I know this is like asking how long is a piece of string and every dog is different but here goes...

I brought my new 10 week old miniature dachshund Molly home 2 weeks ago. She has settled really well but she has been sleeping upstairs with me in my bedroom as I live in a flat and her screams were too much for the neighbours.

The thing is, my neighbours are going away for 5 nights tomorrow and I'm wondering what the chances are of her settling in that time? Crates don't work, I tried one on the first night and she hated it. She seems much happier in a dog bed - well she does upstairs anyway!

Any comments gratefully received!

Ryan

Ryan, have you tried putting in a well covered heated hotwater bottle with her? and perhaps a ticking clock, also wrapped up.  I only needed the HW bottle for my pups last year. Worked a treat.  Good luck

Yes, I'm doing all that but like I said, she's been upstairs with me and has been fine. My question is, do you think we can crack it in 5 nights?

Hi,
The pup will do it in 5 nights if there isn't an alternative, But!! the crys will be awfull.
But!! Can you stand it? Does she have to?
Regards
Denese

Is there a specific reason why you want the pup to be in another room?

She's going in the kitchen because I dont want her in the bedroom, simple as that. I didn't want to traumatise her when I got her so shes been upstairs with me for 2 weeks but now I think the time is right.

Hi Ryan,

the simple answer is yes - in 5 nights most if not all regardless of how vocally adept they are would give up. 

Personally I'd make the move easier on her by firstly moving her downstairs and sleeping with her for a couple of nights say in the livingroom and then move the crate into the kitchen.  But that method may not be either practical or attractive to you.   Done that way and if she likes her dog bed why not put that in the crate too then the crate should seem less traumatic.  Also try feeding her in her crate in your kitchen even with the door open during the day so come night time when she's physically and mentally tired she will hopefully object less.

HTH, Teri

Thanks Teri, I'll come back and let you know how she gets on!

I have just done this with my new puppy, which we have had for 9 days. We slept in the front room with her while she was crated. It took three days for her to settle, and since then we have been sleeping upstairs and she has been downstairs (we can't have her in our bedroom because of how steep our stairs are - it would be too dangerous and too much for her joints). We go down to let her out for a wee at 3am and at 6am before getting up at 8am, and it has been worth it - she never makes a sound at night, and is dry at night. It was worth the few days sleeping on the sofa just to make sure she felt secure.

Hi I slept in the kitchen on the floor with my dobe when we got him as after a week he still hadn't settled.  He was in a crate but with the door open, he used to go in and out of it and keep sniffing me, he would try to settle next to me and I would make him uncomfortable so that he would move and go back to his own bed.  I think actually it was the fifth night that I went back up to my bed and he was okay, just a little whimper but nothing like the screaming.  Good luck, but everyone is different.

hi quest,
dacshunds like dark places to sleep in try putting her in a crate and covering it up with something,shes proberbly missing her litter mates so you could put an item of your worm clothing in with her so itll smell of you and she wont feel as alone and a cuddley toy to cuddle up to!
to get her used to the crate feed her in there and give her treats so she asociates the crate with nice things,and wen shes sleeping of a day put her in there with the door open,but of a nite befor you do to bed take her out to toilet then put her in the crate with a treat and try and leave her.shele soon get used to it.
but if she continues to cry of a nite all you can do is perservier and not go to her.itll be hard but once you go to her shele associate her making noise with you coming to her so shele do it all the more!
use the 5 nights ,shele prob cry for the first couple of night but shele settle in the end!
hope this helps & goodluck!
sarah x

Well........Molly screamed the place down on her first night in the kitchen and out of the bedroom. It was really tough to not go down to her but I persevered. Last night was her 2nd night and guess what? Not a peep!!! I'm thrilled. I just hope we don't go backwards and she starts screaming again tonight!

hi ryan!! you cracked it !!! i told you about a week , but 2 nights !!! WELL DONE  Molly !! lol. i agree that dachsies like dark places to sleep. they never lie on top of a blanket but underneath. i always have my crate covered 7 they all prefer it
caron

I know, it's fantastic! Last night was her 2nd cry-free night! She seems to be a very individual dachsie - she hates crates and doesn't like to be covered at all. She just has a simple dog bed in the kitchen and won't have it any other way! Suits me!

Another thing she does that is very weird is this. I have a baby gate between the lounge and the kitchen so that if I need to seperate myself from her for a short period (eg, mopping the floor) I can do so and she can still see me. I figured that she would prefer this to having the door shut completely and me out of sight. Boy was I wrong! If the gate is on, she goes beserk! If I then close the door - complete silence. How weird is that?! Perhaps she's sick of looking at me?!!!!!

R x

what a little character !!! thats why i luv em ,they all seem to have their own individual quirky ways ! the last of my pups went to his new home yesterday & i got a call from his very tired lady owner, saying he screamed the house down when left in kitchen last night & ended up in bed with her !!! SOUNDS FAMILIAR ;) ! LOL
Caron