end up with a nightmare dog

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Nettleskeins · 30/10/2019 12:51

with regards to the night time crying, it might be better to have him sleep with you upstairs on your bed maybe, with no pen, and then when he whimpers, take him out straightaway. I found that the puppy slept for as long as it needed to, and only woke when he really needed not from any other sort of distress, because he felt safe and cosy with human company, and it actually helped with the toilet training. then in the day you could acclimitize him to sleep in his crate whenever you are in or out of the house, for set hours, sitting next to him at first to get him used to the crate and pen, and then awake playing for the time when your dad is going to come over, and the same on your days off. if you maximize the time spent with him when you are there and make his sleep time the time when you aren't there on those two days, it might work.

But tbh I wouldn't leave him in his crate overnight downstairs by himself because it will just make things worse. He needs a lot of human interaction the rest of the time if he is going to be by himself for two hours every morning and afternoon.

But my puppy did sleep two hours morning and afternoon - i was able to leave the house at those times by 16 weeks and not worry he was feeling lonely and scared because I knew he was settled, because I ha observed him behaving like that when I was IN the house, in another room.

tbh if you can just get your dad to come for longer or maybe have the puppy with him in his house it will be much better.

The first weeks are a bit of blur toilet training wise, but they get there in the end. I would just be much more concerned about your puppy being lonely and scared and needed interaction. They are like new babies and toddlers, you cannot train that need out of them.