Is Your Puppy Crying at Night
by Stan Rawlinson (The Original Doglistener)
www.doglistener.co.uk
It's entirely natural for a new puppy to call out for someone to come when separated. Pups alone in the wild would not survive without this alarm system. Therefore all your new dog is doing is following instinct. Either in the nesting box or in the wild, a puppy learns very quickly that when separated from the pack, calls for help will allow other members of the pack to quickly locate him.
If the puppy is very distressed and clearly upset, then I will often suggest allowing it to sleep in your bedroom, but within an indoor kennel/crate. Then over a period of time move the crate in stages to the spot where you want the puppy to stay for instance the kitchen.
However it is vital to have a play-pen as well as the crate with paper down in the playpen NOT THE CRATE so that the dog can defecate and urinate. Shutting the crate door on a very young puppy could be a total disaster. It can cause crate aversion and toileting problems, it will definitely cause anxiety. Therefore until the pup is at least twelve to thirteen weeks old I would not shut the crate door overnight. (See toileting with a crate)
Then over a period of time move the crate in stages to the spot where you want the puppy to stay, for instance the kitchen. You will normally know if the puppy seriously distressed if it starts throwing itself at the bars trying desperately to escape, defecating or urinating in the crate is also a sign of distress.
If you decide that the bedroom is not the best place for the puppy, and their are some very good reasons why pups should not be allowed upstairs. Not least the fact that the bones are soft at this age and the pressure on the joints of the front legs whilst manoeuvring downstairs can cause a condition called over- run. This is when the bone between the pastern and the forearm (see points of the dog) pushes over the forearm joint causing lameness and premature arthritis
The first thing you need to know about how to overcome this noise problem is you must ignore it, to go down and scold the puppy would be counter productive, irrespective of whether your appearance is positive or negative the fact that you appeared at all in response to the cries will have reinforced this crying instinct. If noise never elicits a response, then the pup will learn that this method of communication doesn't’ work.
What never works is waiting whilst the puppy makes more and more noise then finally becoming exasperated and going to the puppy. All that would teach the little horror was being especially PERSISTENT really works!
Punishment does NOT teach your dog to be quiet, any more than it would a baby crying. Punishment or anger would stress him more' and could create behaviour problems or affect your future relationship with your pet.
You can help your puppy accept the separation more quickly by introducing the area you want the pup to stay then carefully. Feed favourite treats in this area, if you are using a crate then you can leave a stuffed Bone or Kong in the crate as you go up to bed
I am a staunch advocate of crate training. Correctly introduced it speeds up the toilet training process, gives the pup a secure and comfortable den and a bolt hole in times of stress. It can also be an invaluable asset when the pup gets older. Situations where a dog may need the ability to accept and relax in a crate include: recovery from medical problems, travel, emergency, and adjustment to a new home or a new family.
Obviously the best time to introduce a crate is when they are puppies. See my Toileting with a Crate on the main home site.
Introducing a Crate to a Dog
Dogs have a natural liking for enclosed sleeping places - think of how often your dog chooses to sleep under the table, against a wall or behind the settee! In the wild your dog would seek out a cosy safe den to sleep and rest up, that is all a crate is.
Although their resemblance to cages or prison puts many people off. If they are properly used and introduced, they can be a helpful aid to training and toileting and a comfort and a bolt hole when the dog is feeling stressed.
Once your dog is happy in the crate, he can be left there to prevent soiling and chewing when you are out for a short time, he can be restrained when the kids play noisy, energetic games which are not improved by his joining in, and he has a secure familiar bed which can be taken in the car and on holiday if needed.
It is even better if your breeder has introduced the puppies to a crate at a very early age the puppies will feel comfortable and settled immediately. A dog which is thrust unprepared into a crate and left, is going to associate the crate with a most unpleasant experience and be very unhappy about using them in the future. A dog which is carefully introduced to a crate usually finds it a pleasant and secure place to be, so it is worth spending some time over the introduction process.
HOW TO CRATE TRAIN YOUR DOG
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This article was written by ©Stan Rawlinson (The Original Doglistener). A professional full time Dog Behaviourist and Obedience Trainer. You can visit his website at www.doglistener.co.uk for more articles and training information.
You may freely distribute this article and any photographs or save to any electronic media as long as they are only used within the article and it is left intact. It must include the copyright box above. Please let me know out of courtesy where and when you publish. E.mail will suffice. including the link back to your site.
If you wish to publish in a magazine or book any of my photographs or articles then you must contact me for copyright permission first. I can supply the full resolution photo's that are very high resolution images.
©Stan (Doglistener)
Telephone: 0208 979 2019
If the puppy is very distressed and clearly upset, then I will often suggest allowing it to sleep in your bedroom, but within an indoor kennel/crate. Then over a period of time move the crate in stages to the spot where you want the puppy to stay for instance the kitchen.
However it is vital to have a play-pen as well as the crate with paper down in the playpen NOT THE CRATE so that the dog can defecate and urinate. Shutting the crate door on a very young puppy could be a total disaster. It can cause crate aversion and toileting problems, it will definitely cause anxiety. Therefore until the pup is at least twelve to thirteen weeks old I would not shut the crate door overnight. (See toileting with a crate)
Then over a period of time move the crate in stages to the spot where you want the puppy to stay, for instance the kitchen. You will normally know if the puppy seriously distressed if it starts throwing itself at the bars trying desperately to escape, defecating or urinating in the crate is also a sign of distress.
If you decide that the bedroom is not the best place for the puppy, and their are some very good reasons why pups should not be allowed upstairs. Not least the fact that the bones are soft at this age and the pressure on the joints of the front legs whilst manoeuvring downstairs can cause a condition called over- run. This is when the bone between the pastern and the forearm (see points of the dog) pushes over the forearm joint causing lameness and premature arthritis
The first thing you need to know about how to overcome this noise problem is you must ignore it, to go down and scold the puppy would be counter productive, irrespective of whether your appearance is positive or negative the fact that you appeared at all in response to the cries will have reinforced this crying instinct. If noise never elicits a response, then the pup will learn that this method of communication doesn't’ work.
What never works is waiting whilst the puppy makes more and more noise then finally becoming exasperated and going to the puppy. All that would teach the little horror was being especially PERSISTENT really works!
Punishment does NOT teach your dog to be quiet, any more than it would a baby crying. Punishment or anger would stress him more' and could create behaviour problems or affect your future relationship with your pet.
You can help your puppy accept the separation more quickly by introducing the area you want the pup to stay then carefully. Feed favourite treats in this area, if you are using a crate then you can leave a stuffed Bone or Kong in the crate as you go up to bed
I am a staunch advocate of crate training. Correctly introduced it speeds up the toilet training process, gives the pup a secure and comfortable den and a bolt hole in times of stress. It can also be an invaluable asset when the pup gets older. Situations where a dog may need the ability to accept and relax in a crate include: recovery from medical problems, travel, emergency, and adjustment to a new home or a new family.
Obviously the best time to introduce a crate is when they are puppies. See my Toileting with a Crate on the main home site.
Introducing a Crate to a Dog
Dogs have a natural liking for enclosed sleeping places - think of how often your dog chooses to sleep under the table, against a wall or behind the settee! In the wild your dog would seek out a cosy safe den to sleep and rest up, that is all a crate is.
Although their resemblance to cages or prison puts many people off. If they are properly used and introduced, they can be a helpful aid to training and toileting and a comfort and a bolt hole when the dog is feeling stressed.
Once your dog is happy in the crate, he can be left there to prevent soiling and chewing when you are out for a short time, he can be restrained when the kids play noisy, energetic games which are not improved by his joining in, and he has a secure familiar bed which can be taken in the car and on holiday if needed.
It is even better if your breeder has introduced the puppies to a crate at a very early age the puppies will feel comfortable and settled immediately. A dog which is thrust unprepared into a crate and left, is going to associate the crate with a most unpleasant experience and be very unhappy about using them in the future. A dog which is carefully introduced to a crate usually finds it a pleasant and secure place to be, so it is worth spending some time over the introduction process.
HOW TO CRATE TRAIN YOUR DOG
- The crate should be big enough for your dog to stand up, turn round and stretch out when lying down. If he is a puppy, allow for growth. Cover the crate with a blanket or sheet so it is dark, den like and cosy.
- If the crate is quite big, section off part of it whilst the puppy is young this will prevent him urinating or defecating in the corners. Never put newspaper in the crate this only stimulates the dog to eliminate in there, which defeats the object of using a crate for toilet training.
. - To begin with you will need to leave the crate set up all the time. Later you may prefer not to, and some crates fold flat for easy storage when not in use.
- When left in the crate your dog should have a toy or chew bone to keep him occupied when awake, soft bedding to sleep on, I prefer Vet Bed or the equivalent and a drink of water. Get a coop cup it clips or screws on the inside of the crate then you don’t get spills.
- Initially feed the dog in the crate every day, with the door open. This is an easy way to get him to like it. You should not be closing the door overnight until about 11/12 weeks of age as the dog may become very distressed as it is unable to control bowel or bladder movements until this age.
- To keep the puppy safe whilst you are acclimatising it to the crate. Purchase a Playpen these are available in most pet stores.
- Set the crate up in a quiet corner, and put the dog's bed into it. At this stage, leave the door pinned open so that the dog is never fastened in by mistake and never gets stressed.
- Soon the dog should happily use the crate voluntarily. When you reach this stage, (NOT BEFORE) wait until he goes in for a sleep, then close the door. Stay in the room, and let him out as he starts to wake up.
- When your dog is used to this routine, leave him for a minute after he wakes up, with you still in the room. Gradually (over about a week) increase the time you can do this. If your dog gets distressed shorten the time on the next attempt. Don't make a big fuss - sweet nothings and lots of attention can make him think you're praising him for being distressed, and he'll do it all the more. Aim for the "nursing sister" approach when she comes to give you a big injection, sympathetic but business like! See my article on Separation Anxiety
- When you can leave the dog like this, leave the room for a few minutes but stay in the house. Again, gradually increase the time you are out of sight till you can put the dog into his crate when you go shopping.
- Your dog should never be left in a crate for more than a couple of hours except overnight, and then do not lock you Puppy in until it is about 11/12 weeks of age.
Share
This article was written by ©Stan Rawlinson (The Original Doglistener). A professional full time Dog Behaviourist and Obedience Trainer. You can visit his website at www.doglistener.co.uk for more articles and training information.
You may freely distribute this article and any photographs or save to any electronic media as long as they are only used within the article and it is left intact. It must include the copyright box above. Please let me know out of courtesy where and when you publish. E.mail will suffice. including the link back to your site.
If you wish to publish in a magazine or book any of my photographs or articles then you must contact me for copyright permission first. I can supply the full resolution photo's that are very high resolution images.
©Stan (Doglistener)
Telephone: 0208 979 2019
