New Puppy, crate training question...

sptddog

We recently got a 13 week old weim puppy. He's really very, very good (especially after my Dalmatian, a rescue, and a whole nother story!). He's calm, pretty much housebroken, and learning to chew on his appropriate toys.

The problem: He'd been started on crate training at breeders, and was doing well, though they did mention he cried in the crate. We're continuing it. Our problem is that if we put him in it (anytime) that he's not tired, he whines and whines/barks, etc. I'm home during the day right now (maternity leave), so we're gradually working on this, but it's not getting better. The major issue is at night - we put him in, he goes willingly and quietly, and he's usually good until anytime after 4. No issues with that, BUT after I let him out to potty, he will bark/whine the entire time after that until we get up (6-7am). At that point, do we just let him whine for the hour? It's been over a week of this, and he hasn't shown signs of giving in and getting quiet. And we're getting no sleep. Does he just need more time, or are we doing something wrong?

The last time or two, we've let him whine/bark a half hour, and then my husband has had enough (and is worried he'll wake our three year old, though she has a noise machine to drown it out), and comes down to get him out. He does wait until he's quiet, but he's never settled - he'll quiet for about a 2-3 minute period, in which my husband lets him out. Are we still enforcing the bad behavior?

We've tried a kong, and a few other chew toys in there, but they dont' entertain him long, if at all. He seems to quiet when I leave the house (though it's only for short periods really), so I'm not sure if it's just learning that he has to go back to sleep? Even if the kong does entertain him for 15 minutes (or some other type of chewy), he just starts afterwards.

Are we on the right track and should just invest in earplugs? Or do we need to backtrack and re-train in some way? Thanks for any advice!

LunaBrown · Posted: Wed Oct 24, 2007 1:48 pm Post subject:

I don't know if it is an option, but we keep Luna's kennel in our bedroom so she can hear us... now the only time she makes noise is if she's peeved because she doesn't get to sleep in our bed with us (she always gets to snuggle for a while before she gets kenneled for the night) or in the early AM if she has to potty.

I think it is somehow soothing for her just to be able to hear us and know that we're right there.... a good stern "LUNA QUIT THAT NOISE" helps if she decides to be persistant. (not the usual case)

Good luck!

Mindy, Luna's Mom

Beth · Posted: Wed Oct 24, 2007 1:49 pm Post subject:

There are so many helpful tips on crate training if you browse the site. It sounds to me like you are on the right track. What does he do if you let him run around at 4am without supervision? (My daisy sometimes needs to get some energy out if she fell asleep before us)

sptddog · Posted: Wed Oct 24, 2007 3:15 pm Post subject:

I'm not sure putting him on our room would help, and I'm pretty sure my husband wouldn't allow it - he's got a pretty strict no kids in the bed policy, and I'd assume no dogs would be the same. Even w/ the crate in there, we're both light sleepers, I know my dalmatian used to drive us nuts w/ all his licking and squirming/grunting etc. Laughing

Plus, w/ a new baby coming, the dog in the room might be worse in the long run. I don't mind letting him out when I get up to feed the baby, but I'll need him to go back to sleep after.

Even during the day, if I go upstairs and crate him, (assuming he's not tired) he'll bark incessantly. He will not lay down unless it's completely quiet (or he's played out and looking for a nap anyhow). Maybe he just needs to get used to it.....

If he's w/out supervision....chew, chew, chew. He's not ready for that yet - he's good, but he'd eat all sorts of stuff.

kamfam · Posted: Wed Oct 24, 2007 3:30 pm Post subject:

What about confining him to a small area of the house (kitchen, bathroom)?

Maybe he is just ready for the day at 4am Very Happy

!

anne · Posted: Wed Oct 24, 2007 4:50 pm Post subject:

There is no reason a puppy that age cannot get used to sleeping alone. It IS easier if the pup is in your room but not all people want that.

It's surprising that after a week he hasn't learned to settle down. When you let him out at 4AM, are you letting him out when he starts barking?

sptddog · Posted: Wed Oct 24, 2007 8:38 pm Post subject:

sptddog · Posted: Thu Oct 25, 2007 7:17 am Post subject:

Well, nifty difty, but he must have read my post! Smile

He got up at 4am, and I left him out, no talking, no playing, no real happy to see you reaction, just go pee, and back in. I did put his dog dish w/ some food in there (since he hadn't eaten since probably 7pm), and he went right back in and back to sleep until 6 am.

Maybe we're getting it! Though I'm sure tonight could be back to the other cry, cry! Laughing