Puppy problems

[JetFin]

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

Maybe he would be happier in a bed or crate downstairs somewhere quite such as kitchen or hallway.

The doghouse forum on here is really useful is you post in there

Where would he rather sleep?

I tried the crate and he destroyed it

You’ve not really told us much yet. What have you tried and what has been the puppy’s reaction?

Sorry OP, do you mean pup won't sleep without you and his brother? As I saw you mention he destroyed the crate.

My dog I could not crate train either. I had successfully crate trained my previous dogs but my current one hates the crate and for all the games and training I have tried - nothing has persuaded her. I do worry actually if she needed crate rest but guess would have to cross that bridge if it came to it!

I feel your pain though. It can be extremely hard with a puppy and seeing them distressed is not nice.

crate training isn’t compulsory. Can you not give him a safe space to sleep? https://m.facebook.com/groups/dogtrainingadviceandsupport/?ref=share. This group is fantastic for advice.

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

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.

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?

Why not if he's happy there?

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 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

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

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

So you sleep downstairs for now

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

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

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!

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

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

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?

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

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?