Early waking dog

[cascath]

We have a pup who is 20 weeks old we have had her since beginning of May, she is good in every way except sleeping through the night.  It started at 5 and has got early I have been up since 2 now.  I have tried to leave her to bark but am afraid of her disturbing the neighbours.  I have been on computer for last 2 hrs she is fast asleep.  Any help please

[callisto]

are you still awake ???   poor you having a new pup is hard work without missing sleep as well.we have a standard poodle pup he is 16 weeks . here we gowith some questions

1 Is pup with you at night time or seperated in another space

2 Are you paper training

3 does he get alot of time on his own during the day or are you their all the time supervising .

Everybody does things dfifferently and although advice can be given no one way is  the"right way", we do things differently now as before with our 6 year old and have had no problems .... i highly recommend a crate ,this is placed at the end of our bed so the pup knows we are nearby , secondly i ignored the whines and whimpering the first night only using comfort voice but not opening cage , he is never punished and sent to cage , this is for sleep only.... during the day he is placed into cage downstairs for timeout or if i have to go out.

Paper training means pupnot confined and has to get up to go, some dogs prefer even at this age to not do this and be outside therefore Asking "mom" to get upand let us out is the best option.

 during the day try and seperate from your dog for 15 minutes to start with have a little nap or bath etc but dog has to learn to be on own, if these options dont work for you then there are many good dog behaviourist ask at vets that will be happy to give advice. Good luck would love to hear how you get on and all about pup x x x( there somrthing to do in the early hours !!!!!)

[cascath]

Yes I am still awake, unfortunately once I'm awake I find it difficult to go back to sleep.  When I got up at 2 I let her out then went back to bed, she started crying right away so I just got back up, have been up since, but have completed my crosswords.

I only work 2 days for 5 hrs so she is not left an awful lot.  She is in the kitchen in her bed (not crate) at night and when we go out.  I assume she is ok when we are out. Need to sneak back and check. 

We have just bought a crate to confine her in the car, she travels fine it but again not keen on been left, but we have only just got it so we will build up on that.  We have had it in the living room open and she has been wondering in there and just going to sleep, so she does like it.

I think we may have to try putting her upstairs, I didn't want to do this but if it means a decent nights sleep it may be worth considering.

Otherwise she is lovely,  She is a cross collie, german shepard, rescue pup.  Don't think she is going to be build of GS just the colouring her build seems more collie.  She has a lovely nature.  Eager to please, she is really clever.  Apart from this one thing.  We could cope more or less when it was 5 but now its getting silly. 

Thanks for your advise.  We will keep trying!!

[cascath]

She is brilliant at settling when we go to bed and sleeps now for 2 and a half hours then wakes at 2.  She was waking at 5 when we first got her, then 4, then 3 now 2.  I leave the radio on a talk station for her as well, only on low.  Havent tried hot water bottle as she hasn't only just left her mum.  Will try a ticking clock tho, anything is worth a try.  Thanks for your help.

[callisto]

hi me again...... is there anyway you can putthe cage in the kitchen if dont want it upstairs although i think this maybe the answer ( place the clock) and few favourite toys in crate even try a boredom toy like a  filled kong or nylabone then wait for it warn the neighbours Hopefully you get on maybe waiting for a weekend might be sensible.... then be harsh do not respond at all to his cries and demands for attention its hard i know but it may work ?

[Robinia]

Something that worked for my present & previous dog is to wear an old sweater (bit hot for that at the moment!) or t-shirt for a couple of hours before bedtime.  Then put it in your dogs bed & they still feel close to you.  It worked like a charm for me. (Er, you might not want to wear it again the next night so you need a couple to wash or wear hehe!!) I still come in sometimes & find my very hairy little dog has been sleeping on something I've left lying around!  Good Luck!

[callisto]

only few i can remember disliking were Worzel, something with Parsley the dog was it the Herbs and Tiswas , remember champion the wonder horse , barnaby bear , trumpton cant stop thinking now......x

[callisto]

sorry cascath meant to send this to another posting please ignore x

[Personica]

In order to make her settle at night and not whine before dawn,take her for a walk before bedtime. (Works a treat on the wife).

[callisto]

how was she last night was she bothered by thunderstorms

[cascath]

Thanks for asking.

We didn't have the thunderstorms too bad last night.  We had a storm about 10.00 it carried on raining but not too bad at all.

She woke at 2.30 and I ignored her.  She quietened down after about half an hour.  She then started again at 5 so I gave in then and got up.  But that was a better night. 

We will persevere for a few more nights, I have been walking her at night but a couple of hours before bed, so may look at taking her just before bed. 

I will keep trying.  Thanks everyone for all your suggestions, I'm going to try everything!!

[callisto]

Glad you had a better night keep in touch |XXX