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.

Is he just having a whinge or is he seriously distressed? I would worry about creating separation anxiety if he's actually really upset as opposed to moaning.

It's all gone quiet....

Oh Christ @Wolfiefan don't say that. He's started again. Now I'm worrying.

Breathe!!
He could be simply trying it on.
But if he's properly scared to be alone then don't leave him alone. That's more likely to create separation anxiety.
It's so hard and there is no one size suits all. Mine is an anxious, mummy needing beastie.

How on earth do I know the difference!?

Wolfie pup would salivate, heart pounding, wet herself and eat her bed when I left her.
Is it a terrified sound or a gentle whinge?

It's yapping.

But if he's properly scared to be alone then don't leave him alone - he's not scared to be alone. He's fine when OP leaves him for an hour or two in the day. This is a new routine at night for him and he's protesting. That's all.

OESD - put your ear plugs in and go to sleep.

So "I'm here. Where are you?"
Rather than "I'm terrified and I may actually die of fear if you don't come back RIGHT NOW!"
I wish dogs could actually speak. Although it could be interesting to hear the "squirrel, cat, treat, need a wee" stream of consciousness!

You have to do this sooner or later. You can't go on like this for months or years. Tonight might as well be the first night. He'll get used to it. It might take a few nights, but he will get used to it.

Annoyingly I couldn't find any! But I will try. Thanks @AgathaF.

Cotton wool?
Yapping doesn't sound like he's petrified of being alone.
My girl would look like she was about to die of shock. Seriously. Not a bit of a whine or a yap.
Doesn't mean I don't try and avoid getting up in the night in case I wake her. Seriously. Never had a baby monitor for the kids. But do for the dog.

Yes, some tissue in your ears then, just to muffle it a bit.

Stay strong. He doesn't need anything, he's just pissed off. But he needs to learn to settle at night. For everyone's sake. You'll have him for a very long time so this needs to be done.

For tomorrow night - most chemists sell earplugs. Or Boots in the holiday section.

I'm hoping OP is asleep Agatha!

Me too. But not with the dog!

I can't talk. I did sleep next to the crate for weeks. But once she had learnt to settle and could sleep through I went back to bed.
We have anxiety/separation issues though. Yep me and the dog!

Still here. Dh is mentally filing for divorce. The sound is annoyed but repetitive. I don't think he's terrified.

I really want him to stop soon.

Went to the loo. He obviously heard me. Rhythm has changed. DH is murderous.

Ignore both of them.

Thank you. I'm trying!

I am at least now convinced that It's not a traumatised cry. Just very determined. He's got to run out of energy at some point surely?

Still going. I can feel dh shuffling as if he's about to say something... I am trying to be strong but I know dh is getting seriously pissed off.

Dh just declared that he is going to sleep in the garden. I pointed out that he would have to walk past the crate thus nullifying the last 4hrs.

The movement and conversation have reduced the yapping to quiet whimpering.

YOU CAN DO THIS 💪

He stopped for half an hour then started again.