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View Full Version : My puppy is hard to get to sleep


hilwood87
Jul 21, 2005, 11:48 PM
I got my puppy about 2 days ago and we let him sleep in our bed, but we just found out he has some sort of worms and we don't want to end up with them. We know about the ticking from like a lock helps put a puppy to sleep, but we don't have one. What are some easy ways to help him sleep at night in his own box? :confused: He knows it's his box because he will stay quiet for like 30 minutes, then start barking and crying. :eek: :mad: PLEASE help me so I can get some sleep too. :(

Thank You,
Hilary

labman
Jul 22, 2005, 07:04 AM
I am amazed how frequently you still see the recommendation of the ticking clock. I don't even think it worked that well back when people actually had a ticking clock. At bed time, with a new puppy, I have found lying down in front of the crate like you were going to sleep and speaking softly to it, or singing, until it settles down and goes to sleep works very well. Follow the pattern, a period of active play, outside to eliminate, and then into the crate. Unfortunately, your problem sounds a little different. Try moving the box into your bedroom if it isn't. We have had good luck leaving the puppy downstairs. Once asleep, they usually stay asleep until they need to go out, maybe 3 AM. Once they are over 2 months, usually they sleep through the night. We know people that keep the crate in their bedroom when the puppy is young. That way the puppy doesn't feel abandoned.

If you yield and let the puppy back into the bed, it will be difficult to ever get it out. It will be taking the first steps to dominate the household for the next 10-15 years. No puppy is too young top start obedience training. The dogs see all the people and dogs in the household as a pack with each having their own rank in the pack and a top dog. Life is much easier if the 2 legged pack members outrank the 4 legged ones. You can learn to play the role of top dog by reading some books or going to a good obedience class. A good obedience class or book is about you being top dog, not about rewarding standard commands with a treat. Start at http://www.dogsbestfriend.com/.

You also need to see the vet for the worms, and start a shot schedule.