Hi folks.
Only a week now for us to collect our labrador pup(can't wait). Would welcome everyones ideas on how to settle him in on his first few nights. He will be sleeping in the kitchen and not allowed on furniture and upstairs(sorry if some people think this is harsh but it's how i believe it should be). I have read its best to let your pup sleep in your bedroom for a few nights but i am concerned i'll be making a rod for my own back. Also don't know weather to leave him in the kitchen and ignore the crying. All repies will be really appreciated. thanks xx

I've always had mine sleeping where I intend them to sleep from day 1. I've also used a hotwater bottle (under bedding) and also had a loud ticking clock in the kitchen. When our pups left home, they went with a piece of their bedding (clean, but smelling of "home") plus a cuddly toy that they & their litter mates had played with before they left us. Apparently, they all settled well.

Ask your breeder if s/he could do the same thing.

Margot

Our pup also brought home a piece of his bed with the familiar smells .
Whether sleeping upstairs or down , no way is the right way its just whatever is best for you and pup .If you dont want pup sleeping upstairs in the future then dont allow pup to sleep there when you first bring pup home ! Be harsh as pup wil get used to it.
Good luck :)

Hi guest,
My dogs sleep in the kitchen and aren't allowed upstairs, so I'm with you all the way!

Remember a new pup has never been alone before in its life, so, just like a child in boarding school, the first few nights are horrid. Some people have the pup's bed in their bedroom at first, and gradually move it onto the landing, then downstairs, then into the kitchen. Others make sure the pup is fed, watered, has been outside for a wee and a poo, has a cosy, small, warm bed and leave it to get on with it (generally what I do) and others will sleep downstairs with the pup for the first few nights to keep it company.

None of these methods is right and none wrong. Do what you (and the pup) feel happiest with.
:)

Agree completely with Margot, mine have always slept in the kitchen from the first night, (they have their beds in the lounge now, just my choice) The hot water bottle, ticking clock and cuddly toy worked a treat for my Golden, just one sleepless night :) Didn't really work for my Flatcoat, but we persevered, anyway all dogs are different. Have you thought about getting a crate to keep the pup safe when out of your sight etc??

liberty

The first night we got Sooty (black lab) we put her in the kitchen with her bed and loads of toys. She did settle down but in the middle of the night she woke us up with her crying. We thought we'd take her into the bedroom for that one night but the next night she was just the same...not nice for the other neighbours as we live in a maisonette! She now sleeps in the bedroom and will not settle unless my boyfriend puts the jeans he's been wearing that day on the floor! So the only thing i could advise you is try using a piece of clothing like we do and maybe buy her a pigs ear or a teething bone as her little gums will be sore for a while and will chew anything in her view. Sooty's new game is to chew the new wallpaper and carpets so the whole lot is going to need done again! Let me know how you get on & good luck!

Gus our SBT sleeps upstairs on the bed and although it wasnt a problem as such when he was small there aint much room for us all now :)
and boy is he fidgety ;)

Thanks folks, what's everyones views on going to him or leaving him if he cries. should i just leave him to tire himself out. I am considering a crate for nights only. i'm worrying that i'll cause more probs if i go back to him when he cries.(i'm a bit soppy and will find it hard to ignore him. xx

As hard as it seems IGNORE him, otherwise he'll realise that when he cries, you'll appear, and even if you scold him, to a dog attention is attention!!! It may take a couple of weeks, but you'll reap the benefits in the long run.

liberty

Some breeders will allow you to give them an old sweater or something to put in the bed with the puppies. When you collect the puppy you bring the sweater home and put in the puppy's bed. The familiar smell will help settle him for his first night.

I never go down to a crying puppy unless I believe it is time for it to be taken outside. If you do the puppy will be learning that it can recall you by crying.

Regards, John

Sooty's 12wks old and managed to get up on the bed last week for the first time. She jumps up all the time now and trys to sleep between us...i think she's jealous! She stamps on our faces and munches on my ponytail. This usually starts at 6am! It's bad but we can't help laughing. So unless you want to be up early in the morning, let them stay in the kitchen!