Can I join the thread for some support and sanity please?!
I have a 2.5 year old sprocker who is a dream DDog. Yes, puppyhood was a bit of a challenge, but she’s become a well trained, happy, affectionate (no personal space at all with a spaniel!) dog.
Clever me decided she needed a sister. DPuppy is an 11 week springer, and an absolute cutey. They get on well, with a bit of play fighting, the toilet training is going really well, probably 95% there now (no accidents so far today….), she reacts to her name, sits, comes in from the garden when I call, and we’ve just started walks post jabs, where she’s responding really well to lead training.
Sleeping during the day is no issue, she’ll typically sleep on DDogs bed with her, or on the door mat, occasionally in her crate (door open), to be honest wherever she feels comfy, and she sleeps well. In the day.
Night though - god help me! She goes in her crate with the door closed at 10pm, no issue, straight to sleep. DDog is close by on her own bed. But she is waking every night 2-4am and really does need the garden - generally wees and often poos. Then despite being dark still, she won’t settle back in her crate at all. I’ve sat for an hour with her, in the dark, not talking to her, and she falls asleep but no sooner as I’m out the kitchen and half way up the stairs she howls again. DDog has always slept in the kitchen, with no issue.
So for the last week, I’ve resorted (sleep deprivation is so real, and I’ve got now young adult DC so know what it was like!) to taking them both back to bed with me. They then both sleep until at least 730! DDog thinks it’s Christmas coming and sleeping with me.
Have I now made a rod for my own back?! Any hints to break this and just getting her sleeping longer? She’s gaining weight really well, eats well, etc.
Pic included for puppy tax (I know the rules!)