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Original poster

Night waking

13 replies

newpupworries · 17/12/2022 05:21

Hi I have an 11 week old puppy who has been sleeping brilliantly in his crate at night for the two weeks we had him. I was on a campbed next to him and he would sleep from 10.30-6.30am every night. I've moved away gradually from him over last few nights and am now in spare room next door. Since moving away he's started waking at a random time each morning- could be 2am, could be 4am, could be 5am. I'm trying to wait til he stops crying, going in, taking him out for a silent wee and then putting him back in crate but he's currently crying in there after doing that this morning. I can't set my alarm to preempt him waking as it could be any time. I know it's because he wakes up and I'm not there but don't know what to do about it? Thanks

OP posts:
fallfallfall · 17/12/2022 05:23

Could he be cold? Try a hot water bottle and a ticking clock type noise (heart beat).

Original poster
newpupworries · 17/12/2022 05:51

fallfallfall · 17/12/2022 05:23

Could he be cold? Try a hot water bottle and a ticking clock type noise (heart beat).

The cold might be a thing. He's got a heartbeat sheep thing and lots of blankets etc but it is particularly cold. I will try hot water bottle. I've given in and am now lying on floor next to crate (rod for my own back!)

OP posts:
Orangesare · 17/12/2022 05:54

He’s only little, it’s still normal to wake up in the night at this age. It will get better in a few weeks.

Original poster
newpupworries · 17/12/2022 07:47

Orangesare · 17/12/2022 05:54

He’s only little, it’s still normal to wake up in the night at this age. It will get better in a few weeks.

I think I'm probably expecting too much because of the great start he made with sleeping. I just worry about setting patterns of behaviour (too much of a control freak!). Once I went and laid on floor he snored until 7.30am!

OP posts:
thelobsterquadrille · 17/12/2022 09:25

He's very very young.

I know you read a lot of threads from people whose puppies slept through the night alone at eight weeks but my experience working with dogs tells me that's far from the norm.

My puppy was still with his mum and littermates at 11 weeks and many breeds aren't separated until 12 weeks.

Newpeep · 17/12/2022 09:56

thelobsterquadrille · 17/12/2022 09:25

He's very very young.

I know you read a lot of threads from people whose puppies slept through the night alone at eight weeks but my experience working with dogs tells me that's far from the norm.

My puppy was still with his mum and littermates at 11 weeks and many breeds aren't separated until 12 weeks.

This. Our pup is 18 weeks and still sleeps with us, crated. She sleeps 9 hours a night soundly. She needs very occasional reassurance in the night which just means a finger in the crate she can nose bop then she settles back down.

I can’t think any very young pups really are happy alone. Ours is now gaining independence in the day and we can pop out for a few minutes and she’s happy chilling (we’ve filmed her) but I can’t imagine leaving them for any length of time either at night or in the day and they are GENUINELY happy about it.

Original poster
newpupworries · 18/12/2022 07:50

Thanks for this. I've decided to just stick with what's working. Last night he got into his crate voluntarily and settled down and I slept across the hall initially as he wasn't bothered by my leaving, which is unusual, but I left the camp bed up just in case. At 3am I heard him start to cry so I waited til he quietened and then laid down on camp bed (didn't even need to talk to him) and he slept until I got up at 7am). I think my major worry was setting a precedent where I couldn't ever leave him (everyone I know IRL thinks it's hilarious I'm sleeping downstairs with the dog) but think I'll just do this until after the crazy Christmas/NYE period by which time he'll be almost 14 weeks and maybe rethink it then. He is still a baby and is so loved by us already

OP posts:
thelobsterquadrille · 18/12/2022 08:26

The best way to avoid separation anxiety is to keep your dog feeling happy and secure - leaving them to cry isn't the answer, so you're doing absolutely the right thing!

Allthingsbrightandugly · 18/12/2022 12:17

Rather than. A hot water bottle, pets at home do heat pads that last 12hrs which are fab.

janeeyreair · 18/12/2022 12:30

Sounds like you doing the right thing, as he gets older im sure he will stop needing you there. You may also start letting him settle and sleep outside the crate on his own bed or with the door open.

OrpingtonWings · 18/12/2022 12:34

As a puppy, our dog slept in a crate in our bedroom, he now has a bed in our room but currently would rather spend the night on the sofa in the lounge (with the cats!). They’re lack animals. I personally think that it’s a long night expecting them to be on their own. Can you set up the crate in your bedroom?

Original poster
newpupworries · 18/12/2022 17:13

Thanks all for your advice and help, I actually feel a bit more relaxed now! (First time dog owner who's paranoid about making mistakes!).

OP posts:
Original poster
newpupworries · 18/12/2022 17:14

OrpingtonWings · 18/12/2022 12:34

As a puppy, our dog slept in a crate in our bedroom, he now has a bed in our room but currently would rather spend the night on the sofa in the lounge (with the cats!). They’re lack animals. I personally think that it’s a long night expecting them to be on their own. Can you set up the crate in your bedroom?

I love that he likes sleeping with the cats! Too cute

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