Barking in his crate.

I’m sorry it’s been such a struggle with the crate in the middle of the night, hopefully that comes to an end soon. I really can sympathize with the sensitive tummy issues, Hugo’s lasted months sadly. I moved Hugo’s crate to just outside my bedroom door at the beginning which helped, also helped me hear him stirring (before he would even whimper so I assume not wide awake yet) so I knew he was ready to go have a bad poop then straight back into the crate. Pumpkin flakes in Hugo’s food really helped firm things up, it worked better than pumpkin purée I found. Also used a pre probiotic with slippery elm to help soothe the tummy.

Not sure if any of that helps or not. Hopefully the new food helps settle his tummy and firm things up 🤞But try to remember this is only temporary and things will improve! This too shall pass was my mantra there for awhile!
 
I was up again with him from midnight. I went to bed really early so got some sleep. I don’t think he is anxious - just full of beans! He’d been at his dog walker and played with the dogs there so should have been tired. I took him for a 20 minute walk. He trotted along very pleased with himself. Then had to sleep on the sofa cushions again with him next to me out of his crate.
I got some calming lotions and potions from pets at home and a pheromone collar. But they made no difference.
 

Jacqui-S

Moderator
Location
Fife, Scotland
I have no good advice, our technique with Lilly was decidedly non R+ (advice from a trainer....).
It does sound like he is very dependent on you.
I would probably try and get his crate in bedroom or by bedroom as I would be struggling with lack of sleep.
And also make sure as many people as possible can be involved in feeding/walking/playing/training to show that other people are his best friends too (kind of).
Not done the puppy stuff for well over a decade now (apart from Sophie's puppies, but that wasn't me 😉 )
 
Be careful this doesn't become a habit, that he begins to believe that at night we have playtime! With Flicka, in desperation I slept on sofa and gradually withdrew myself over a week or so. I also agree with @Jacqui-S, alternately have the crate upstairs near you. Go to him when he cries and see to any needs, don't speak or engage, go back to bed. Eventually he will learn to sleep and be quiet!
 
I was up again with him from midnight. I went to bed really early so got some sleep. I don’t think he is anxious - just full of beans! He’d been at his dog walker and played with the dogs there so should have been tired. I took him for a 20 minute walk. He trotted along very pleased with himself. Then had to sleep on the sofa cushions again with him next to me out of his crate.
I got some calming lotions and potions from pets at home and a pheromone collar. But they made no difference.
I understand your reaction of being with him so he doesn't bark while neighbours are sleeping....You don't want to be a nuissance....Is it possible to take him with crate to your bedroom as @Jacqui-S and @Jelinga adviced? Otherwise inform the neighbours that he will be barking but that you have to let him bark otherwise it will become a habit..
 
Will he sleep on his own out of the crate??
He wants to sleep on me. I put sofa cusions on the floor next to his crate but had to have the crate open or he would bark and fuss. Th enight before last I managed to get his to sleep in his crate but had to forcefully push him off me regularly and forcefully. last night was the same but while I dozed off he tried to clim back on to me and ended up with his head on my feet which were off the end of the cushion. When I tried to leave him in the kitchen and closed the door he started braking and scratching at it if he is awake. I managed about an hour this morning with his downstairs on his own as he had finally fallen asleep and I crept upstairs. WHen Hubby came down he was on top of the sofa cusions curled up in my blanket.

I had messages from his dog walker to say that he plays with the other dogs on his walks so he has a busy day and should be tired. She also said that he is a bit clingy to them too. We have had various friends come and look after for him every now and then so he has quite a lot of exposure to other people and Hubby now gives him his breakfast so its not always me that feeds him.

I am beginning to think I need to send him off to puppy boarding school so that I can get a break and some sleep.
 
I think his internal clock is completely out of kilter and I have a nocturnal puppy. He is fast asleep in his crate now at 8pm and he's been sleepy since 7pm.
Can you keep him awake later in the evening by giving him a frozen Kong? To help prolong his deep sleep during bedtime hours?
 
I contacted the old trainer we had when Homer was a puppy. He doesn’t work in London anymore but was happy to chat on the phone. He suggested - Like many of you have😍 to have is crate in our room and put him to bed there. Then step by step moving it further away.
He also asked if we had foxes that could be waking him, I said we had rats there are sometimes foxes in the street. It could be that he gets woken up.
 
I contacted the old trainer we had when Homer was a puppy. He doesn’t work in London anymore but was happy to chat on the phone. He suggested - Like many of you have😍 to have is crate in our room and put him to bed there. Then step by step moving it further away.
He also asked if we had foxes that could be waking him, I said we had rats there are sometimes foxes in the street. It could be that he gets woken up.
I'm glad that you spoke the old trainer! Sounds a good plan!
 
I think his internal clock is completely out of kilter and I have a nocturnal puppy. He is fast asleep in his crate now at 8pm and he's been sleepy since 7pm.
I was wondering if he gets over stimulated in the day if he is going with a dog walker some days and plays with other dogs, so he crashes out when he comes home and then wakes again late evening/night ready to play?
 
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