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How can I get my puppy to let me know she has to go outside and to stop crying in the night? Im so exhausted!!
I just got a puppy (10 weeks old) half mini-schnauzer, half chihuahua 3 days ago and
I cant get her to actually let us know when she has to go out. I'm just good about taking her out often enough to prevent accidents but how can i teach her to go to the door and let us know she has to go outside?
Second, She sleeps in the crate at night, and the first night she started crying about 4am so i took her outside and waited a while and she didn't go potty, so I put her back in her crate and she was fine the rest of the night. The second night, she cried so much. I took her outside 2 seperate times thinking about how little her bladder is but nothing. Neither nite was as bad as last night. it was like torture! i couldnt take it so i tried to tak her out, she didnt go. i only slept 2 hrs & had to work all day 2day.
should i put her crate in my bedroom, or jsut shut her in another room with a fan running for backround noise?? im so exhausted, please help!
Lisa
Asked by
Guest 982948
on Jun 8th 2009
in Crate Training
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Answers
She's really young. It's gonna take a while for her to understand that she goes outside to go potty and all she has to do is let you know. That will come in time. When she cries in her kennel. Completely cover it with whatever fits. I had to use a robe. Keep her crate in your room. The added security of being in the room with you will help alittle, but don't pay any attention if she's crying for no reason, just cover it up. At this point, its almost a certainty that she won't learn to go to the door anytime soon, jusy keep takin her out alot.
Guest 093148
answered on 6/8/09.
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I agree with everything in that first answer EXCEPT that I would personally keep the crate uncovered so that she can see you.
When we first brought Jack home from the shelter, he was much older than ten weeks, but he was still quite young. He had a hard time being in his crate and we found that placing him in our room, near the bed in a position that he could see either me or my husband soothed him greatly. We had also been given the advice that we should cover the crate. but this made things so much worse.
Definitely keep her in your room, she'll be even more upset to be away from you.
I know you're exhausted, but keep on keepin' on, as they say. This is like the closest thing to having a baby.....only puppies stop keeping you up at night in a matter of days or weeks, not like....18 years. :-)
Jack
answered on 6/8/09.
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Check what works for us at www.dogster.com
I have never had much luck with the old clock or radio tricks. What I do is lay down by the crate like I was going to sleep there. Usually a puppy may fuss a little, but then settle down and go to sleep. Once it is asleep, you can get up and go to bed.
If having the dog in your bedroom all its life is OK with you, you can move the crate into the bedroom.
Aster
answered on 6/9/09.
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she can not let you know at this age.
She is very tiny baby.
All you can do is take her out every hour during the day. Then at night try placing the crate beside the bed facing towards you make sure nice fluffy blanket is inside with newspaper under it in case there is accident.
If she is seeing you but gets use to the ideal night time is sleep time maybe in a few weeks she will calm down. But, it is very hard for first few weeks, she is use to cuddling up to her siblings at night for comfort. You could since she is baby to find small stuff animal for crate, I would not leave it for long periods during the day to chew on as she may eat it one day. But, during the night time place a small red kong stuffed with treats or peanut butter so she wears herself out chewing and licking at it.:)
Dieta
answered on 6/9/09.
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Be patient with her. She's just learning the ways of the human world. She'll get it eventually, but you can not expect her to understand, at 10 weeks, to understand what the door means and that when you let her out at 2am, it's potty time. That's just too much to ask at her age.
When you do take her out at 2am and she doesn't pee right away, be patient. Just wait it out. I know you're tired but if you let her walk around for a few minutes, even 10 minutes, she'll eventually tinkle and then when she's going, you get to give her the human cue of "go potty-- good girl" and she'll get it.
Having your routine turned upside down and losing sleep is the wonders of having a pup and just like a human baby, you have to be patient. We all look at our neighbors "good" dogs and want our dogs to be just like that. One day she will be, but for now she's just learning the ways of the human world and adjusting to it. Please be patient.
Congrats on your new addition.
Guest 404377
answered on 6/9/09.
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I understand where you are coming from. We recently lost our seventeen year old mini dachshund. We had to get another angel. We are senior citizens who now have a baby. We are also pooped. At night we were keeping Trinka next to our bed in our grandchildrens pack n play. She learned how to climb out. We had never owned a crate but broke down and bought one for night time only. We also bought a Pet Dreams three piece bumper set desinged for the crate. It has bottom and side pads as well as a cover for the crate. It makes it nice and soft. I totally agree with keeping the crate in your room next to the bed. Add a piece of clothing you have worn. Your little one will feel closer to you with your scent nearby. Trinka sleeps all through the night now. We, like you take her out frequently. Always going out the same door and carrying her to her potty spot As soon as she goes, we come inside and she gets a treat. She has gone to the door a couple of times on her own this past week
Trinka
answered on 6/27/09.
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