16wks - surely I should be allowed to sleep now?

[OldEnglishSheepDog]

I'm honestly at the end. Pup has slept through ONCE since we got him. When he wakes for a wee it can take an hour to resettle him. Much of the time I find myself sleeping on the sofa with him on my lap.

I'm currently stood in the living room afraid to move as he will start whining the moment I do. I am on the fb page everyone recommends and am following advice.

Can't fit crate upstairs so to be with him means being downstairs. Stopped bedding down on the sofa a couple of weeks ago as it felt like I was creating an expectation.

I have woken up in my own bed once since I got him. He is taken out around 10pm and settles reasonably quickly, it's when he wakes that us the problem.

Right now, despite all the planning, I am wishing we'd never got him. I am clearly incapable of looking after him and he can't be happy to be whining this much. It's not his fault but I don't know how to fix it.

Why is cruel to deny that to some mammals and not to others?

That's your opinion of cruelty. Not everyone shares that opinion and lots of people like OESD stay with their puppy initially before sleeping elsewhere.

I had read the thread, and I mainly depressed by the other posters who have commented. I do acknowledge that the pup is older now, but it's not been a smooth process for the OP in her desire to leave the dog alone downstairs has it?

Why can't I use emotive language about dogs? Why does it have to harsh and clinical? Aren't we talking about vulnerable young individuals and their treatment?

Chocolate everyone on this thread has been supportive of the OP. Even posters that would do it differently have supported, offered advice and suggestions.

I find it depressing that you feel the need to come on here and use words like cruelty. I guess the majority of dog owners should expect the RSPCA to come knocking on their doors to be charged with cruelty and neglect for making their puppies sleep in the kitchen?

Why can't I use emotive language about dogs?

You can. I'm just not sure that in THIS scenario where there is already a lot of emotion involved that adding more is going to help anyone.

It's a dog not a human baby and there Is a big difference regardless of what some people - sorry ONE PERSON, may think

Just came back on to say ,good luck for tonight op.i hope however you do things you get some much deserved sleep xx💐

OESD, hope tonight brings some rest.

Thanks all. And, for the record, there's been lots of advice here which I have read with gratitude. If I didn't follow some it's because I didn't think it would work in my specific situation.

We all love our dogs; we just have different ways of managing them.

Peace and love yeah?

Yep. And all dogs are different.
For instance lots of people say to bring the pup to your bedroom. Giant pup can't do stairs in case of joint damage and we have cats that need to be able to escape.
Hoping for peace and sleep tonight!

So for those of you tuning in for the night shift... Pup took himself to his crate around 8pm after being denied the sofa (it was a half-hearted attempt on his part). Took him out for a wee just after 10pm. He nearly fell back asleep out there but finally produced a massive wee and took himself straight to the crate.

I have come upstairs and he barked for around 5 minutes - not distressed I don't think. He has now stopped....

DH has his earplugs. I am still in the office as that way he won't have to put up with my comings and goings.

I feel a bit more in control.

Good for you. Sounds hopefully like pup is accepting this is how things are. Not a tiny puppy. Not bothered by being left during the day. Hope the routine helps. There's a reason sleep deprivation is used as a form of torture. I remember being so tired with Wolfie pup that I was almost hallucinating.

First get up of the night at 4.30am (very good). Taken out on lead - no wee.

We are probably going to go back and forth a bit as he probably does need one by now but there will be no sofa cuddles until the alarm goes off.

That's such an improvement from a few nights ago. Well done

Keep at it and soon both of you should settle into a nighttime routine.

Huge improvement. So glad you're getting some sleep.

Great stuff!

Fantastic stuff!! Well done :)

Well done! Consistency is the key👍

Woop woop 🙌 doing fab old

Brilliant! You're in control, pup is a quick learner - I suspect this has just been a blip at the start of a long and happy life together.

Morning all! So we did have a few goes - he didn't do a wee and finally tried to curl up in his little wee pen to go to sleep! So I put him back in the crate, he whined for a bit and then WENT BACK TO SLEEP! Unfortunately DS got up half an hour later and woke him up (typical). Pup barked until the alarm at which point I went down with a big cheery "good morning!" and we had lovely bouncy cuddles and play.

After breakfast he jumped up to go on my lap so we sat at the dining room table having a cuddle which was nice, neither of us felt like we missed out.

We have just returned from an epic walk with DS which completely reminded me why having a dog is just lovely. We are fortunate enough to live in the middle of beautiful countryside so he got to bound about off lead while DS ran ahead. Most importantly, I don't feel like he hates me this morning!

It was interesting that he didn't actually wee at 4.30am. Makes me think that it's habit more than need. I'm not sure I should stop going just yet but it's reassuring that he's heading towards completely dry nights.

That's wonderful. Both pup and you must be so much happier now you've got clear boundaries and rules for nighttime.

He's was in overtired toddler mode previously - he's not a little tiny baby now.

Will do an update tonight but this is his "please sir, can I have some more?" face.

Very cute

Hi OP, glad things are more positive now. Try and be firm with the boundaries. You should be able to leave him secure in the knowledge that he has everything that he needs on a physical level. His barking is frustration and boredom. You have to teach him that nighttime is rest time. Keep us updated!

Lots of whining tonight. Went in his crate but sounds distressed so taking him out on lead. He's back in now and quiet but not completely settled. I won't break any of my new rules but I am going to hang about down here for a few minutes until he seems calmer.