Sorry to post again so soon guys but just a quick question about our 9 week puppy. The first few days we got him home he would always go and nap in his puppy crate when he had had enough. At night he sleeps very well and we are slowly increasing the time we are leaving him for toilet breaks we are up to 41/2 hours now. We have tried leaving him for periods in the day building them up for when we return to work and he seems very calm and relaxed in his crate when we are not home so far no accidents. My one concern however is when we are home now he either sleeps on the floor or in one of our arms. Have we created a problem by allowing him cuddles and sleeping in our arms. I have tried carrying him and lying him bk in his crate when asleep leaving the door open but he gets back out again and comes for more cuddles. Is this normal? He is only 9 weeks after all. Any advice? Thanks for all your advice everyone Pippa
Re: puppy cuddle and sleeping Its totaly normal but you should try to be a little more stern. I know its hard but in the long run you dont want a 30kg dog who wont sleep unless he is cuddled up on your lap. Is the crate in the same room as you?
Re: puppy cuddle and sleeping If he's sleeping on the floor as well as in your arms I probably wouldn't worry. As long as he's not whining to be held. They will do what makes them comfy and what's available. If you don't want him on the chairs or sofa in the long run I suggest you do your cuddling on the floor though to prevent mixed messages
Re: puppy cuddle and sleeping I was the worlds worst at this stage. Charlie went everywhere in my jacket for socialisation before she could be safely put on the ground outside of home. I think we both loved it! It did continue for a while indoors too, as she seemed to get comfort from it. I'm very lucky that it hasn't formed a habit with her. Listen to the others advice though! Not me at all. Oh, I miss puppy cuddles I do. x
Re: puppy cuddle and sleeping He might find it more comforting cuddling up to an old jumper or Tshirt or something that you have worn recently too?
Re: puppy cuddle and sleeping Thanks everyone, the crate is in the kitchen and he has a small section of the living room, I do usually sit on the floor with him rather than on the sofa as I don't really want him on the sofa because of biting and scratching. I will try and be a little firmer with him as soon we go back to work and I don't want him pining for too many cuddles he has occasionally started moaning if we are sitting on the sofa and he cant get up to sit with us. Good idea about the old clothing I think I will give this a go and put it in his crate. I do love the cuddles however at the moment as soon he will be too big to pick up lol Pippa x
Re: puppy cuddle and sleeping At 17 months old Harley still loves her cuddles with me (even though she is 27kg). She sits on my lap and dozes at any opportunity she settles well when I'm not here too so I don't mind it
Re: puppy cuddle and sleeping Pongo was a non-cuddler when he was little.... much happier sleeping in his own places. In the last few weeks he has suddenly started getting cuddly... which is quite an experience since he now weighs 40kg.....
Re: puppy cuddle and sleeping I love cuddling Izzy and it seems to calm her after her mad bouts, but then after awhile she gets off my knee and goes find somewhere more comfortable! The problem i have is if i then get up to go do something, she wakes and follows me!
Re: puppy cuddle and sleeping I have the same problem Wendy in the day at least I have a house to clean and a ton of washing to get done but its mounting up at the moment as if I move he will follow me round, get under my feet and if I am not watching carefully he will have an accident on the floor. Pippa x
Re: puppy cuddle and sleeping Bella was like that initially but has got better the more confident she became, I keep encouraging her to have some independent play time too and slowly back away and sit on the sofa , she usually snoozes next to me on the sofa, but shuffles about a bit, from one side, on me, to the other side, back again until she's settled ha. If I get up she usually steals my seat!!! Or looks up to see where I'm going then closes her eyes again or waits for me to come back!
Re: puppy cuddle and sleeping [quote author=drjs@5 link=topic=9351.msg134277#msg134277 date=1420278616] He might find it more comforting cuddling up to an old jumper or Tshirt or something that you have worn recently too? [/quote] That was the one amazing thing I found settled Bella at night!!!!!!
Re: puppy cuddle and sleeping Daisy was a cuddler when she was little, and now that she's 55 pounds, she seems to realize that her own bed is more comfortable. She was sick over the past 2 days, and was much more clingy than usual, but that seemed understandable. For a few weeks, I did let her sleep on the bed, but got tired of fighting for my own space! Trying to move the dead weight of a passively-resistant 30-50 pound dog who does not want to move takes too much effort . After 3-4 nights of making her get off and onto her own bed with Henry, she no longer argues about moving when it's bedtime. I was very glad I'd forced the issue when she threw up onto her bed the other night! Glad it wasn't on my bed! That old saying about "start as you mean to go on" or something like that is so true! Snuggles on the floor could become a nice bonding time, but sitting in your lap doesn't have to remain part of it!
Re: puppy cuddle and sleeping Elsie has worked out for herself where she used to lay in our arms we are still happy to snuggle but she needs to lay across our laps or half on the sofa. She also knows if she wants to stretch out she needs to be on the floor. I think she just lays where she is most comfy at the time. I wouldn't worry about snuggling when they are young they do realise as they grow they can't do it quite the same when they are bigger.
