Puppy sleep question

Ludi the Yard Fool · 03-10-2004, 08:05 AM

I probably won't be getting a puppy for a few more years, but one issue has me puzzling. How do you train a puppy to sleep on his own, without traumatizing him with loneliness, and without sending mixed messages? I'm pretty sure I want the puppy to sleep in his own bed downstairs, not in our room at night, but I don't want the young puppy to feel abandoned. What is the proper procedure for training a puppy to sleep on his own?

Rincewind · 03-10-2004, 09:41 AM

When my guy was a pup and I was training him to sleep downstairs I did a few things. First, I would try to leave on some background noise for him, a radio, tv, whatever. Second, I gave him a stuff animal. He slept with it for a while and played with it... after a few weeks it was shredded of course, but by that time he was fine sleeping by himself.

He still doesn't like it when he is stuck downstairs and can hear me walking around though, he figures that as soon as I wake up it is time for him to become my shadow, lol.

I don't think you can actually go through this stage without causing them some distress. I mean they are used to sleeping with 10 of their friends and all of a sudden everyone is gone. Even human companionship can't stop that from hurting.

neuroleptical · 03-10-2004, 09:45 AM

What about getting 2 puppies, for companionship?

clearjade · 03-10-2004, 01:56 PM

I don't have much advice to offer because I do feel that dogs need to be with their pack (i.e. you and your family) and being kept seperate causes anxiety issues especially with new additions. However, I also know that everyone has different reasons for what they need to do and can't all follow one method.

I'd agree with Rincewind, play some background noise, or provide a companion. Dogs really aren't meant to be alone, they spend their life with a pack, eat, sleep and play with a pack so being kept alone might be a bit unsettling for the first time in a new home.

Lavander is allowed on my bed because in Singapore, my bed is on the floor and she gets up in the middle of the night to sleep in my bed. Keesha & Ally sleep on their bed on the floor in my bedroom now because my bed has a frame and they are not allowed to sleep in the bed. But they are always around us.

Ludi the Yard Fool · 03-10-2004, 07:15 PM

Thank you for this advice. Yes, I agree with the pack idea, but feel my husband and I will need some privacy (and quiet) at night.

We have considered getting two pups.

Lixx · 03-10-2004, 07:32 PM

When we first got Dante, he slept in his crate in our bedroom. (privacy

) and after the first week, he no longer cried. However, what ever you decide, I would highly suggest that you start and end with it. Don't feel sorry for the pup the first few days and have him with you and then put him out afterwards. Setting the rutine right off the bat is essential.

RossGirl · 03-10-2004, 09:52 PM

we learned many lessons with our first "child" we gave up to joey's crying in the crate only after the second or third night. pippin we stuck to our guns and had him sleep in a crate, the crate is at the foot of the stairs next to the radio, which we leave on for him at night, as well as a nightlight in the kitchen for him and he has homer ( our jackson chamleon) light as well to keep him from being totally in the dark, we put an alarm clock in the cage ( suppose to mimic heartbeat) and he did well, didnt cry but the first night. i saw at petsmart this afternoon a new line for puppies which included a warmer thing that is designed to soothe a puppy and give them warmth for the first nights alone.

word of advice, i have heard that if you get two puppies instead of one, they will bond with each other and not always with you.

Ludi the Yard Fool · 03-10-2004, 11:02 PM

Re: two puppies bonding with each other, and not with me. I'm worried about that...

clearjade · 03-11-2004, 01:08 AM

I definately agree, be consistent with what you choose to do in training.

I'm not sure about two puppies bonding with each other instead of their human. Keesha & Ally have been together all their lives and came into my home together. Now they both fight with each other to get my attention. Keesha will paw at my lap to get petted and Ally will push her away to get pettted and vice versa. They are both very people-orientated even though they are close to each other. It could be their personality (Jack Russell x Pomeranian) that makes them such people loving dogs. If Ally thinks that Keesha is getting more attention, she will start biting Keesha to pull her away from me, the only way to keep them both satisfied is to pet them both together at the same time.

Training has been slightly more difficult than if there was only one of them because they tend to distract each other and start playing when I want them to pay attention to me. But now with a treat in my hand (freeze dried liver works the best) they both pay utmost attention to me.