Hello all

I'm a newcomer to this site but thought I'd see if anyone had some new ideas.

We brought our new Cocker Spaniel pup home on Friday night, and having had 3 very restless nights wondered if there's something we can try that we haven't already thought of.

He was in a crate in our room the first two nights - the first night he whined for a while but then we calmed him down, he woke up two or three times but was calmed relatively quickly. The following night he was a lot more noisy for a lot longer, and he was the same last night. Last night we tried him in a cardboard box by the bed so we could comfort him if he got in a state, but we're finding that he just won't calm down - when he wakes in the night he's raring to go and it's very hard to calm him enough to go back to sleep. I think we're probably going to him too quickly when he makes a fuss, as we're worried not only about the neighbours, but mainly about our other dog who's epilectic so we try to avoid hinm having too much stress for too long.

We are thinking that we may put him back in the crate tonight but downstairs, so that we can't got to him so quickly and he's slightly easier to ignore, but I'm worried that having had him in our room the last 3 nights he will go totally beserk.

We also left him on his own for the first time this morning, when we went out for 15 mins (our other dog was left at home as well). We'd already left him in rooms on his own and he'd been fine. However he started whining, then yelped and then howled till we got back (a camcorder we set up recorded it all!). When he's been left in rooms on his own it's been just on a blanket he likes rather than the crate, as he's taken himself there for a rest, so we do need to get him more used to the crate I know.

So any suggestions? He's very vocal anyway which we hope will reduce living with us since our other dog (a Springer Spaniel) is very quiet and calm (believe it or not!), but we're worried that these first few days point to a very loud, hyperactive dog! I could well be over sensitive since it was 6 years since our Springer was a pup and he's always been very good, but I'd like some other dog owners opinions, and to hear their experiences!

Thanks

Welcome to the site and congratulations on your new baby:-)

My pup is now 14 weeks and from day one he was put in his indoor (very comfy) kennel, in the kitchen. He had a hot water bottle, ticking clock, loads of blankets and a few of his toys. There was also drinking water and some newspaper incase he needed a wee. We didn't have one bad night with him, maybe it was because we couldn't hear him! but he sleeps right through now with his kennel door open and no noise. I would suggest you try him downstairs and as long as you know he has everything he needs and doesn't need toilet (if you are letting him out to go) then ignore him for a while. It will take a while but they soon learn. This is just my opinion based on my own experience, I hope others will come give you their oinions too, so you will get a range of advice to choose from. Good luck HTH. :-)

when i got my pup 8 wks ago, he too was having trouble settling on a nite in his crate at the end of our bed. i found that by sleeping on the floor beside the crate for the first week worked for me. every time he woke he could see and hear me, felt safe and went back to sleep. the second week i lay at the side for a little while then jumped back into my bed, now he goes in quite happily and sleeps almost straight throu, occassionally needing out for a pee.
i know some might not agree with this but it worked well for me :-)

i havent managed to leave him at home alone yet with out the cryin and howlin, still workin on that so cant help with that bit im afraid. but good luck and it will get better (she says hopefully lol  :-)  )

Personally I would put him in his crate cover the crate with a blanket make his bed on one side maybe with some vetbed plus an old piece of clothing with your smell on it and a puppy pad  a little bowl of water and leave him he may cry for a few nights but if you go to him his crying has worked, as long as your play with him a little before bedtime then toilet give him a little cuddle (I also have put the heating on for a little as the warm will make him a little more sleepy) then switch of the light and go to bed.I'm sure your neighbours will understand if you have a word that youve got a new puppy I'm sure he will only whimper for a little then hopefully fall asleep.
If you do feel the need to go to him dont talk or make a fuss just let him out for a wee and then put him back in his crate and go back to bed.
Persistance and routine is the key well anyway it worked for me and hope it does for you too.