Does the crate have 2 doors? Kipper had a stage where he completely went off his crate, and we built it back up by having the two doors open during the day so he could go through (and encouraging that gently with games etc) until slowly he was more comfortable with it again. Just a thought.
Quinn's Little Sister
- Thread starter Ashley
- Start date
- Location
- Argyll & Bute, Scotland
Yes, I do the lickit mat in there, kongs with a dash of yogurt, kibbles sprinkled around etc. She eats her meals in there as well. She will go in and drag a toy in and out but she will not willingly nap there and it’s when the door closes she freaks out immediately. I only let her out when she’s quiet. Ive tried what some of the littermates owners are doing - moving them when sleeping and she wakes up within 20 mins. I’ve been reluctant to let her cry it out because I think she might hurt herself. It is beside our bed at night...
- Location
- East Sussex
How about having a bigger pen beside your bed at night instead of the crate (it doesn't need to be a proper pen, just things to block off parts of the room where she could get into mischief.) I've never used a crate just a box or plastic bed with a blanket so each puppy could move around, but I used old doors, fireguards etc to block access to sockets etc and covered the carpet with newspaper in case of accidents.
If Quinn would lay by her it really would help - I think she wants to be near Quinn actually - Quinn sleeps on our bed and moves when The puppy tries to sleep near her at night on the dog beds...maybe will try using Quinn tonight
- Location
- Andorra and Spain
I wouldn’t leave her to cry it out. If she’s distressed, she needs to be helped to feel safe. Some puppies just don’t do well in a crate. The pen idea is a good one, as is finding a solution where she doesn’t feel separated. It’s still such early days, I’d even consider sleeping on the floor with her until she starts to feel safe.
I did this with Squidge a few nights at first, with me sleeping on a dog bed outside her pen, with my fingers through the bars. My close presence certainly helped her settle.
I did this with Squidge a few nights at first, with me sleeping on a dog bed outside her pen, with my fingers through the bars. My close presence certainly helped her settle.
I slept with them too, one I slept with my hand on. I sleep right next to the crate and as they fell deeply asleep I would withdraw the arm and shut the crate door. Gradually as nights went on I would build up the distance until I was on the sofa. Then as they grew more used to the strange place back upstairs to my bed. It took 2 nights in with Iver who is very laid back and 6 with Rory who needed more cuddles. Theres no right way it's what works for you. Some pups just don't like crates we never crated Moo she didn't like it. Luckily the boys have been incredibly lazy and laid back
It doesn’t seem to help having me right there with her - it’s the confinement. I laid on the bathroom floor with her and the crate blocked the exit, but crate door open so she could go in as well as free range in the bathroom with her blankets and she went mental trying to get out of the bathroom, around the crate even with me right there. We may simply let her sleep with us until she settles in using joy’s approach with making the room puppy safe. I think she may be the Moo type ( for now anyway)! @SwampDonkey i used your approach with Quinn and she was fine in 3 nights.
Candy
Biscuit Tin Guardian
- Location
- West Yorkshire, UK
I have had all my pups on their own beds, right next to my bed on the floor beside me when they were tiny. If they cried I could reach out and comfort them. None of them ever tried to get on my bed, and they all settled in their own quickly. Once they were settled next to me, I just gradually moved their beds a little further away. All my dogs have slept in a corner of my bedroom with no problem, I find their presence very soothing and sleep inducing. If we have another dog to stay (Tess for example) her bed goes right next to me so that I can reach out and touch her in the night. We all need to feel safe in order to sleep. 
Confirming that this little chunk will only settle if she’s sleeping near Quinn - it’s nothing to do with us! She slept all evening on the couch with me (didn’t know Quinn and OH went up to bed) then we let her settle next to Quinn on our bed (Quinn allowed it) and she slept through the night, only one pee break. I’ve ordered the fake littermate stuffy that some of her actual littermates are using with success because Quinn needs her space too, so we’ll see if she will settle with that without being so close to Quinn all the time. Quinn didn’t choose to have a baby, we did 
- Location
- Ontario, Canada
She’s absolutely adorable! 
- Location
- Cornwall , UK
What a divine photo , looking like butter wouldnt melt 
Naya
Moderator
- Location
- Bristol, UK
Harley always hated the crate. She ended up on her bed next to ours. You can get cuddly lambs that have a heart beat in them. My daughter used it with Lyla and really helped her sleep.
- Location
- Argyll & Bute, Scotland
Well needing Quinn sounds perfect to me for little gorgeous Primrose xx
xx
- Location
- Herefordshire, UK
What a little darling 
Yes that’s exactly what we’ve ordered, should arrive today. Hoping it helps!
Free-range in the bedroom = only up once after her last pee (9:30pm) at 3AM and slept til 7AM! The long sleep means her energy levels are even higher than usual 
She can now jump onto the bottom stair and reach the coffee table, - she's days away from getting up onto the couch.
She's mastered sit, "in your crate" and hand target touch. We did a few car trips to help her start to get used to it and settle and she's doing well. We went through the car wash and she was intrigued, but more worried about getting kibbles for settling in the car.
We have our puppy class orientation on the weekend (zoom) so we can start as soon as she's had her second shots.
She can now jump onto the bottom stair and reach the coffee table, - she's days away from getting up onto the couch.She's mastered sit, "in your crate" and hand target touch. We did a few car trips to help her start to get used to it and settle and she's doing well. We went through the car wash and she was intrigued, but more worried about getting kibbles for settling in the car.
We have our puppy class orientation on the weekend (zoom) so we can start as soon as she's had her second shots.