ok slight potted history. Max is a 16 week old chocolate labrador puppy. In almost every way he is perfect had no real problems just panicked over a few minor ones. He sleeps in a crate and goes in there when I work. In the 8 weeks we have had him he once barked about 3 or four times one night last week. We didnt go down and he stopped and settled. I was only saying yesterday how good at night he is a last week was only minor hiccup. Well I tempted fate and should of kept quiet as last night he barked and he barked and he barked. Now I know some of you will say we should take him upstairs. Well I cant really do this as have ancient 3 legged cat who tolerates max but isnt his greatest fan and he has always slept in our room He was here first and i dont want to uproot him. Also we dont have max upstairs full stop which he knows and he never attempts to go up. The reason for this being that I have four small children and while they know not to leave toys on the floor downstairs they cant keep their bedrooms spotless all the time and max could possibly choke on a small toy. Pluse for for 54 nights out of 56 max has not been bothered at all. Why could this be? I knwo none of you are psychic but he was just frantic last night. Everything was normal yesterday and everything is normal with him. The only slight change was he had a different flavour jwb food yesterday and a wormer but he has had wormer before. He didnt need the toilet as we came down 3 times and each time he just threw himself on floor and whined (very unlike him) i checked him all over in the night and have re checked him thorughley today and cant find any sore bitrs. His poo is normal and he has behaved totally like his normal sefl today. Why might this have happened?? Any advice gratefully received.

Could have been the change of food or the wormers. You are doing the right thing in not taking him upstairs as once up there they expect it every time. So long as you are happy he is well (check with the vet if you think otherwise) I would carry on ignoring his cries. If checking if he needs the loo at night keep it all very low key and put him straight back in his crate. He could be just finding his feet and testing you out to see if you'll crack, DON'T. Buy some earplugs if he carries on with the crying he'll soon give up when he realises it gets no reward.

Our Kayla did this when she was about 14 weeks, she had been sleeping through from 11 til 5.30 without any trouble but one night she yapped, barked, howled, the lot. Of course we took her out at about 2am(the time she had been taken out a few weeks before)incase that was the reason but she didn't do anything while out. So we decided to leave her, cruel as it sounds, and the next day she was hoarse, opened mouth to bark but nothing came out. The following night she was as good as gold and 18months down the line is brilliant at night unless she's ill of course! She never was brought upstairs as a pup and actaully prefers to sleep in the kitchen in her own bed than come upstairs, unlike Chloe. I think as long as you are sure that he is ok, not in pain, needing water, the toilet etc then don't be afraid to leave him. According to the book infront of me a pup of 10 weeks can go 11 through til 6 without needing the toilet but I'd always make sure before ignoring him. Just try to wait for 10secs of quiet before entering the room, difficult I know, or you maybe rewarding his behaviour, if not then do it without fuss and quietly praise him if he does do something then back in crate.
Really hope this helps, it can be hard having a pup in the house but appreciate the time while he is small-it soon passes! :)
Emily

thank you both very much. I really dont think there is anything wrong with him he has been fine all day if not a little tired!! Me too!!! I am going to try and ignore him tonight as he has never weed at night since day 1 so cant see why he would need to now. I think he is pushing his luck but didnt know whether it was cruel to ignore him altohugh oh thinks max is more cruel for keeping us up for hours!!! Will let you know how we get on.

Sounds silly, but it was a bit cooler last night (was here anyway), maybe he couldn't get warm. Was he hungry perhaps, growing lad - maybe needs a snack before bedtime.
When we first got our pup (he's nearly two now) at night we put him in a puppy playpen until we were sure he was housetrained. One particular night he wouldn't settle at all. In the end I crept downstairs, didn't talk to him, popped him into the garden (just incase that was the problem) then put him back in his bed. I still didn't talk (although I was desperate to make a fuss !) because I guessed it was attention he was after. Then I walked out of the kitchen and hid behind the door in the dark. Everytime I heard him start to whine I just shouted "No" very firmly. It was tough because I felt so sorry for him but it paid off. After a few minutes he gave up, went to sleep and it never happened again. After a few weeks he had the run of the house and now sleeps on our bed with the cat - not something we'd intended but wouldn't change a thing !!.

Val

thanks val i didnt think of the possibilty of him being cold? I am just praying he doesnt do it tonight!

So, how did it go ?!

Val

didnt even squeak last night did normal routine and he went staright to sleep and didnt make a sound for 8 hours???? Obviousley pleased but just wonder what on earth was going on obn monday night? Oh well fingers crossed he doesnt do it again!

Might be a daft suggestion, but you don't think it could have been an insect or something, do you? We're being plagued by "daddy long legs" at the moment, and they drive Sparky nuts!

i did think that could be a possibility and i suppose i will never know but it did go on for a long time surely a bug wouldnt of hung around for that long? iwish max could just speak and tell me got his knickers in a twist!

I dont know where you are in the country but apparently we had thunder down here badly on MOnday night.  I didnt hear it but our pup got my OH up out of bed as he was pacing the room and couldnt settle.

Claire

no we didnt have any thunder we were lying awake listening to puppy! lol