Hi all, Just wondered if anyone had some advice for us with regards night time nightmares with Cosmo, our 8 +4 week old pup. He's a lovely little chap and during the day is great, if typically boisterous and chewy. We picked him up on Friday and decided to keep him in with us for the first wee while. Friday night he slept from around 11pm until 04.30 - this felt par for the course judging by what I'd read. Saturday night and Sunday night were the same: around 11pm until 4.45 - I felt great.....this was a whole extra 15 minutes......hurrah......we were on this! Then Monday happened...... On Monday morning he had his imms and was fine if a little stressed in the car. Later, on Monday night, he went for a wee at around the same time then was up at around 02.30 and again at 05.45.....I had read somewhere that their wee bladders could only cope with 2-3 hours (I hadn't discovered this site then) so thought little of it then last night things went from bad to worse. He had his last wee at 11.30pm then was scrambling around and whining at 1am......hubbie took him out for a quick wee which he dutifully did and then back to bed....the whole thing done in 20 minutes and tucked back in (with me secretly growling to myself about how lightly Mr F had got off with his share of puppy care). 02.35 comes and he's at it again.....scrabbling around and whining. I gave in and took him out - he did a bit of both then we both crashed on the sofa (I know, I shouldn't have but I couldn't bear waking the neighbours with squeals and whimpers if we went back upstairs) until 5am when he was awake again.......... Otherwise he seems absolutely fine - is playing around happily, if a bit maniacally, and eating and drinking fine so we're at a loss as to how to play it now. Not sure if he is just pulling a fast one on us because he knows we're nervous and novice 'parents' and not sure how to play it from here. We have been putting water in the crate for fear of him dehydrating so perhaps this is a silly idea (I've since read the 'taking your puppy home' article and see it's not necessary). We do plan to bring him and his crate down to the lounge/living room but obviously worried about going backwards in the toilet training if we're not there to hear him tell us he needs - particularly when he's been doing so well, at least during the day, otherwise (only two 'accidents' of the wee variety since we picked him up and those were, with hindsight, because we didn't read the signs well enough). I'm no wimp with sleep deprivation and don't expect miracles at this early stage, but I don't want him getting into bad habits now that we can't undo! Please help..............
Hi Ally, Congratulations on your new puppy! Don't worry this is all very normal, and there are some things you can do to help. I'd start by removing water from the crate, after all he won't ever be in there long enough to need it. Here are some articles which will help with getting him used to the crate, and to help with getting your quiet nights back! Puppies Crying At Night Crate Training Your Puppy Do let us know how you get along
Oh thanks so much Lucy! You've no idea the impact of those 5 words 'this is all very normal', from someone who knows what they're talking about! I'll have a read at these and the water is coming out and the crate is coming downstairs! It's reassuring to know we haven't broken him entirely! My one victory for this morning is getting his collar on him.......I tried the other day and he went ape so was fearful of revisiting. This time - a wee grumpy face, a few wee flicks at his neck then back to the business of the day.....chew toys! He's such a lovely thing and even started taking himself out for a wee yesterday.....it's just nights that are the issue. I'll keep you posted - and thanks again for those 5 life saving words! Ally
You might find that everything was very new at first, and novelty is very tiring and takes lots of brain-processing power (and sleep!). Now he's been with you a few days, it's no longer so new - and so he appears to have more energy and be awake more. So: With that line of thinking, this could be the new norm for him. On the other hand, if he is toileting frequently during the day as well, he could have a UTI or gastro upset (depending on what's coming out)....
Thanks Jo! I think he is feeling more settled now and therefore is a little more ‘himself’. I did wonder about a UTI (ex nurse always rule out the obvious) but he seems fine during the day and his poo is fine. Having read the articles, I think he’s probably having a go at learned crying and knows that he’ll get attention-he did force out a wee at 2am but there was no urgency and he faffed around looking for love and sniffing everything in sight first. I reckon we have to be a little more in charge of this wee tyke before he rules the roost! Will keep you posted how that goes! Thanks all. Ally
Hi both. Just an update on Cosmo's first night downstairs - any advice on where to go now always welcome. He had a wee at 11pm then tucked up without complaint into his crate and was settled enough - until 10 minutes later when the crying started. It went on for a while then stopped for a bit, then started again big time around 1am - full on howling and wailing (and no doubt gnashing of teeth). We stuck to our guns, though, and waited it out until 3am when we went down as planned and took him out for a wee. The bed was dry and he dutifully did a wee then back into his crate - all fairly business like. He started whining and wriggling a bit but he was clearly sleepy so I stayed in the room until he had nodded off the sneaked off. All was quiet then until just before 7am when I came down and let him out.....dutifully performed in both regards, had a mad run around the garden and is now crashed out on his bed. I feel reassured that at least we know his wee bladder is coping with 4 hours (and it managed 5ish for a couple of nights when he first arrived) so I'm guessing the crying is just first night on his own terror? I did find the howling really unbearable, though, so the idea that this could go on for the next few nights fills me with dread. Is it worth staying with him until he is properly asleep, in the first instance, to avoid the awful howling or does he need to learn to cope with it? Thanks, in anticipation!! Ally
Oh, I should add that during the day he seems to be quite an independent wee man - you can leave the room for short periods and for all he's glad to see you back, he never objects or cries. Ta, A
Are you working on the crate in the night-time location, during the day? Really, I would keep the pup next to your bed until he is going through the night with no problem (in terms of noise or worry). During the day time, I would be working with the day-time crate location to teach the dog to 'enjoy' that crate - going in the crate on cue, coming out on cue - relaxing in there whilst I sit in the same room etc etc...
Thanks Jo! He was going through the night with no noise then started waking every couple of hours although toilet needs seemed to be an afterthought so we thought perhaps it was time (after 5 days) to move him downstairs. To be honest, I feel so overwhelmed today and dreading tonight-and the more I read and ask friends the more confused I feel, so I’m wondering whether this was the worst idea ever. He’s a lovely wee thing but I feel like a complete flop as a puppy owner. Thanks for your help, though, and apologies for sounding a little melodramatic!
Hi @Ally Fi I think you are doing a good job. The first week or so is generally up and down when it comes to sleeping at a new home. Don't expect smooth upwards progression. Expect hills, valleys and plateaus in terms of performance.
You won't even remember this in a couple years time, so try not to over-generalise from how things are going now! It's very early days... (although I do admire perfectionist traits, being one myself, ahem!!!) I'd say that there was your problem... What happened is: He was quiet the first few nights you had him, because he was tired out with all the novelty. His entire life has changed, the people and dogs in it, he no longer has mum or siblings, the house smells different, every sight and sound and smell is new, there are many textures and objects he has never seen before - etc etc etc. All that novelty is a surefire way to wear out a puppy. (Which is why I recommend people take pups out daily for a socialisation trip to a new place, carrying them if necessary.) And all that novelty resulted in him sleeping through the night - he was just wiped out. But - that wasn't occurring due to training or habituation - it was happening because he was just too zonked to do anything else. After a few days, the novelty wore off, he was less tired - and you started to see where he REALLY was at, with separation and crating. And the news was that he was waking every few hours. That was a sure sign that he wasn't ready to move to another crate or downstairs to be by himself - he needed more work/time with you to feel settled and comfortable. But instead you interpreted it as the opposite and put him downstairs... So - I'd bring him back up, have him by your bed and work on achieving consistent nights the way you want them to be, before attempting putting him downstairs again. And by 'consistent nights' - I mean that for 5-7 consecutive days, he is just quietly sleeping in his crate by your bed. You didn't have that consistency before you raised the criteria last time, moving him downstairs. But meanwhile, during the day, you should be training him with the crate downstairs in the place where you want him to eventually be at night as well - so he is getting familiar with that crate in the meantime, in preparation for when he goes there at night again. You should be working on - go in the crate on cue (for click when pup is in and sprinkle of treats from above), then coming out the crate when released. If you want some ideas, Susan Garrett's crate games DVD is super.
Hi Jo, This all makes sense and I feel dreadful for not having worked it out and for confusing him. The problem I now have is that we had a really good night with him last night.....into crate at 11pm, nodded off...no tears then up at 3am for quick wee and back to bed until 7 when he was up bright eyed and bushy tailed for toileting and a trot around the garden. I absolutely hear what you’re saying but I’m worried that if I take him back upstairs now he’ll be even more confused! I really feel entirely out of my depth-in spite of having done the research/reading ahead of the game I still seem to be totally flummoxed by this wee thing and I’m sure my inadequacy is only serving to confuse him. Is it too late, do you think, or can it be rescued? Perhaps I’m just not cut out for this. Anyway, I really appreciate everyone’s help-and I’ve left him with my husband (who’s been at work all week) and come to the beach for a breather......a crazed mum won’t help any pup! Thanks!
Maybe after a night downstairs, he's gotten used to it and is going to be ok. See how it goes! Just take care that when you are taking him out at 3am, that it's not happening because he is waking up and making noise - but because you are waking HIM up, to go out. Otherwise, he will learn to make noise to get you to come to him and take him out - and you will reinforce the noise-making. Better for you to set your alarm clock in the middle of the night and take him out even if he is fast asleep. If he tends to wake up at 3am then set it for 2.30am and take him out then... It all sounds pretty normal to me and like you're doing fine.
