It's been a while since I was last on here. We now have the pup we've been waiting for. She's a Golden Labrador, aged 9 weeks and we've called her Amber. We got her on Friday (1st November). Obviously we had accidents on the carpet, but we are taking her out every time she wakes up, has a drink or her dinner and she's been really good, doing her "stuff" in the garden. The last time she did a wee on the carpet was yesterday morning (Sunday). She hasn't done any since.

She was very quiet on the first night, but the last 2 nights she's been whining. The first "whining" night, we ignored her, but unfortunately, in the end she woke up our 4 yr old boy at 6.15am who then wanted to go downstairs! Imagine, 6.15 on a Sunday morning, after going to bed at 12!! Anyway, my mum suggested that maybe she was whining to go to do her business. So, last night, she was whining at 1.45. I went downstairs to let her out and she did both a wee and a poo (each time she does this we really praise her). Just after I left her downstairs she started whining again so my husband went down and tapped her on the bottom (only a slight tap!) and said NO to her. After that she was quiet until 6.15 again. I am just wondering if I/we are doing the right thing. Is it best to leave her to whine and let her do her business on the paper (she's very good at doing it on paper), or go down to let her out? We don't want to make a rod for our own back!

She is a tiny baby and she sounds wonderful to me but if you get up in the night now you will be setting a pattern have you tried leaving her for short periods in the day ?say in the kitchen or so as if she is with you all the time and you suddenly go off to bed she will miss you.
I would suggest if she whines then try to ignore her and eventually she will get the message and leave papers down for her ( not to read :) :) ) .
They are not small long especially a lab so enjoy this time but dont make it too difficult for yourself give her a teddy or something to sleep with and always praise good behaviour and scold bad but not when they have forgotten say for instance she messes in the night and you wake up at six she will have forgotten she did it so you cant scold for that.

If you get up to the pup each time she whines, even if you "scold" her, she learns that if she whines, you go to her! ignore her and it will stop, soon enough. its early days yet.

Morgan whined at night but I did persevere with the help of a set of ear plugs and I did not go to him. After about two weeks he stopped altogether. It's funny, the first time he did sleep all night I woke up terrified that there was something wrong with him as he was so quiet. He was in a routine of waking when my boyfriend got up for work at 7.30am but since the clocks went back he has been whining between 6 and 6.30 - not good:-(. We are leaving him a little longer before going down each day and he is getting back to normal. It is quite stressful when you are woken through the night every night but it won't last moch longer I'm sure. He's only a baby and he's probably still settling in. Good luck :-)

Hi, I find that pups are often unbelievably good for the first few days, then as they begin to find their paws in their new home they begin to behave like puppies :-). Have you tried leaving a radio playing softly or even a clock with a loud tick near Amber? You could also try a heat pad or well wrapped hot water bottle. When I have a little pup I set the alarm for 3 - 3.30 and take it out then to help housetraining along. I break the rules by having the pup sleep with me for the first week or 10 days, but as she's sleeping downstairs, I agree with the others about her training you if you go to her when she whines.

Hi Sharon
We've given her a small soft toy to play with and always leave her toys (she's got lots of toys) in the kitchen and around her bed just in case she's bored in the night. We have a TV and a Stereo in the kitchen so maybe we could try leaving one of them on for her. I also considered having her in our bedroom at night, but then thought that it probably wouldn't help her as she needs to be left on her own so wanted to get her used to that from day one.
I guess we have to be more forceful and just leave her to cry/bark at night until she gets the message that she ain't gonna win! It's gonna be hard though.
Maybe I should go out and buy ear plugs for all of us?

Hi there

It'll pass!!!! They really are just like babies and you never think they'll sleep through the night either! Luckily pups are cleaner than babies - can't put the kid in the garden for poos! My "pup" will be two in January and we'll have had him 2 years in March and I can hardly believe it. Doesn't seem that long ago that I was posting on Champdogs and he was only 4 months old. Doesn't seem like nearly 11 years since kid no1 either and she goes to High School in August!

Good luck
Shirley

Lou,
If your dog honestly needs to go outside and do her 'business', at 9 weeks old, I really can't say that this will become a habit. She's too young to be able to hold it all night long, epecially since we don't know what time you put her to bed at night.

imo, it's better to get up, let her out to pee/poop, than to possibly she gets used to sleeping in a wet/dirty area. There's enough people on here who have problems with their dogs just relieving themselves in the night without any notice (I'm one :rolleyes: )
BUT, similiar to the child who wants to just fuss...well because, there is a line that has to be drawn eventually.

I'd say that in the first few weeks when she's still small, go to her a couple of minutes after she cries (depending on the tone). Let her outside. If she does business, a quiet praise and then back to bed. If she just starts nosing around or wanting to play...no more responding to her. I think it's easier to break the whining habit, than it is to break the toileting in her area habit later on.
jmho.
good luck,
toodles

Thanks all for your advice. We didn't have a very good night with her last night. My husband is always the last to bed, he let her out about 12 (I think) and she was whining at about 2.30, he went downstairs and let her out, she did a wee, and then he put her back in her bed (we don't have a cage - wondering if it's worth getting one?) and then came back upstairs. About 2 hrs later she was whining again so I went down to her, let her out but she didn't do anything this time. After I left her she whined so I woke my husband who went downstairs and tapped on her on the bottom and said NO to her to shut her up. She always takes notice of him, not me! Anyway, she woke again at 5.30, I went down again, did nothing - again! but she had done a wee and poo on the paper which I cleared up straight away. Then at 6.30, the same, did nothing in the garden! In the end, as it was near the time that we get up, we let her whine and bark. My problem is that I don't want her waking our boys (ages 4 and 9), cos I know it will only stress me out more, so I tend to go down to her or get my husband to go down to her.

My husband works from home and it was their first day at home together yesterday. We were going to let her stay in her bed in his office with him, but then thought that wouldn't do her any good cos she's still with someone, so he left her in the kitchen all morning until our youngest came home from school just after 12. He said she whined first of all, so he shouted down to her and she shut up. He was going downstairs regularly to let her out and the times when she did need a wee and he wasn't there to let her out straight away, she did it on the paper.

She's a lovely dog, I know we have to persevere, and I know it's early days, I just hope this doesn't last long! : )

Why is it so wrong to have the puppy in the office during the day? She's only young and is probably missing her litter mates and is confused about what's going on. Puppies that young need company and don't understand why they're being shut away from the family.

Fiona
x x x

Hi Fiona
We thought that it best that she's left on her own to begin with so that she gets used to it. This puppy business can be very confusing for us, let alone the pup! : )
I'll speak to my husband, perhaps he can have her upstairs for periods of time, and then take her in the garden and put her in the kitchen for some time afterwards aswell. Do you think that will help? or will that only confuse her more?
Help!!

It used to be thought that if you picked up and held an infant before 6 months old, the child would become needy, spoiled, and fussy. Turns out that these are the children that by 12-14 months old are the most secure on their own (in another room) in comparison to those who were left to cry even though they were dry and fed.

I wonder if there's a similar point in a puppy's life where early companionship makes a difference in its security and easier to adapt to being alone when it becomes older?
Just a muse. :)

That depends IME ...I used to pick up my oldest ones *every* time they cried ....and never got a moments peace. Sophie OTOH was left sometimes , when I needed time for me ..she would then only cry when she actually needed something ...even if it was that she needed a cuddle. Same for the youngest , Conor .

Babies are selfish little swines and would much rather be in mums arms rather than in a cot ...far nicer ..what they dont realise is that mum has a life too ;)

Both Sophie and Conor are very happy and secure young people. The older children were much longer standing on their own two feet

A compromise between the two extremes is much better than swinging too far one way of the other .

Melody

Thanks Melody
I'll get my husband to have her in his office upstairs for some time and then leave her in the kitchen at other times. Perhaps that way, she'll get the best of both worlds? We'll see.
She's being left in the house on her own in the mornings while my husband takes the boys to school, although this is only for about 30 mins max.

How about having her in a cage in the office? That way she's still with your husband but can't get up to any mischief and chew anything she shouldn't :D Also, he'd be able to leave the room for a few minutes and she wouldn't be able to follow him.

That way she gets used to being in a crate and gets comfort and security from a familiar place.

I hope this makes sense :)

Fiona
x x x

Hi Fiona
That sounds like a very good idea. I know he was concerned about her chewing the wires on his computers! At least that way, as you say, she's with him, but not getting up to mischief and annoying him!
Thanks

LouSalo,

I had this problem with my new Border Terrier puppy earlier this year and everyone on this site was really helpful and full of great advice. At the time it was really hard for me to see past the sleepless nights and it seemed like it would never end but looking back it didn't go on for longer than a week and all of a sudden she seemed to know what was expected of her. We now have to drag her up in the morning she is so lazy.

We didn't want to bring her upstairs so we would ignore her crying for as long as possible and then go down to comfort her, settle her down and then leave her again. Each night trying to leave her that bit longer. It really does work, I promise you she will be fine in the end!

Hi
How old is your Border Terrier puppy now? How long was it before it stopped whining in the night?

My Border Terrier is now 17 weeks old, we took her home from the breeder at 8 1/2. It took about a week for her to sleep through the night without crying (and she was REALLY REALLY bad, howling, barking , yelping- I thought the neighbours might be concerned about what on earth we were doing to this little dog!). She is honestly fine now- NEVER makes a fuss, sleeps like a log. I did make sure that I left her during the day for short periods as well that first week so it wouldnt come as such a shock to be on her own at night.

Hiya

How did you manage to sleep through the night with all that howling/barking etc? Oh well, if it only takes a week (hopefully), then it's worth putting up with it isn't it? I hope it doesn't take too long :(

Thanks again

Hi again

Again, its the individual choice and circumstance, but I decided that after 48 hours I would "leave" Rhum for various periods of time. He had me with him from 7am until about 9.30am, then I started to leave him for half an hour to an hour, this continued until he was left from 9.30am to 12.30pm. I didn't stay away more than 3 and half hours until he was over 6 months - and even now, the longest he has been left alone is 5 or so hours (held up one day - not by a Highwayman!). He has become a very good dog at being left alone. He is never sure how long I am away - and I'm not sure he cares as long as the radiator is on! He just sleeps. Has never chewed or destroyed any furniture (lucky, or what!). He is given a good long walk in the morning and on return he sees it as his time out for a kip! He knows I will leave the house shortly thereafter! He (and I) is fortunate that I don't work regular long hours as we have our own business. IMO I think they should be able to cope with being alone - obviously not too long while they are still baby pups and are house-trained. I feel I was really fortunate as Rhum never ever dirtied in the house and never had more than about three piddle accidents after I "dumped" (well, sold) his hated crate! Like kids, all different. My first I mollycoddled as a baby and she was a nightmare at going off to sleep on her own. The second only woke once a night and slept through from 5 weeks! We live and learn......all I can say is that dogs don't give verbal as they get older......well, maybe I stand corrected, they can be mouthy too!!!!

Shirley

Thanks Shirley
We're going to try and leave her more tonight and see how she goes. I think the reason why it's so hard is that you don't want to upset them by ignoring them, but you also have to be firm and tell that that you aren't gonna stand for any nonsence!
I think we're gonna have to warn the boys that they may get woken up for the next few nights!
Also, I have mixed feelings about the crates, so many people on this website use them and say they're brilliant, but a few (like you) say their dogs hated them. I don't want to make her feel trapped and unhappy but I don't want anything chewed etc. Living in the UK, people very rarely use crates, is it something that the people in US use alot? In fact, I only know of one person who uses a crate for his dog.
Hope we're as lucky with Amber (not chewing furniture etc) as you were/are with Rhum! How old is Rhum now?
Oh, by the way, what does IMO mean? Sorry, brain not quite in gear this morning! lol

Hi,
I would question the statement that in the UK people very rarely use crates, I would agree that perhaps it is more common among show/agility/obedience people, but I think once a dog has been properly introduced to them they can be a godsend.
I first got one in 1990 when I got my first Beardie and since then I have used a crate for another 2 Beardies and a Beardie/Border cross with no problems. The dogs were introduced to the crates at ages which ranged between 8weeks and 1 year.
My latest Beardie boy was introduced to one at 10 weeks and spent varying periods of time in it when I could not watch him closely. The time ranged between 10 mins and overnight until he was housetrained but he was out at night from 3 1/2 months with no accidents. He was also left in his crate while I went out but he was never left for more than 4 hours and that only once a week and that again was when he was housetrained but not destruction proof.
The crate is HUGE more than big enough for him to stand up and stretch out in at 14 months but since then he is quite happy left free while I am out as I am a fulltime carer for my Mum he is only left a couple of times a week when we go to the shops. He has never done any damage and has my older Beardie for company plus kongs and chews.
I firmly believe that using a crate stops them doing damage and thus they never develop the habit but that's just MHO.
Mine were never put in the crate as a punishment and always got a chew or other treat, sometimes I would give a treat and leave them in the crate only long enough to eat it, so it was a nice place
Anne

hi, my 19 week old choc lab - also called amber- really loves her cage.I have put fleecy doggy blankets in plus some safe chewy toys, and when its 10.30pm she goes and whines to go in it.My other four labs also had the same cage and we have never had any probs at night after the first couple of nights.If you get her a cage, as big as possible, and persevere with it she will be fine very soon.Good luck:)

I kept one of mine in a kennel in my room, he would get me up about 3 times during the night. By the the time he was 5 months he slept right through, my female was 4 months. Now they sleep in the living room, and are alone all day. I had my female in our bed, never did that with the other ones, straight in a kennel at night. Now they go to their kennels when they are tired. :)

Hi
Did you keep the door open on the kennel? How did the dog react to the kennel when introduced to it?
I am so confused, I don't know whether getting a kennel (cage) is a good idea or not??
Maybe if we were to get one and try her downstairs in the kitchen with it first, and if she doesn't like it, try putting her in it in our bedroom? what do you think?
Help!

If your dog ever has to stay at the vets she'll need to be in a cage so it makes sense to have her used to one from the start - that way it's one less thing to worry about. I feed my cocker in her pen so that she'll eat if she ever has to stay. My parents cocker refused to eat at the vets as she wasn't used to eating in a cage and caused loads of problems!!

I use a cage as a safe place to keep Hooly (safe for her and safe for my house!!) I know that if I leave her in her cage whenever I come back she'll be ok - a bit like a baby in a playpen really, only with a lid on to stop them climbing out the top :D

Fiona
x x x

Fiona
Thanks again for the advice. It makes sense.
I just have to persuade my husband, I think he thinks it's cruel "locking" them up. She wouldn't have to be in it all day would she??
Lisa

Afternoon All
we use a crate for our dog ( in the uk ! ) and have done since day one ,our house is open plan so we needed to have somewhere to confine the little cherub .
we put blankets and toys in and left the door open so he could come and go and he's been fine with it .
he whined to go out for the first 3 weeks during the night and I spent a few of them on the sofa ,personally I think if the dog is asking to go out then it's only fair to respond It's still very early days
Liz :)

I just put my dog in there, he never minded at all. Make it a good place, you can feed her in their, praise her when she goes in, put toys in their. You can leave the kennel open to let her explore it, and also shut the door with her in it so she is use to being in it. Just make it a happy place, most dogs see it as their own place.

Many thanks.
As I said to Fiona, I'm gonna try and persuade my husband, hopefully it will help her settle down.

Like anything else, cages can be misused, and I disliked them until I saw adults who had been in one as pups trying to get through a door that was too now small for them as soon as the little cage appeared :-). When you think about it, going into a private, safe 'den' is natural for a pup. If you get a cage, make a nice cosy bed in the corner, with lots of toys and treats, and try draping an old blanket over the top, back and sides to make a 'cave'. I think you'll soon find that far from being cruel, the puppy loves it.

If you do buy a cage, I'd go for one that is big enough for her when she's adult. That way if a potty accident does happen, the cage is big enough that she isn't forced to do it in her bed (bed fouling isn't natural to a dog, but its something they learn fast, and don't seem to 'unlearn' easily). Also cages have lots of uses for adult dogs - you may want to transport her at some time, and if she's ever injured or ill a cage can be invaluable.

Lisa --your puppy will settle ,I agree with everything Sharon has said in the above post regarding cages,Also like kids if they are warm and cosy they are inclined to sleep longer I also relinquished my dressing gown to the dog and that seemed to help :)
Liz
HTH

Hi everyone
Well, last night was better than the nights before. Amber went to bed at 11.45pm and didn't wake until 4am. After a little while I went down to let her out, she did a wee and came back in (she'd also done 2 wee's and 2 poo's on paper in the kitchen beforehand). She started whining 20 minutes later so my husband went down to tell her to be quiet. We didn't hear anything from her then until 6.30 (she seems to be waking up at this time every morning so far).
I'm also going to buy her a hot water bottle today, wrap it up in a towel and put it under her blankets in her bed, see if that helps aswell.
Hopefully, this is the start! :) I'll keep you posted.
Thanks everyone for all your advice. Don't know what I'd do without this website now. :)

Dear Lousalo
Did you ever get a good night sleep or is the problem still a problem. Just got a 8 week lab and its so distressing to hear her at night.
Tricia