This is our first puppy and we are not sure what to do. we have
his crate next to our bed and he barks and barks if we dont pay attention to him. what can we do to get him to sleep through the night. please any tips for any daily activites as well would be greatly appreciated! thanks!!!
2007-04-26 19:25:53 · 15 answers · asked by chrissys08 2 in Pets ➔ Dogs
we have a little rat terrier. he will only grow to 8 pounds and is 2 pounds now. if he is laying on us he falls asleep in a heartbeat. the moment we put him down he barks continuesly.
2007-04-26 19:38:19 · update #1
since he is so young do we keep the pee pad in the crate when he sleeps or just keep taking him to the pee pad every hour or so?
2007-04-26 19:40:27 · update #2
Just like a child, you have to "wear him down" to get him to go to sleep. Try playing with the puppy about 30 minutes before you put him in his bed for the night. Also a little toy or stuffed animal to put in his bed also might give him comfort. If all else fails, you might have to have him sleep with you for the time being until he becomes more comfortable in his surroundings.
Have fun!
2007-04-26 19:32:06 · answer #1 · answered by therazorsx 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Play with him before bedtime for at least 15 minutes. Doing a doggy massage will help the pup relax and it will get the pup used to being handled too. If the crate is an open wired one, cover with old towels to make it feel like a den but leave the door side open. When ever he barks take him out to go potty. After going put him straight back and ignore the barking, until u feel that he needs to go potty again. Since the crate will be the dog's home many will not go potty in the crate.
2007-04-26 20:33:01 · answer #2 · answered by liv885 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ok You have an extremely smart and very active pup... rat terriers are GREAT hunters, mainly for small game like squirels and foxes. and that instinct will be strong when the reach an older age. Our rat Terrier loved to play Frisbee, sqeaky ball fetch, and other running oriented activities(to exclude running on a leash beside you). Also with the sleep issue Rat Terriers are very Social animals and love the company of other dogs or people. To get the dog to sleep in a crate (without another puppy) Try a stuffed animal, or
put a ticking clock on top of the crate usually the stuffed animal works better. It gives them a sense of campanionship.
2007-04-26 20:45:35 · answer #3 · answered by LA 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Welcome to the club! I got my pup last week (same age) and he does the same thing. Put in something that smells like you (shirt/towel/etc) and some people suggest a clock (I didnt do that). I had to sleep with my hand in the crate for the first two nights.And theres no way he'll sleep through the night at this point, count on 3-4 hours and then he'll need to get up and go potty. They have small bladders. Its almost like having a new infant.
Since they're so young, you have to keep them either in your house or backyard because they dont have all their shots yet. My little guy and i play with his toys and he hangs out while I watch TV (not to mention he sleep alot after each play session). I use the commericals to teach him commands, it fits their attention span. It took a day and a half and he already knows how to sit, he's almost got "down" done and next we're going to work on "come".
Congrats :)
2007-04-26 19:38:00 · answer #4 · answered by ~Samantha~ 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
He's been taken away from his mother too soon. It's illegal in most states in the U.S. to sell a puppy before 8 weeks of age and responsible breeders will keep them until 10-12 weeks. This is because during the period between 8-12 weeks the mamadog teaches the pups many social skills, including bite inhibition and independence. Be sure to socialize your pup well as he grows to prevent separation anxiety to which he will be prone.
Pet supplies stores sell a little pillow that has a "heartbeat" in it to soothe puppies. It's available online. Be sure the pup is well exercised and has relieved himself before putting him in the crate.
And next time, please only support responsible breeders.
2007-04-27 03:30:14 · answer #5 · answered by K 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Make sure you don't give in to his barking. It's very sad sometimes to hear them whine and bark, but if you want them to stop, the worst thing for you to do is to take them out. It's similar to a child screaming to come out of her bed at night to sleep with you. Letting them come out will make them think, "oh by making noise for a little bit, I'll get what I want!" So of course that won't help the situation. lol
Definately play with him a lot before bed time by throwing a ball or playing tug of war or chase him around to tire him out. Another thing I heard about that helps a lot is to leave the crate door open during the day so he can come in and out. Don't associate it JUST with something to get locked into at night. Let that be his resting place during the day and pet him and feed him treats while he's in there. Just associate it with positive things, and eventually it'll be soothing just to lay in there at night. :]
Hope that helps! Good luck!
2007-04-26 19:48:50 · answer #6 · answered by eggie. 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
To get him more comfortable with sleeping in the crate, try putting an old shirt or blanket in there with him. Something you haven't washed that still has your scent on it.
As for the house-breaking, I can't give you any advice there - I've never used pee pads to train.
2007-04-26 20:20:03 · answer #7 · answered by toko40351 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He's lonely and you are his mommy now. He misses his mom. I think he may have been taken away from his mom too soon. There are a few things that you
can do. Get him a soft fluffy toy or two to cuddle with. A baby hot water bottle might help as well as a ticking clock next to his cage. If you have an old soft baby blanket that could help as well in his cage. I don't know if it would be
a good idea to put the cage in with you at night or not, but he won't feel so lonely. This is advice from someone who loves to spoil their pets, but also to train them to obey. Your puppy is so little and so lonely. Good luck, Mom, you're going to need it. : } I slept with my hand in the box, gave her my new
fuzzy slippers I was wearing, and even rocked her to sleep. After ages of this
I picked her up, put her in bed with me and in the morning, there she was
under the covers with me, her head on my pillow, snuggled up to me. She
slept with me for the rest of her life. Oh how I miss her.
2007-04-26 19:39:04 · answer #8 · answered by Garnet 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You havent said how large or small this puppy is... at 6 weeks in my opinion is far to young to have been taken from his mom.. he has JUST been weened...
Put a nice soft blanket or towel in his cage.. along with some sort of stuffed animal..
He is going to bark.. going to whine.. ETC.. for a bit... it's normal.. he has just been taken away from everything he knows and loves... and has been put in a new environment.. be paitent.. it's just like having a new born in the house...
Daily activites.. well you haven't said if someone is home with him.. or he is alone all day.. if he is alone all day.. you have to be very careful of the kinds of chew toys you leave with him.. you want to make absolutely sure he can not bite off bits and get them stuck in his throat.. or that it is something that could get stuck in his tummy.. and digestive track...
If someone is home with him during the day.. play with him.. most puppies love to play tug o war... We are using an old robe belt..
Good luck with the new addition to the family!
2007-04-26 19:33:32 · answer #9 · answered by gin_in_mi 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I would suggest putting a stuffed animal in with him, that sometimes help them to think that another puppy is in there, or their mother is there. You didn't state how young he is. So I would try that. And maybe playing with in and wearing him out before a litte also. Good luck.
2007-04-27 00:21:24 · answer #10 · answered by Angel 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋