Hi,
My 10 week old Pyreneam Mountain dog is only sleeping for about two hours at a time through the night.  We have only had him just over a week and from the first night we put him in a large cage.  Throughout the days we have the cage door open and he wonders in and out playing with his toys. At night he just barks and barks getting louder and louder.  We ignore it at first and then have to let him out to prevent the neighbours complaining. As soon as he is out he settles very quickly in the kitchen, (where the cage is) and then sleeps for the remainder of the night.  Do you think that I should just forget the cage  or can anyone offer advice ?
Thanks
Kay

Hi Kay
I certainly see your problem re the neighbours, but unfortunately you have now taught the pup that barking DOES work as he will eventually be let out. I think you will have to decide whether you want to persevere with the crate (and then leave the pup the whole night and NOT go to him) or if you're happy to leave the pup out of it, but in one room only. Personally I don't use crates for my large puppies, only the toy breeds, but that is just my own preference. Of course without a crate you WILL get puddles overnight more than with a crate.

One of my latest puppies I delivered to his new home as it was in Northern Ireland and we spent a weekend with the new owner. He was crated on his first night and he made such a lot of noise that first night I swear nobody in the whole STREET was able to sleep -I have never heard anything as bad! I must admit had it been my puppy and at home here I'd have given in! But his new owner persevered despite everyone being unable to sleep. The second night he was quiet and slept in his crate and has been ever since!

Marianne

Hi,
Thanks for that.  I think I will give the kitchen floor another try tonight. 
Kay

If he's settling fine in the kitchen, I'd leave him in there.....  Each time you go to him when he's barking is meaking him think he must bark to get your attention and teaching him to bark for what he wants.  The longer you leave it before you go to him, the more determined he will become that it's lots of barking that works.

I am going to give the kitchen a try tonight.  I'm a bit confused with your answer.  Are you saying to go to him as soon as he starts barking ?
Thanks
Kay

No, I'm saying try and eliminate the need for barking in the first place......

Yeah !  Success last night.  He went to sleep in the kitchen at 11pm and didn't wake until 6am when my husband got up.  No mess in the kitchen either.  I just hope it continues.
Thanks for advice.
Kay

Brilliant! :D

I tried getting my pup to sleep in the crate gave up after 1st night no-one got any sleep,and my two sons and Husband had work the next day so we left her out and she is fine she sleeps downstairs no probs,and comes and wakes us in the morning.Everyone is happy.