Puppy Crying At Night Advice

fleetingmind

So we've had our new puppy for just over a week and he's 9 weeks old. Mum and dad were guard dogs who must have got bored. Mum and dad lost interest fairly early and he
slept on the floor with his brothers and sisters and not trained at all. 

First night he cried in his crate even jumping up at the crate inside so now he sleeps in his crate in the lounge and my wife on the sofa in the same room. Following nights he did really well and would sleep and cry/whine when he needed a wee, which was great.
Now tonight about a week in he suddenly won't stop crying. I"ve taken him outside 10 times with no interaction (to apparently teach them that whining is good as they tell you they need a see and go outsude but also it only leads to going outside and no interaction) but the minute we're outside he goes to the back door and whines to go in then the second he's back in his crate and the door is shut  he starts crying again. 

He's well fed through the day and gets played with a lot. He has also today put himself in his crate. 

We've had a few instances when my wife has gone out and he's cried but I guess that's normal. Want to avoid any separation issues and he then wrecks the house. 

Our last dog was pretty much perfect and we don't remember these things like crying and continually going to wee in the house 

While we know you can't compare dogs and it's early days and a big shock to him early days are tough.

Any ideas or tips or good books or sites to use? Thank you. 

sheramber

The Perfect Puppy by Gwen Bailey.

Videos by Kikopup   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A0fWfSAvan8

squirrelchops2

There is a very good Facebook group called Dog Training Advice and Support. Lots of modules to read through and it is run by trained behaviourists.

Personally we chose to put pup's crate in our bedroom - we did not have 1 night of crying EVER! Also when he did wake for a pee we could carry him straight downstairs and outside thus avoiding him toiletting in the house. We only ever had a few wees ever and did not use those puppy pads either! Having him in our room meant he could hear us and being near I think really helped him settle. I know having a dog upstairs is not for everyone but why make a rod for your own back with pup crying, being unsettled etc. You are more likely to be breeding separation anxiety by letting them cry and get anxious.

sheramber

I agree with sqirrelchops2.

It is better to work with your pup, rather than against them. You will bond quicker that way.

elsien

That is a very good facebook group, I'd also recommend it.
Your pup is a baby. He's only 9 weeks old. It's completely unrealistic to expect him to be settled after a week when he's lost everything familiar or to have any inkling about house training.
I also suspect your "perfect" other dog is being viewed through rose tinted glasses, to a degree. 

Another recommended book is

Easy Peasy Puppy Squeezy by Steve Mann -- again only positive methods used.

Soot2006

I'm also on that Facebook group and highly recommend, too!

I hope you've been able to settle your puppy, OP .

No1Witch

Hi 
My Jackapoo is really having problems settling at night, we thought about letting him cry it out last night, but didn't want to upset our neighbours.  He's our 5th dog and the worst for training re his wees and separation issues.  During the day he is brill and he's played with and gets plenty of exercise   though he does like to dig the flowers tubs up.  Then the final straw is he is always sick in the car.  My husband is now getting so fed up he is saying he's got to go and that he knew we'd have problems but he did it for me!!!  But to be honest he picked the breed, the actual one from the litter and finally he's name.  But it seems it's all my fault as I was the one who wanted a puppy..  Any ideas on training and car sickness. 

sheramber

You don't say old he is but remember a puppy is a baby. A small dog has a small bladder.
You need to keep him under observation all the time.
He should be TAKEN outside  to toilet after each meal, after he wakes from a sleep. after playing for a while.
By watching him you should recognise the signs he needs to go- sniffing the ground, circling etc. Each has thier own signs of preparing to go.
When you recognise that lift him up and TAKE him  outside.
When he goes introduce a cue word and reward him WHERE HE GOES. In time you will be able to use the cue word when appropriate.
It is very important that you TAKE him out and not just out him out . You can prevent him getting distracted and forgetting what he is out to do.
Lots of praise when he goes. It can help to  take him to the same place each time as he will associate it with toileting.

Car sickness is common with puppies. They usually grow out of it although some adult dogs do still suffer from it. They have not learned to adjust to the motion of the car.
I have had two puppies who were sick in the car until they were 9 months old.
Either have him on someone's knee or in a small carrier  or small bed  so he is secure.  Take plenty of paper towels.
Do not feed immediately before travelling. A ginger biscuit can sometimes help.

Puppies are hard work and you are now 10 or more years older than when you got your last pup.  The old dog was easy to manage as it had learned  your ways  but a new puppy is very different.
Lifestyles change over the years.
Your husband has probably forgotten what is was like to have a puppy and  expected the puppy to immediately blend into the  space the old dog had.

Now that things are opening up again, find a local training class which uses positive reward methods.
For nighttime  earlier posts have some advice.
Remember your puppy has lost the family he knew and needs to feel secure in his new home. He will settle more quickly by working with him than against him. Either sleep beside him or have him beside you. that way you can reassure him when he needs it and will be wakened if he is restless and needs to go out during the night.

But if your husband is really against having  him you need consider the options very carefully to avoid further stress which your puppy will pick up.

 

No1Witch

Thanks @Sheramber for your thoughts on our 4.5months puppy.   Everything you have suggested we are already doing and although my husband has his concerns re our little fellow he is the one that will spend time with him coaxing and encouraging him to remain calm and relaxed.
Please also be assured we are working with him and not against him, for that reason I thought I would ask for any ideas on here, and maybe just needed a bit of support rom those not close to the situation.  Perhaps now in hindsight I shouldn't.

Soot2006

No1Witch said:

Hi 
My Jackapoo is really having problems settling at night, we thought about letting him cry it out last night, but didn't want to upset our neighbours.  He's our 5th dog and the worst for training re his wees and separation issues.  During the day he is brill and he's played with and gets plenty of exercise   though he does like to dig the flowers tubs up.  Then the final straw is he is always sick in the car.  My husband is now getting so fed up he is saying he's got to go and that he knew we'd have problems but he did it for me!!!  But to be honest he picked the breed, the actual one from the litter and finally he's name.  But it seems it's all my fault as I was the one who wanted a puppy..  Any ideas on training and car sickness. 

Deep breath - puppies are exhausting, physically and emotionally.  My husband and I sleep in separate rooms when we get a new puppy, as there's no way we wouldn't turn on each other from all the emotion. 

The sleeping - put the crate right by your bed and drop a hand down to settle your puppy. Or sleep down wherever the crate is. He just needs some reassurance and you need to know when he's distressed - needing toilet or even waking up hungry.

Their vestibular system doesn't really mature until 12 months so car sickness is very common. Sometimes a ginger biscuit to chew on in the car really helps - or consider how he is travelling - crate versus dog car seat etc. My pup only travelled well in a little crate with a blanket over the top, otherwise he got nauseous. He grew out of it! He also grew out of biting, crying at night, etc ...

You will OK! You're probably really tired form it all, and the conflict with your husband. Mine is the same. He loves the dogs, but when things are difficult it's suddenly my fault!

elsien

Letting him cry it out is a bad idea, you just end up with a dressed puppy and stressed owners. I second Soot2006 suggestions about sleeping near him so he can be reassured and also indicate when he needs to go out.
With regards to the car sickness, how much does he need to go in the car at the moment? Might be better to avoid it more for now or try to do shorter journeys so he doesn’t start to associate the car with being sick, if that’s practicable for you.