If you have the Puppy Blues, you might want to read this

[Jilldrinkwater]

Oooh -- ouch, poor both of you.

Agree with @Atemas could be related to less activity/exercise. Could this be the case?

I don’t think so unless we need to increase the time of his walks as he loves being outside loves running on the field off his lead
It’s so difficult cos of both injuries!!
Especially when girls are at school or upstairs doing homework xx

 

[Selina27]

Do you mean he is barking at night? Maybe something is disturbing him?

 

[snowbunny]

Oh, sorry your suffering! That sounds very painful
I’ll just add sometimes things aren’t for any particular reason. Shadow started to become unsettled what he was 5-6 months old, and would bark at about 5am. I just got to, offered him the opportunity to go outside (which he never needed) then told him “bed time”, and I went back to bed, after a few nights, he stopped.

I think these blips are part of normal development and we just have to deal with them however feels right in the moment. Then reassess if it persists.

 

[kateincornwall]

They do sometimes regress for no particular reason . Reuben has always been very good at doing all his wee and poo outside but a few weeks ago, he just stood and wee`d in the hallways, right in front of me ! No point making too much of an issue , just gently remind , you will get there x

 

[Jilldrinkwater]

Hi everyone I need to rant!!so oscars 51/2month old now and still not sleeping through the night still waking for a wee in early hrs which is causing problems with Andy as he goes to bed late then Oscar cries not long after he’s been in bed
We’ve tried taking him out b4 Andy goes to bed we’ve tried leaving him it’s getting to a point now where I have to go to bed even earlier than normal so I’m able to get up meaning less time with Andy and kids!!how long should he be going he’s going between4-5 hrs!!
There’s going to be a serious falling out between us b4 long we are barely talking to each other as it is because we are so tired
Still at my wits end!!help!!xx

 

[Atemas]

So sorry @Jilldrinkwater that you are getting disturbed sleep - there is nothing worse than sleep deprivation and it does take it’s toll on relationships. First thought - is he tired enough before going to bed? Some Labradors need quite a lot of exercise - Red gets three walks a day (two off lead) so happily sleeps lots. A good playtime before bed might help. Is he hungry? A small snack before bed? Is it worth looking at his sleeping arrangements? Is he in a crate? Is it covered? Is he waking cos he needs to toilet?

Hang on in there - I am sure this will resolve itself but you might need to make some changes to help Oscar settle for longer.

 

[Jilldrinkwater]

Hi thanks for the reply his crates covered he goes out 3 x a day and was at Whitley bay yesterday for over 3hrs
When he wakes up it’s for a wee just andy thinks he should be going longer than 4-5 hrs so there’s a lot of tension
We don’t let Oscar off the lead too much as he’s very excitable and even though we’ve done recall if anything distracting he just doesn’t always come back!!
Thanks for replying xx

 

[snowbunny]

I don’t think it’s at all uncommon for a puppy to still need to go out in the night at this age. Try to remember he is just a baby, and is developing physically at his own pace. I know it is hard when you’re tired, but just as human babies can vary in how long they go before they can sleep through the night, it’s the same with baby dogs. If you try to keep that in mind, “would I get cross if my human baby was waking in the night?”, then it might help you to keep the stress levels from rising.

 

[Selina27]

Hi @Jilldrinkwater , sorry you are having this issue, it's hard when you don't get enough sleep and things impact on your relationship.
I agree with @snowbunny , he is still very young and they all are so different. At least he lets you know he needs a wee! Is Oscar crated at night? If so do you cover it so that it's like a den and therefore darker?
Don't despair too much, stick at it, it'll come good in time! My Cassie is 3 this week, I can't believe how time has gone, and she is now the best companion I could wish for, you family have all that waiting at the end of all the puppy days
I've never done it, but perhaps it would be worth getting up before he whines for a wee, and gradually make this later? Hopefully someone else will be along with more advice.

 

[Granca]

It’s really hard having broken sleep, so it’s easy to feel frustrated and tired. Make sure that you don’t interact with him at all when you let him out, so that he just goes for a wee. Do you give him a Kong (just smeared with a bit of peanut butter or something else tasty) when he goes into his crate? It might help to settle him so that he doesn’t cry.

I hope you get your sleep back soon.

 

[HAH]

Hi @Jilldrinkwater - sorry you’re having these challenges, I think it’s entirely normal but that doesn’t make it any easier to deal with when you’re sleep deprived and views differ in the house. Particularly tricky if you’re the ‘primary caregiver’ trying to keep the ship running. Oscar will be maturing quickly so you may well find this passes soon - in the meantime all suggestions above are good (especially making the wee visit as boring as possible, a straight out - wee - in - goodnight) and this will get easier. Keep telling us about it!

 

[Jen]

This thread just popped up and I feel as though I need a “coping with a new born” one and comparing puppy vs baby.

So far the baby has less teeth but Stanley slept more. So about 50/50.

 

[Atemas]

perhaps it would be worth getting up before he whines for a wee, and gradually make this later? Hopefully someone else will be along with more advice.

Think this is worth trying. Thinking back I used to set my alarm for every 3 hours as Red never made a sound, she’d just wee/poo in her crate in the early days. I took her outside with no interaction with her, then threw a handful of treats in her crate as I put her back. It’s all tiring but Ifelt I was in control and definitely paid off

 

[Loraseal]

When Andy goes to bed is Oscar already in his crate or does Andy take him outside for a quick wee?
As @Atemas says during the nighttime wee, no interaction or he will associate his nighttime wee with playtime. Not nice for the hoomans!
It is the same as when a baby wakes in the middle of the night, minimum interaction. In our house the last person who goes to bed, gives Hunter a little treat and a big cuddle and then he settles.
On a positive note he is telling you he wants to wee.
It will get better I promise you. I do understand and sympathize with you as I was the "nighttime and wee carer" and Mrs Discipline whilst my husband(and he still does!!)reaped the benefits.
Hang in there and please rant if required!

 

[Xena Dog Princess]

Yes, @Loraseal raises a good point - does Andy take him out for last wees when he goes to bed? If he doesn't, then ask him to start.

And just to give you some comfort (or not), @snowbunny's Luna took an eternity to sleep through the night (15 months was it?) So the same way that some kids still wake through the night for years, some pups take much longer to develop a night bladder. You're not alone.

 

[snowbunny]

With Luna, if I don’t take her out for last wees at around midnight, she will still need to go out in the night. It’s just how she is. She drinks a lot and wees a lot. It’s not a training issue, just her body.

That is exceptional, though, so I wouldn’t worry about it with such a young puppy