Coming to the end of our first week with our now 9 week old puppy. I started off with Suki beside my bed in a large box for 3 nights, she settled ok got up once or twice for toilet breaks. Moved to crate in the kitchen I slept in front room, again settled fairly well a couple of initial whines so told her gently to go to sleep a couple of times, got up for toilet breaks. Did this for the following two nights then decided I’d like to sleep in my own bed!! Last wee around 11.30 then into the crate at midnight. Covered the crate put her soft toy and chew teddy, heartbeat sound track-she howled, barked, cried for about 2 hours eventually settled down. Set alarm for 3 out for toilet break didn’t want to go back into crate she then howled cried barked for about another hour. Set another alarm for 6. Last night same starting routine, went to bed all quiet for about 10 mins. Followed by 3 1/2 hours of howling, crying etc. Couldn’t get a quiet spell to let her out for a wee. She eventually settled 6 O’clock alarm let her out. To be honest I’m dreading tonight... any help or words of wisdom would be welcome.
I think you are expecting your puppy to settle alone too soon. I would go back to the box beside the bed for several more weeks, until she feels really confident. Leaving her to cry is just distressing her - you want her to learn that she is safe and secure with you, just like a small human baby.
Thanks Joy. That had been going through my mind. Certainly didn’t like listening to hours of howling and barking.
I think the same. Will the crate fit in your bedroom or outside the door so she can hear you and get used to the crate at the same time?The first few weeks are hard work but it gets easier.
Back to crate in our room last night was a success. Only needed to get for a couple of toilet trips and settled right back down. Hopefully this is the first of many... Thank you for your advice, the world is a happier place after sleep for all of us
An update for anyone else in the early stages. Suki is now very happily sleeping up to 8 hours in her crate - downstairs in the kitchen. We went through very gradual stages as members suggested Bedroom, just outside bedroom door, downstairs in family room (me sleeping on the sofa for a few nights), kitchen with me still on the sofa for a couple of nights. Back in my bed now and getting a decent sleep. I think looking back I was expecting too much. Can’t thank all who contributed and offered advice enough.
We may have to do this with out new puppy, he is 8 weeks old. First night he did great. Cried 10 min when putting him in got up twice in middle of night to go potty, when put back in only cried 10 min again. Last night was a total difference, he didn't cry at all when he first went in crate but woke up about 2 hours later, we took him out potty then he cried for over 2 hours, finally settled but an hour later cried we let him out and same thing cried about 45 min. My question is, if we the crate in our room, do you have 2 crates one for your room and one for main area of house? I'd hate to have to move it each time.
I used two crates. Once Odin outgrew the smaller one in the bedroom, he transitioned to a doggie bed without a problem. The bigger one went in the basement for crating for short periods of time. He’s 8 months old now, and he’s graduated to having the crate door open and being able to roam the basement.
