Early days but I think I am messing this up....

[sleepwouldbenice]

Hi
We picked up our 10 week old puppy on Saturday and I need some guidance for the night time issue....

Before we picked him up he had been doing 7/7.5 hours at night without a toilet trip but I guess this was in the company of mum brother and another dog. But I guess I know he can hold on if need be but he's in different circumstances now.

I have been sleeping downstairs in the room next door. He can hear me reassure him and he knows I am there. I was also going to sleep in the room with him on the settee besides his crate. However neither of these things seem to have made any difference.

After a couple of wobbles he now settles well at night. Midnight to 5.30ish Then he starts to howl. He has settled sometimes in the night on waking so I do leave it about 20mins. Then if i go in i Try to go in In between howls /whines so not rewarding him. take him outside. Sometimes a poo sometimes a wee sometimes nothing. Minimal chat from me no cuddles then straight back into crate

But then he won't resettle. Howls and howls. For 2 hours.as I say my voice and presence does nothing. During this time he has weed occasionally but not every time.

Dh sometimes gets up at 5. 30 for work but not every time so not sure i can blames disturbance.

So what to do? Set the alarm so it's a sleepy bedtime toilet trip? Carry on ignoring but sometimes he's toileting and sometimes not? Put him to bed earlier to see if its something that disturbs him then? White noise? Dies his daytime sleep and activity influence this?

I just don't know what to do I just think I am messing it all up

Thanks in advance

Firstly there is no right or wrong way to do things. All puppies are different and they change as they grow up. It's hard but don't worry about messing up as most things aren't set in stone at this age.

What I did with my pup was if he cried I went in and said nothing and took him outside in case he needed the toilet. Then straight back to bed without any fuss or attention. I did this every time until he got the message that night was sleep or pee.

Once he was settled at night I did still wake him though as he never could make it through the night for a toilet break. I worked on the principle that they can hold it at night for around 1 hour per month of age plus 1 so at 10 weeks mine would have only been able to hold it for 3-4 hours. Some pups do go through the night not needing the toilet but mine was not one of them.

We are early rises so 5:30 is normal time to be up but I think a lot of puppies will wake early naturally.

Do you have a cover on your crate? We have been. Lucky at night and didn't have much howling just the first night but the crate cover is a godsend and really helped. It's daylight at 5.30 now and they can see that.
You are not alone by the way I feel sick every day because I think I might be breaking my puppy (also 10 weeks)

Thanks both for your support. Feel a bit more human now after a nap this am...... I think I will try 2 approaches tonight. Will go to him earlier if he wakes but will also use just purchased crate cover. Was using blankets but see if thi helps.
Thanks again

Op I forgot I gave him my smelly needing washed worn all winter scarf into bed with him and that worked like a charm

I just wanted to update and thank you again. He has slept like a dream since! Has crate cover and picnic blanket covering crate so very dark. Had hot water bottle and a kids t shirt though stopped these two now. Has slept for 7/8 hours each night since....

Lets see how he gets on with dh getting up early on Tuesday.......