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Original poster

Puppy problems

32 replies

JetFin · 13/10/2025 21:08

Ok so my puppy is 8 months old now and still won't sleep upstairs with me and his brother, he freaks out and stresses and shakes uncontrollably. Any help please

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Original poster
JetFin · 14/10/2025 17:18

Wolfiefan · 14/10/2025 13:43

It would work. I use a large whelping pen for my puppy wolfhounds.
Folding single bed for me.
Do you have littermates?

No i don't, I have an older lurcher who jets infatuated with lol

OP posts:
Wolfiefan · 14/10/2025 16:35

I love that Lakie.
OP the issue is he isn’t happy upstairs. You won’t make him happy up there by forcing him to sleep there.
what other animals do you have?

LakieLady · 14/10/2025 14:56

JetFin · 14/10/2025 10:31

Because he can't be trusted on his own he steals and destroys anything he can find

I got some great advice from a dog trainer on this point once.

When they get hold of stuff they shouldn't have and trash it, they recommended rolling up a nice substantial newspaper into a solid cylinder.

Then, you beat yourself over the head with it while chanting "I must not leave stuff out where the dog can get it", over and over again until you've learned your lesson.

Wolfiefan · 14/10/2025 13:43

It would work. I use a large whelping pen for my puppy wolfhounds.
Folding single bed for me.
Do you have littermates?

Original poster
JetFin · 14/10/2025 13:20

PullingOutHair123 · 14/10/2025 10:53

Have you tried a play pen? You can get them for puppies that fold away when you don't want it. We had one for our lab when tiny. He had a bed and water in there with a couple of toys, and when he was getting tired and bitey during the day I could put him in there (and he normally would be asleep 2 seconds later).

They are more open than a crate (although we used that too at night) but without the possibility of of wrecking your things during the night?

Hes an 8 month lurcher so is 25inches it's already and can jump about 5foot lol so as lovely as it would be it would never work

OP posts:
Scampuss · 14/10/2025 10:55

Are they actually brothers/littermates? If so, are you aware of littermate syndrome?

PullingOutHair123 · 14/10/2025 10:53

OrigamiOwls · 14/10/2025 10:51

Can you try a large pen downstairs? Not as restrictive as a crate, but will still stop him accessing other areas

Sorry - cross posted!

PullingOutHair123 · 14/10/2025 10:53

Have you tried a play pen? You can get them for puppies that fold away when you don't want it. We had one for our lab when tiny. He had a bed and water in there with a couple of toys, and when he was getting tired and bitey during the day I could put him in there (and he normally would be asleep 2 seconds later).

They are more open than a crate (although we used that too at night) but without the possibility of of wrecking your things during the night?

OrigamiOwls · 14/10/2025 10:51

Can you try a large pen downstairs? Not as restrictive as a crate, but will still stop him accessing other areas

BournardTourney · 14/10/2025 10:50

Do you shut bedroom doors? I have had dogs who like to sleep in bedroom, dogs who like to sleep in landing and dogs who like to be shut it kitchen with dog beds and blankets everywhere.
See where they prefer to sleep during the day and try make that their space or corner at night even if it means putting out dog beds as you’re getting ready for bed.
I know what you mean about finding things - they will probably settle and stop foraging when the novelty of being downstairs at night wears off. See if any dog experts are local or online that give sleeping advice- what breed is your puppy?

Original poster
JetFin · 14/10/2025 10:41

He steals and destroys everything, sorry please ask me questions i will answer best I can

OP posts:
Original poster
JetFin · 14/10/2025 10:41

ObtuseMoose · 14/10/2025 09:59

If he's sleeping downstairs without problems why can't you just leave him? If he wants to be with you at any point he'll come and find you.

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He steals and destroys everything, sorry please ask me questions i will answer best I can

OP posts:
SpiritedFlame · 14/10/2025 10:40

In fairness I do feel you there. My labrador seems capable of getting things that I think are well out of her way! Then I come downstairs to find nope I was wrong.

I don't know what to suggest really but wondering if worth a vet visit and see if they can help? Maybe they will know a good behavioural dog therapist to work on his anxiety or I know it sounds silly but some dogs do actually have a dog version of fluoxetine! Hopefully though there will be something that can be done without medication especially as he is so young but it does sound very tricky right now and as much as we love them, we still do need to function!

Original poster
JetFin · 14/10/2025 10:36

Ive puppy proofed as much as I can believe me but my downstairs is kinda open plan and he keeps finding random things id never think of to rob lol, when he does eventually settle upstairs he's happy and just plays on his own downstairs he sleeps, I hate him being so distressed but sleeping downstairs is killing me as I only have a small sofa and both dogs apparently need to cuddle with me, I dont mind sleeping downstairs every now and then

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Original poster
JetFin · 14/10/2025 10:36

SpiritedFlame · 14/10/2025 10:15

I know they can be destructive especially at 8 months but if it is the only place he is happy, I would attempt to make the room he is happy to stay in as dog proof as possible. Most likely for a large chunk of the time he will just be sleeping. You could potentially get one of those dog camera's so when he does wake up, if he is not able to settle and begins to damage things you can intervene.

It's very tiring I know but he does sound distressed to be upstairs and his safe place is elsewhere.

I don't think you are necessarily going to be able to train him that upstairs is the safe place because it seems he likes his space vs wanting the company.

Ive puppy proofed as much as I can believe me but my downstairs is kinda open plan and he keeps finding random things id never think of to rob lol, when he does eventually settle upstairs he's happy and just plays on his own downstairs he sleeps, I hate him being so distressed but sleeping downstairs is killing me as I only have a small sofa and both dogs apparently need to cuddle with me, I dont mind sleeping downstairs every now and then

OP posts:
Wolfiefan · 14/10/2025 10:34

So you sleep downstairs for now

Original poster
JetFin · 14/10/2025 10:31

Because he can't be trusted on his own he steals and destroys anything he can find

OP posts:
Original poster
JetFin · 14/10/2025 10:31

ObtuseMoose · 14/10/2025 09:59

If he's sleeping downstairs without problems why can't you just leave him? If he wants to be with you at any point he'll come and find you.

Show quote history

Because he can't be trusted on his own he steals and destroys anything he can find

OP posts:
Original poster
JetFin · 14/10/2025 10:29

Ive took toys and bones and bones up for him, I cuddle him the whole time, ive even sang to him thinking my voice might help. The only place he will sleep without problems is downstairs but there's no way I can leave him on his own there

OP posts:
SpiritedFlame · 14/10/2025 10:15

I know they can be destructive especially at 8 months but if it is the only place he is happy, I would attempt to make the room he is happy to stay in as dog proof as possible. Most likely for a large chunk of the time he will just be sleeping. You could potentially get one of those dog camera's so when he does wake up, if he is not able to settle and begins to damage things you can intervene.

It's very tiring I know but he does sound distressed to be upstairs and his safe place is elsewhere.

I don't think you are necessarily going to be able to train him that upstairs is the safe place because it seems he likes his space vs wanting the company.

AutumnCosy2025 · 14/10/2025 10:08

JetFin · 14/10/2025 09:54

Ive took toys and bones and bones up for him, I cuddle him the whole time, ive even sang to him thinking my voice might help. The only place he will sleep without problems is downstairs but there's no way I can leave him on his own there

Why not if he's happy there?

Bundleflower · 14/10/2025 10:03

JetFin · 14/10/2025 09:54

Ive took toys and bones and bones up for him, I cuddle him the whole time, ive even sang to him thinking my voice might help. The only place he will sleep without problems is downstairs but there's no way I can leave him on his own there

You’re not really giving much information which makes it quite hard to give suggestions.
If he sleeps downstairs without problems then why can’t you leave him there?

ObtuseMoose · 14/10/2025 09:59

JetFin · 14/10/2025 09:54

Ive took toys and bones and bones up for him, I cuddle him the whole time, ive even sang to him thinking my voice might help. The only place he will sleep without problems is downstairs but there's no way I can leave him on his own there

If he's sleeping downstairs without problems why can't you just leave him? If he wants to be with you at any point he'll come and find you.

Original poster
JetFin · 14/10/2025 09:54

Ive took toys and bones and bones up for him, I cuddle him the whole time, ive even sang to him thinking my voice might help. The only place he will sleep without problems is downstairs but there's no way I can leave him on his own there

OP posts:
Original poster
JetFin · 14/10/2025 09:52

Hes fine in his crate when I go out, and he loves going upstairs to bed bit as soon as he realises we are going to bed he starts shaking uncontrollably and crying, he does try to sleep but can't seem to stop shaking

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