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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Original poster

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

348 replies

OldEnglishSheepDog · 02/05/2018 03:50

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.

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yetAnotherNewName1000 · 05/05/2018 10:22

Well if it's working, perhaps it is the right thing to do. But i was going to post a warning that you could be setting yourself up for the dog developing separation anxiety, particularly when you posted the dog stopped eating as you went to leave and that it messed in the crate, both clear signs of SA, (NOT that the dog is playing you like a fiddle - dogs really don't have the mental capacity to forward plan, and be manipulative). All i would say is that if it were my dog, i would have him in the bedroom, (on the bed, if necessary). It won't be forever, as he matures and grows in confidence, you can keep him downstairs. And to be honest, when you're 'aheming', he'll probably be kicked off the bed and can wait quietly on the floor. Once a dog develops SA it is a real problem to fix...much better to spend the time now to prevent it.

Tinkobell · 05/05/2018 10:34

Very pleased to hear of a more positive night. I think we are all learning many hints and tips on this thread....I like the early eve grooming idea that's a very good one. We've just had a stint of 'water fun' in the garden which Cockapoo loved! Have a lovely day, relax and just accept they get there!

missbattenburg · 05/05/2018 10:37

Whoop! Whoop! Whoop!

Well done, OP. Here's hoping for more of the same... Grin

geekone · 05/05/2018 11:40

Well done and he is super cute.

SwimmingInTheBlueLagoon · 05/05/2018 14:52

🍾Yay! So how many hours was that?

Let's hope it continues and soon, he'll learn that once that alarm goes the day starts and it's pointless trying to get cuddles before that.

SwimmingInTheBlueLagoon · 05/05/2018 14:53

Also I can see why you struggle to say no to that cute fluffy little face.

Sadsnake · 05/05/2018 15:03

Wow,in the nicest possible way op...that reads as if you are taking about a baby,...we all love our dogs..but they not babies..our pup came home at 8 weeks exactly.she was the size of a guinea pig,so we used a medium sized crate with her bed ,at one end puppy pads at another ,and food at the side...she slept through from the first night...I've never been a fan of crating ,and we only did it in case a member of the family accidentally trod on her in the night..by 3 months she was big enough to be seen and we ditched the crate.she settles herself around 7 pm and that's that till the morning.i left puppy pads down for a long time at night,but they were rarely used...my advice would be leave the cate open at night,leave him downstairs,( we use a stair gate so she stays down)and just go to bed..put some puppy pads down if you've not got Lino....I know puppy pads arnt popular on here,but we used them ,and ditched them without issue.

Sadsnake · 05/05/2018 15:06

Sorry didn't read full thread...just have ,well done that's good x and sorry for your loss ,keep up the good work x

SchoolDogBadIdea · 05/05/2018 15:36

yetAnotherNewName1000 puppy is totally fine being left in the day, so it's not separation anxiety. It had learnt whining = human cuddles and fun. Puppy needed to realise that night is for sleeping. Also there is a big and obvious difference between whining and howling for attention and a panicked animal who thinks being apart from you is dangerous!

Original poster
OldEnglishSheepDog · 05/05/2018 18:53

Thanks all. Had a good class today which made me feel a bit better too. (Trainer is lovely but, I think I may have said already, a bit reluctant to offer advice on this - just lots of sympathy).

Pup is being MENTAL right now. Just returned from a walk and he's jumping and nipping like he's gone insane. Had to escape behind a gate for protection. Kinda pleased as hopefully it bodes well for a good night's sleep.

OP posts:
BiteyShark · 05/05/2018 19:11

If you have been training he's probably over tired and hyper and is in need of a rest Grin

Original poster
OldEnglishSheepDog · 05/05/2018 19:17

Oh good!

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Original poster
OldEnglishSheepDog · 05/05/2018 20:58

And in other news, the dog that we have been planning, discussing and researching for over a year has been declared "my dog" which was bought to "make me happy". As opposed to a family pet bought to fill the void left by secondary infertility (apparently it's only my void then).

I am sleeping in the office tonight.

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Wolfiefan · 05/05/2018 21:05

Oh no. What is the matter with him?!

Original poster
OldEnglishSheepDog · 05/05/2018 21:09

Apparently he tries very hard to make me happy which strikes me as both presumptive and pointless - surely it's not his job to make me happy but to support me? Or have I got the whole point of marriage wrong?

First proper row in over a decade of being together.

Ironically I have left the room which means I have also left the pup with him. But I can't bring pup upstairs because it'll fuck up the training.

This isn't really the thread I thought it was going to be.

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ThisMorningWentBadly · 05/05/2018 21:13

No you will not be sleeping in the office young lady. You will take the fancy ear plugs and sleep in the bed.

Wolfiefan · 05/05/2018 21:15

Oh bugger. My girl is my dog but I knew that when we got her. DH isn't really a "dog" fan (though he's a sucker for her!). He works a full on full time job so I train and walk etc. but that was what we agreed. You can't change the story after the event!

Original poster
OldEnglishSheepDog · 05/05/2018 21:16

Honestly, I don't have the energy for the fight. The office has lots of my stuff in it anyway.

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Original poster
OldEnglishSheepDog · 05/05/2018 21:20

I do all of that Wolfie and in many ways I agree he is my pup in that I'm the main carer. But we all share the same house. I'm not expecting him to do any of the night time stuff, just offer a little sympathy or support rather than threatening to sleep in the garden.

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Wolfiefan · 05/05/2018 21:27

My DH will help out. Eg pup has been foot chewing. He will watch her to make sure she doesn't whilst I do dinner or have a shower. We have made major changes to our lives as a result of having a giant breed and he's fine with that. As you say it's not about "making wife happy" but about being a partnership.

Original poster
OldEnglishSheepDog · 05/05/2018 21:56

Back on topic. Pup has put himself in the crate. I always take him out for a wee before bedtime but it's a struggle. Wondering if I should skip it if he's settled?

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Original poster
OldEnglishSheepDog · 06/05/2018 02:24

Woke for wee. Taken outside on lead. Has begun whining. Am still in living room. He is gnawing on the crate and yapping. Taken out for a second time on lead and returned to crate when evident he wasn't going to do anything.

Back upstairs. He is yapping.

OP posts:
Original poster
OldEnglishSheepDog · 06/05/2018 02:30

More yapping. Out on lead again.

Refused to come out this time so crate closed and back upstairs.

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Original poster
OldEnglishSheepDog · 06/05/2018 02:33

And again! I'm not waiting around downstairs this time.

OP posts:
BitOfFun · 06/05/2018 02:38

It's time to get tough. No more crate outings! Ignore until morning.

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