Oh please help - I feel like a failure - new puppy has regressed!

[Kingsroadie]

Sorry everyone - me again! So...puppy is 9 weeks old today. He had a good day yesterday but as soon as my husband came home he weed only in the house. My husband was taking him outside and he wouldn't wee (I told him he needed to stay out longer and say "busy" to encourage the pup to go - which is what I do and he does wee). This morning he got up with the puppy and took him outside and he wouldn't wee again but just sat barking and so he brought him inside thinking he was starving and gave him breakfast. But as soon as he finished or halfway through he did a massive wee inside. I can see the problem is that my husband doesn't stay out for long enough but it seems the puppy is reluctant to wee for him and doesn't have a problem for me! (Again, I am at home all day so deal with him most of the time).

But the main thing I am a bit worried about is the night. After a few rough nights in the first few days (we have had him for 10 days) , he then slept 11-6/6:30. However, Sat night he woke at 3am (my husband got in then so clearly woke him up) and last night he woke at 5:15 ish barking his head off. He had done at least one wee in his crate, which he has never done before. He didn't bark during the night but I was up 3 times in the night with my daughter who was teething and can only think I was so shattered I didn't hear his initial barks and perhaps by the time we heard him it was too late? I just feel like it's a massive cock up (I have read from other threads that lots of pups do mess their crates a couple of times) and that I am a bad mother!

He did a poo but not a wee outside and then my husband put him back in crate where he barked for approx 30 mins. (Am starting to get concerned about the neighbours as they will definitely hear him!). He clearly didn't need the loo but wanted our attention and to get up. Anyway he eventually stopped and then woke barking at 6:30. This is confusing me as if in the day we want him to go in his crate and not bark yet in the morning we go to him when he bars surely it's mixed messages? Is the way forward to set an alarm once so I let him out around 4/5am for a wee then back in crate (when he will bark which I feel guilty about for the neighbours as he is very loud) and then another so that I go down to him at say, 6:20 before he wakes and barks? All the grown up dogs I know just wait in the morning until their owners go down (within reason) but am sure that's something that comes with age....

Sorry for the essay but just feeling a little despondent and confused! I am trying to do the best thing for him but just am not sure if it's working. Any help greatly appreciated - thanks a lot.

PS. Can he have small rawhide bones at this age?

Morning! So..... the night was no better really. . Well, slightly better. He slept until 5:10 then I could hear whining (Using a monitor). So not barking just starting to whine. I went down and let him out - wee and poo. Then back in crate with frozen kong with philly and puppy kong paste. He barked on and off for maybe 20 mins and then settled and I had an alarm for 7am. As I was getting up he started to make noise (I came in and ignored him until he was lying down calmly).

What I don't get it why he was able to hold it 11- 6:45 last week but now doesn't seem to be able to? I didn't hear a single sound from him until those times. One last thing I might try is covering him completely - when he slept through he was completely covered but I have left the front open recently in case he felt nervous as could hear noises but not see around him. His is in possibly the lightest area of the house though - next to the double doors to garden and under the velux windows in the side return.

Happymm - how was yours? Fine I imagine as yours sleeps through? (God it's actually like comparing newborn notes again!)

Kings read your first post and then read today's. It is much much better yes he got you up at 5.10 but at least he went out to wee/poo and then settled back down again - he didn't wee or poo in the crate!

I don't think it's going to be an exact science for a while unless you take the complete ignore until 7.00am approach. I can't do this as I lie awake upstairs worrying that she is desperate for the loo and worrying that she will wake my daughter so on the days she gets me up earlier. My puppy has been sleeping to about 6.45/7.00 but the last three days has progressively been getting me up earlier, this morning it was 6.00. I decided that's too early for me so took her out for wee/poo - she barely got out the back door before weeing so was obviously desperate then I put her breakfast in the crate and left her until 7.20. She whimpered for about 20 mins but settled again.

Spam - you are right actually - - good advice to read both posts!

Yes I do the same - worry that he is desperate for the loo, which he very likely is. And worry he will wake my daughter and piss the neighbours off even more! Was toying with the breakfast idea but he usually needs the loo not long afterwards so I didn't want to then be woken again by more barking as he needed a poo... If it were at 6 I probably would feed breakfast in crate but 5 - 7 is two hours and I think he would bark for the loo before then. Hence the frozen kong with not much in it. Perhaps I could put a little bit of kibble in there too so he isn't starving.

Remind me how old yours is again and what breed? (Sorry too lazy to search!) Thanks!

Morning! Puppy sleeps 10.30-6 before barking/howling to get out,then dashes outside v quick! Must admit we cover her crate completely soon light can get in, which seems to help-made a big difference,otherwise thought 4am was wake up time! She doesn't have breakfast till 7 or so though-doesn't seem particularly interested till then.

Right, today's ishooooooo! Have gate up,between kitchen and playroom, which has helped loads, thanks Spam! However, if I'm in there with the kids and she's on her own in kitchen, though can see us through gate, she stands barking and howling at the gate. Is not nice for my head! What should we do,ignore?

By the way Spam, keep banging on, as it's very helpful :o It's great coming on here with others in same position or been through it, and yes Kings, is just like comparing newborns, which I guess they are!

Maybe I should put him to bed a bit earlier as am staying up til at least 11 hoping he might sleep a bit later when I would rather be in bed at 10:30 (god that's so sad isn't it!?). I don't think it's working! Remembering, the nights he slept later we had completely covered the crate so will def try again with that tonight.

Happy - we also have that issue - if I leave him in kitchen/diner and go into the sitting room (open plan so only blocked a gate one one side (big gap with three steps up to sitting room) and a big bench cushion on the other side (where hall would have been) and two steps up) he climbs up the two/three stairs depending which side he is on and barks and whines. And he then can't get down the steps really yet. So I rarely go into that room unless he is asleep...

Agree Spam!

Happy? How was it?

We had a good night - he woke at 6:15 - woohoo! BUT I suspect he might have weed in his bed (no noise to tell me though) as he didn't wee first thing and his blanket seemed fairly wet. I used kitchen roll to try and absorb some though and it wasn't coming off yellow so he could just have slobbered everywhere which he sometimes does. I think this is unlikely though as surely he would need a wee after 7 hours without one. So that's a bit crap! Not sure why he is doing it.

On the plus side - I then gave him a stuffed frozen kong as above and I didn't hear from him until just now at 8am! Amazing - I was shattered so went straight back to sleep. I think I need to get to bed earlier than 11:30/12. I used to go to bed at around 10:30 (sometimes 10 if really tired) BP (Before Puppy).

How many meals are people feeding their pups at this age? I have been doing 4 but most people have looked a bit surprised (ones with dogs obv) and said they did 3. (Which might make the pooing slightly less frequent - we are having about 6 a day here

My puppy is on 3 meals a day, but went onto that at 12 weeks. She does about 3 poos a day. Good news re Kong!

Morning ladies, Kings that is brilliant :) well done you and good that you can go back to sleep for an hour or two, I can't as my daughter gets up at about 7.15/7.30 so on the days puppy gets me up at about 6.15 by the time I had taken her out for wee/poo etc I don't think it's worth going back to bed!

Well I got 12.00 - 6.55am today - seems she can go 7 hours but can't quite stretch to 8. I would really like her to go 11.00 - 7.00 - like you Kings I used to go to bed at 10.30 I need my sleep! We will see what happens over the coming weeks, maybe in time she will go a bit longer.

Kings to answer your other question she is a Parson Russell Terrier and is now 14 weeks and 2 days.

Re the food, I am going to post another thread about food as I am not sure either.

Happymm re the gate thing, personally I would ignore much like you would if he were in the crate and you were teaching her that crying doesn't get your attention. As long as she has some toys, something comfy to lie on and can see and hear you I would not react to the crying, if you need to come into the kitchen just come in, no fuss etc. We had a similar issue, and still do to be honest, if pup is shut in dining room either in or out of her crate whilst I pop upstairs or to the front door she doesn't whine or bark, however if she is shut in the kitchen and diner she barks and howls at the kitchen door! quite bizarre as she can hear exactly the same noise from either room.

Spam - thanks! . Yes I have a fairly odd daughter who doesn't wake properly until at leats 8 - am actually just going to get her up now.

Thanks re food advice Ellan. Yes that's what I had heard - 12 weeks for 3 meals. I might do a trial day today with 3 and see how it goes. What time does everyone feed last thing at night? I have been feeding quite late 8:30/9 on the basis that there is time after to poo before bed and that she will have a slightly fuller tummy which might help her last longer?!

Morning! Well...she's excelled herself last night. Went to bed at 10.30. I really can't stay up, so decided I'll go to bed rather than face late night and early morning.however, we dashed down in a panic this am as no noise by 7. She was all curled up still asleep bless her. Dashed out for business. Happy days. Glad things better for you last night Kings! Maybe our pups are getting it! :o

Oh happy am so jealous! Amazing for you...

Didn't mean to boast it's the one thing we're doing right at the moment :o

What time are you two feeding your pups? Maybe mine might go a bit longer if I fed her later? I am currently doing three meals, breakfast at 7.00, lunch about 12.30/1.00pm and dinner about 6.30 ish sometimes it's a bit earlier or later depending on what we are doing that day and when we are walking her etc. Should I maybe feed her about 8.30/9.00 do you think?

No not at all! You weren't - just like me boasting mentioning my training efforts...

Well, I have just decided to try three meals today. I fed him at 8 and am going to feed him again now and then again around 8/8:30. Someone mentioned it might help them have a fuller tummy at night time - maybe midori? She feeds her at 10 I think! Maybe try around 8/8:30 ish?

I feed our crocodile puppy at 7,12,5 then giving a wee little snacket at 9ish. Seems to help, as she has time to poo it out, but also has some in her tummy to see her through. Also we completely cover her crate so no light in at all. Think the sunshine was waking her before.

I feed mine (14.5 weeks) at the same time as happymm so 7, 12 and 5 (same time as my DS so I don't forget ha ha!!) Doesn't seem to affect the length of time she sleeps, which is 10.30-6.30/7am (that's when we get her up) She always does a poo before bed, that is to say I stand outside for what seems like forever until she blinking well does one!! Covering up the crate is a good idea too, with the mornings being so light.

Crate is fully covered and I have blacked out the utility windows as have never had blinds in there! I don't think the birds help, our garden is really really noisy, all day long birdsong gah!

I will feed her at about six then which is normal time and then give her a little snack later at 9.00 ish and just see what happens tomorrow, think if she cry's before 6.45 I will just leave her which I find so hard as I don't want her waking my daughter, although daughter seems to be able to sleep through anything.

That was Minimu's advice too. She said to just leave them and (eventually) they will get used to it. Fingers crossed! :o

Well guess who woke up who this morning

I was so tired last night and went to bed at 10.30 but hubby stayed up and watched film cuddling pup and took her out for a wee before he went to bed at 11.30 - so a bit earlier than the night before. I woke up at 5.30 - have been so used to only 6/7 hours sleep instead of 8! I layed in bed until 7.10 and then got up, she was very surprised to see me and still asleep!

Difference I hope is that I put a really dark duvet cover over the blankets on her crate to make sure there was definately no light coming through. She is currently in the utility and although I have put dark coverings up at the windows there is still light coming through the back door which is glass. I am going to leave her in the dining room tonight I think which is where she is during the day. Dining room is a lot darker so fingers crossed this will do the trick!

Oh and another thing, I fed her 7, 1, 6.30 and gave her a snack at about 9.00 - that might have helped as well...

Spam - yipee! How lovely.

We had quite a good night although were up late anyway so didn't put him to bed until 11:30ish. But he slept until 6:30, out to loo then back in with frozen kong and I came down at 8:20, no noise at all - . BUT he had weed in his crate again (when I came down at 6:30).

I might start another thread about it as he has done it every day (well, for past 2 days). He doesn't make any noise, just does it, but then yelps when he needs a poo. Not sure what to do - suppose I could either get up first and let him out or just leave him to it and he will hopefully grow out of it when his bladder gets bigger. But I don't want him to make a regular habit of it?!

TBH it's not really that much of a hassle to clear up so am not bothered in that respect and it gets me more sleep and he doesn't seem distressed but I know weeing in their bed isn't something they want to do particularly. He always does poos outside but had a few accidents yesterday with wees (my fault as was busy doing something else and wasn't watching, although door usually open).

Anyone have any thoughts?

We did 3 meals yesterday. 8, 2ish and 8/8:30 and he seemed fine with that...

I don't really have any advice about the weeing in crate but reading back through previous threads from more experienced dog owners it seems that they don't like doing it and shouldn't do it for long - he didn't do it yesterday though did he? I thought he did it the day before? Will have to go back and check your thread, did he wee before you came down or when you put him back in? If he had weed before you came down was he barking etc? maybe you just didn't get there in time...

He is still so little compared to mine who I know can go a bit longer, we even got her at 10 weeks which is older than yours is now I think? If he is going in his crate for an hour or two after you let him out in the morning I might be tempted to set the alarm for 6.00 let him out for wee/poo and then put him back until 8.00. You can gradually increase the time in ten minute increments over the next few weeks until you get him sleeping from 11.00 - 7.00. Not sure if this is the best advice but I think that maybe the route I would go down. I kind of wish I had done this but I never set and alarm before 7.00 hoping puppy would sleep right through but she just hasn't and I have let her become my alarm clock which I didn't want to happen!

She wasn't my alarm clock this morning and I hope it continues

Or you could go the whole hog and just ignore him until you want to get up -I am sure you have read the threads from minimu and midori who say a 9 week old pup can hold on and will learn not to wee/poo in their crate and I know that they are right, however I haven't been able to do this because of the sheer noise when pup gets going, I can't sleep and lay there worrying she is going to wake up daughter who desperately needs her sleep and I also of course worry about the poor pup needing the loo!

Although to be fair, I don't think I need to worry about her waking people up, usually my husband is snoring away beside me and daughter is snoring away in her bed - both oblivious

Hi Spam - thanks! Yes it was yesterday too. He hadn't done it before. The thing is, he doesn't bark or whine to let me know he needs a wee, he just wees.... So I have no idea if he needs it or not. I could try setting an alarm before 6:30 ish but I don't know when to set if for as I din't know when he wees. TBH I don't mind so much him weeing in the crate as it's not hard to clean and means I get more time in bed - selfish mother.

He is going back in fine with his kong, no fuss and this morning he hadn't made a sound and was asleep when I came down at 8:20 ish.

He has never pooed in his crate - that would be a bit of a different story I think!

And yes, he's only 9.5 weeks.