Morning all :)

This is my first help post! :)

Molly has settled in beautifully into the family :)  She is happy, confident, all  toilets are  outside and she is a gorgeous little girl.

Our only issue is night times.  She is not settling.  Think she is suffering a little seperation anxiety.

I will give you a wee run down of the set up/routine etc to see if we need to change anything

Her crate is in the living room as the hallway is just too cold at the moment.  She is warm, soft bed, big teddy, hotwater bottle and ticking clock.

She is happy in her crate as she often just takes herself off to bed when she is tired but as soon as we go to bed she cries. She has a really good play and outside for the loo before bed.   Initially a hand clap and a firm no stopped her but does not seem to be working now.  Having her upstairs is not an option.  Upstairs is where my cats have sanctuary so this needs to stay a dog free zone.

Getting up in the night to let her out for a wee does not bother me at all, I just want her to feel secure and happy the rest of the night.

What is the best way to tackle this?

Thanks

Ali

Ali,
If Molly is kept in her crate at night in your room would this still upset the cats? Can they have use of another room at night?

Or it would be to look to sleep on the sofa at night and slowly move yourself out over the next few days.

You've done everything right as I would of done and most people on here. I don't like dogs in bedrooms either, for me its more having a large breed and don't want them going up and down the stairs, which is why I never did that, but mine never caused any issue.

Do you think she may settle if you leave a radio or TV on low?

Have a look at this thread which is currently running, as they were having the same problems.

http://www.champdogsforum.co.uk/board/topic/127908.html

Thanks for the repies.

Will move hubbby downstairs for a while then! lol :)

Definitely cannot have her upstairs.  My cats are huge wimps and our bedroom is their room.  I think they feel a bit insecure at the moment anyway and I think taking away their comfort zone would be a mistake.  BUT we are happy for one of us to sleep downstairs with her for a while.

Thanks for the link pedlee.  I have had a read and sounds like this worked for them.

I am not too worried as she is new and in a strange place and it is understandable, but wasn't sure of the best way to help her. 

Got some ideas now so thanks :)

Will let you know how we get on , Fingers crossed :)

> Initially a hand clap and a firm no stopped her

I wouldn't be frightening a youngster like this.

Hey Sue :)

We have left the radio on low for her too.  Bless her.  She is such a little love :)  She adores the boys which I am so glad with. 

Hopefully she will soon learn she hasn't been deserted.

Can't wait til she is big enough to come down the stables with me.  Where she came from had horses so hopefully she will be ok with them. :)

Hi Jean,  she is not at all frightened.  I was advised to do this and it distracts her.  It it not used to fighten her, just distract her and then she is praised.

The reason it stopped working because she thought it was a game.
:)

Balibee.  As Sue has said sleeping downstairs with her is the way to go. One of ours came to us at nine months and not a breed that should do stairs! Initially settled but as soon as we went up began to howl & then bay and it's not a sound that is easy to ignore!
He was in the kitchen and I slept on the floor just out of sight, when he got up and started to howl, told him to go to his basket. It took two/three weeks to get back up stairs but he settled quickly and was calm, moved further away each night, some think I was 'mad' to do it this way but everyone slept and the dog was less stressed. Good luck and enjoy.

Thanks Lacy :)  We are going to start that tonight :)

What is the best way to tackle this?

Put her crate by your bed for a little while :-) Carry on doing the rest of what your doing 'cept where you leave her at night.

Think of it this way: litter mates to isolation - great!!

I'd agree with sleeping near the pup and gradually moving further way and back to bedroom.

Thanks everyone.

She had a very peaceful night.  Just a wee stop about 2.30am :)  Hubby had the lounge last night.  My turn tonight :)

Such a simple obvious thing and it works miracles :)