Hi All,

Can anybody help? We have got a Westie puppy who is now 7 weeks old. We have had her for four days(three nights) now and when we leave her at night she is quiet for the first few hours but then around midnight, starts to cry constantly until we get up in the morning(6.00 ish) First night we got up to her and let her out but it made no difference, since then, we have left her but got up earlier and she still cries. She also whinges a lot during the day when we are holding her and when she is on the floor. We feed her regularly and let her out after meals etc. We are doing everything as we should. She isn't eating a lot, could she be hungry? Is it too soon to try her with something different. We are currently feeding her what the breeder fed her. She has been to the vets and and been checked over. She is lively enough.

Thanx for any help we are getting desperate as we need our sleep too.

Hi, it sounds like you got your puppy at around 6 weeks, which is younger than usual as most pups go to new homes at 8 weeks old or maybe 7, so she is very small and missing her litter mates. She should be having at least 4 and maybe 5 little meals a day. What has the breeder advised you to feed and how often ? Puppies do often lose their appetites for a week or so in their new home, but not all breeders recommend a suitable diet, so it would be helpful to know what she is being fed before you consider changing it. ! As far as the sleep is concerned,you are doing the right thing IMO by ignoring her once you have gone to bed. She should be fed for the last time about an hour and a half before you go to bed, which should give her time to have a poop before bedtime, and not be too hungry overnight. If you have a loud ticking clock, that sometimes helps to settle them. Dont under estimate the usefullness of ear plugs ( I'm serious!!), Boots do some very comfy foam ones. Try to organise things so she has a good play and romp about afterwards and then be sleepy when you are ready for bed. Can you leave food down for her overnight - in case it is hunger. I assume that she has a draught-free, warm, cosy bed with toys and something safe to chew. If she is feeling a bit miserable in the day time do be cheerful with her, dont sympathise with lots of "aaah poor baby" but be enthusiastic and positive. Does she have the run of the downstairs in the daytime or is she usually confined in the kitchen/room. :-)

I agree with what Westie Lover said;) Sounds like you have got her rather young considering I'm expecting this soon but with an 8 week old. Again try the ticking clock wrapped in a towel in her bed and/or a hot water bottle wrapped up too as this is like the mothers heartbeat and warmth. Good Luck:)

Stacey

You've already had good advice on helping you very little baby to come to terms with her new surroundings. Can I just clear a few points up? You say she's 'quiet for the first few hours but then around midnight' she starts to cry. How many hours is a 'few' 2? 3? This means she is being left for a total of 8 or 9 hours if you don't get up to her. In my opinion this is too long for a little baby - it would really help her training if somebody could get up and take her out so she's not left longer than say 4 hours - you'll probably find initially she get's into the habit of expecting you to be there and start to whine, but as her bladder control improves she'll start sleeping through the night (just like a human baby, only quicker). Keep the whole procedure low key (minimal lights, noise and fuss). Note I say 'take her out' as opposed to 'let her out' as somebody really ought to go with her in order to encourage her to do what is required, and also be able to reward her for doing the right thing immediatly - a little praise and reward will go along way towards her making the connection between what she's doing and what you would like her to do.