new puppie

[lou4]

hi i have bought home a new 8 week old bassett hound
she will not sleep at night she cries and howles has any one any ideas what we can use to quiet her down

[seekeerz]

try playing a radio quietly for her when you settle her down at night - a number of breeders have a radio playing with the litter and they're accustomed to the sound.

Good luck with your new baby and enjoy cheers, S

[ganesh]

My puppy howled on the first night and I made the mistake of getting up and comforting her.(six times). The vet said I should have ignored her,but suggested the radio thing (which I didn't do because it would have kept me awake) and a night light (which I had done already). I felt so bad because I knew she was used to the company of her litter-mates at night,and she was probably a liitle scared,
Puppies are like babies and sometimes you have to let them cry a little otherwise they have 'won' and they know how to win your attention.
I left her to howl and it stopped after 2 nights.
Good luck,hope you've got understanding neighbour and or cotton wool for your ears.

[leelapops]

Aw poor baby. She sounds lovely.
When we first got my boy Collie, Jack, we had to keep him in the bathroom in our flat, and he cried almost as much as me on the first night! It was heartbreaking, but fortunately I had been told to ignore him. Much like a baby, they will begin to cry all the time for attention if they know you will come to them to comfort them.

A t shirt that smells like you (preferably an old dossing t shirt, and not your favourite and most expensive one!) in her bed might calm her, and the sound of some background music, as suggested, might calm her.

The nightlight is a good idea ganesh-I haven't heard that before.

It can feel so bad leaving your pup by herself, but it's worth one or two nights of guilt for a quiet and not-so-demanding dog for the next 12 years plus!

Good luck with your new baby, Lisa. x

[annavc]

Get an old style alarm clock - one that has a loud ticking noise, wrap it in a thick towel along with a hot water bottle and place it in the puppies basket. This supposedly simulates the warmth of the mother along with noise of her heartbeat. We did it years and years ago when we got a new golden retriever puppy and it really calmed her down.

She's just lonely and a bit scared after being separated from her mother and her litter mates.

[jamesbug]

Yes, I agree, the ticking clock definitely works. It's the best way.

[lou4]

thanks tried all of these none of them works

[Annlinda]

Try a covered cage with large soft toy to cuddle up to. Make sure she isn't hungry( I take it she is on 4 meals a day last one 8-9pm) little warm goats milk make help her settle.
Make sure she has wee-ed and pooed. Make sur eshe is tired i.e. had a trip up the garden or when vaccinated a walk. Try a DAP diffuser...could go on. I have a Parson Russell babe (13weeks old I he sleeps in covered cage with a teddy bear and he settled first night.

[lankeela]

My pups are allowed to sleep in a cage or a cardboard box alongside my bed. I lie with my hand down to reassure them and then I also know as soon as they wake up so I can let them out.

Sorry but the howling thing is a basset trait - it is what they do!

[horsestache1]

My Jack Russell cried the first night (she's now 4 months old). I wrapped her in a fleece blanket and rocked her to sleep like a baby, when she was fast asleep i put her in her basket next to a warn hot water bottle. (in my bedroom) She slept like a.....baby. Only trouble is, now she wont settle until she's covered with her blanket head and all, water bottle has gone though

And would you belive it, my border's sleep outside in the barn, they can tell the time I'm sure as both get up at 10.30, go to the back door to be let out, and put themselves to bed!!!!

Goo luck with the pup

[Dee Sa]

when I got my Sha pei puppy, I felt so sorry for him what with all those wrinkles & sad looks that I slept on the floor with him at the side of the bed for three weeks, he would cry to do a wee in the night and I had to take him downstairs because he hadnt worked out the stairs, he is 8 yrs old now and still a big wuss, but I love him unconditionally.

[200748]

I agree with the water bottle and alarm clock, but they definetly need a cage as they think of it as there bedroom as a child would its there space if they know they can go there when they are tired, or to get out of the way when there are alot of people about it makes them feel safe, also when they are put in there at bed time or when you go out you could give them a little doggie treat so they associate there room with a treat. good luck jenny

[lou4]

thanks to everyone for there help with my puppy i found the thing that has really helped was the dab diffuser. she slept through the night last for the first time once again many thnks