Help! First Night Horror, 8wk puppy whining

[winky]

Hello. I got my 8-week old rott yesterday and the first night he kept crying, whimpering, and howling all night. I had him close to my bed and even put him on my nightstand at one point so he could see me from his crate. In hindsight, I made the mistake of taking him out several times and he fell asleep in my lap. I just want to know that this is normal! How long will this last? Should I ignore him, so he knows that crying won't get him out of the crate? Thanks!

[Meeka]

Hello Winky, It's been a few years but that sounds about right to me. I don't have a sure proof method of getting through the first week or so but I can pass on what worked for me. Get a noisy wind up alarm clock, do NOT set the alarm. I wrapped one of my t-shirts (previously worn) around it and hoped for the best. A year from now you'll have forgotten all about this phase. Enjoy your puppy, time goes by too quickly.

[poohbearsmom]

Originally Posted by winky

Hello. I got my 8-week old rott yesterday and the first night he kept crying, whimpering, and howling all night. I had him close to my bed and even put him on my nightstand at one point so he could see me from his crate. In hindsight, I made the mistake of taking him out several times and he fell asleep in my lap. I just want to know that this is normal! How long will this last? Should I ignore him, so he knows that crying won't get him out of the crate? Thanks!

Yes, you made a big mistake when you took him out during his tantrum!

As long as you know he's empty when he goes in the crate, ignore him and his tyrades.... barking like this is a very self rewarding behavior. If you need to, cover the crate (like a parrot), so that he's not able to view you walking towards the crate at any time during a tantrum (even this will send a message that he's succeeding with his tyrade).

Once your pup figures out that all the wailing in the world will not get him what he wants, he will stop this behavior.

I've had easy dogs to crate train (usually the girls), and I've had brats. My oldest boy carried on for nearly a month - he was a determined little guy..LOL.

Be patient. Put the crate in another part of the house if you have to, but be firm in your behavior, and it will extinguish his unwanted behavior.

Reward good behavior - if he's quiet - even for a moment, you can let him out... but if he's pitching a fit, ignore him.

In addition, by playing games with the crate (tossing toys or treats in for him to retrieve, by feeding him in the crate, and by placing him in there for short periods while you're milling around the house, you can help him learn that the crate is not a bad, evil box that keeps him away from you. He will learn that the crate is HIS space, and he'll learn to appreciate that.

[frontierrots]

also make sure he's tired before going to bed. play with him with toys etc right before you take him out for last potty (which is directly before crating for the night).

This will make him tired and "less" apt to throw as big of a fit

[SABELLESMOM]

By taking him out, you're teaching him that his tirades work. The oposite of what you want, a dog who will go to sleep with out fussing and messing around. You've gotten good advice, already so I won't repeat.

Enjoy your new pup. Get involved in some formal classes, and train yourself the best, smartest and most intellegent companion imaginable! And have fun doing it! You won't regret a minute of training and effort you are willing to put into him.

[winky]

Thank you! This helps. So, is it okay to keep the pup in the crate most of the day only being let out a few minutes at a time to potty and eat?

[winky]

Originally Posted by Meeka

Get a noisy wind up alarm clock, do NOT set the alarm. I wrapped one of my t-shirts (previously worn) around it and hoped for the best. A year from now you'll have forgotten all about this phase. Enjoy your puppy, time goes by too quickly.

Is this to drown out the sound? Thanks for the encouragement!

[frontierrots]

no he should not be in his crate almost all the time

he needs at MINIMUM 3 hours a day of socializing and play and training PLUS potty and eating ime

That's the bare minimum. On non work days he should ONLY be in the crate at night or when you are not home or cannot 100%supervise him

I thought you meant just at night

describe what sort of schedule you are talking about?

[winky]

Well, I've arranged it so I can work at home, so I'll be able to play with him a lot. Thanks!

[Meeka]

I guess if it was loud enough it could :) No, actually if the little guy is ready for bed (played out, fed and peeded) he may find your scent comforting and the ticking relaxing. I didn't say so but those were meant to go in the crate with him/her. It's been about 10 yrs. since I went though the puppie stage and it's tough to remember the down side. I do remember that my little girl was VERY determined not to go down easy! The wife is certain it went on for weeks! Keep us posted. Is this your first?

[Anne]

Originally Posted by winky

Thank you! This helps. So, is it okay to keep the pup in the crate most of the day only being let out a few minutes at a time to potty and eat?

No it's not OK to keep the pup in the crate most of the day and all night. Pups need to run around and play. Very little muscle development will happen if you crate your pup for too long. Why would you want a pup to stay in the crate for most of its life?

[Canadianrotti]

the rule of thumb with crate time is hours in months they are old, plus one. so your pup is about 2 m/o, so crate time should be about 3hr max.

BTW, sounds like you have a normal pup to me!!

[winky]

Thanks. Buster's doing better and it's only been 3 days. I have another question that I'll post in a new thread.

[Dimitri]

mine did the same thing. i had him close to my bed inside his crate and offered my hand out to him to ease him and it worked. problem now is trying to figure out if he wants out to do his business or he just wants out of his crate. the 2nd and 3rd night, when i put him inside the crate for the night, he cried himself to sleep. i have to admit that was the hardest thing i had to do and ignore him!

[mindue]

I have a 8 week pup. got him when he was 7 weeks. he has been whining and crying constantly for a week. i just purchased a squirt gun. not a super soaker, but a small water gun. before he gets a squirt, i say ssshhhhh and give him a squirt. i have only been doing this for a day, but there is a DRASTIC difference in his crying. much much less whining and crying.