Hello all,
I have just brought home a seven week old male sheltie puppy, (also in house is a five year old female Sheltie, and two cats). The first night home, I put him in his crate, and he screamed for literally an hour. Because I was at my parents house in NY, to pick him up from the breeder, I didn't have the heart to keep everybody awake in the house, as they had work the next day, and I put him next to me in bed, (yes, I know it wasn't a good idea, but it worked out for that night, and all got up when the rooster crowed!).
The next day when we got home, I set up his "play yard" in the living room, and he started whining and crying again, very loudly. Later that night, we tried the crate, and after an hour, we set up the play yard in our room, and he cried for another 45 min. all the while, we kept calling to him, and talking to reassure him that we were there. I even tried the laying down next to him, and all he wanted was up and out.
It seems that ANYTIME, he feels like he can't gain access to the WHOLE house, he cries. Today I had the living room gated off, and he could see me from any angle, yet even as I talked to him, it didn't matter.
I am at a loss as to what to do. He is a VERY energetic pup, almost hyper (we call it psycho puppy time), you know when they just start running all over the place. He is very sweet, but even ear plugs won't drown out the cries, and my husband gets up very early for work, and kind of needs his sleep.
Any advice?? Do you think that he is just trying to gain control over the two legged pack leaders in the house? He was the most curious, and rambunctious pup in the litter of three.
Thanks

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Zadars

Hello all,
I have just brought home a seven week old male sheltie puppy, (also in house is a five year old female Sheltie, and two cats). The first night home, I put him in his crate, and he screamed for literally an hour. Because I was at my parents house in NY, to pick him up from the breeder, I didn't have the heart to keep everybody awake in the house, as they had work the next day, and I put him next to me in bed, (yes, I know it wasn't a good idea, but it worked out for that night, and all got up when the rooster crowed!).
The next day when we got home, I set up his "play yard" in the living room, and he started whining and crying again, very loudly. Later that night, we tried the crate, and after an hour, we set up the play yard in our room, and he cried for another 45 min. all the while, we kept calling to him, and talking to reassure him that we were there. I even tried the laying down next to him, and all he wanted was up and out.
It seems that ANYTIME, he feels like he can't gain access to the WHOLE house, he cries. Today I had the living room gated off, and he could see me from any angle, yet even as I talked to him, it didn't matter.
I am at a loss as to what to do. He is a VERY energetic pup, almost hyper (we call it psycho puppy time), you know when they just start running all over the place. He is very sweet, but even ear plugs won't drown out the cries, and my husband gets up very early for work, and kinda needs his sleep.
Any advice????? Do you think that he is just trying to gain control over the two legged pack leaders in the house? he was the most curious, and rambunctious pup in the litter of three.
Thanks

---

Make a spray bottle of vinegar and water.. put him in his crate with toys and shut the door. If he starts to whine say "quiet" while you are giving him a quick squirt in the mouth with the spray bottle. If he does it again say "no" "quiet" The idea is to reward good behavior. So if he is quiet for just a second tell him "good boy, good quiet" while you open the crate and let him out. He will learn that being quiet gets him out and making noise tastes bad. As for the psyco puppy. Try cradling him for 15 minutes a day. Lay him on the floor between your legs, belly up. Don't let him up until you say it is OK. Rub his belly until you feel him calm down. Then release him. Soon he will learn that his one on one time with you is coming and he will become more independent.

You should be able to make the laying down next to the crate work. I have used it for more puppies than I can remember, at least over a dozen. It has worked with every single one of them. Work at playing with them to tire them out. Take them out and let them relieve themselves, keeping them moving to stimulate elimination. Then put them in the crate. Lay down with your head near the door. Talk to them in a soothing voice, perhaps even sing. It may take a little while, 15-20 minutes, but the puppy should settle down and go to sleep. You might try a Kong filled with peanut butter too. It will help other times too.

You really need to be a strong leader for the puppy. The key to most behavior problems is approaching things using the dog's natural instincts. 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 Raising Your Dog with the Monks of New Skete Here are some other gentle ways to show the puppy you are top dog:

''Elevation for small puppies: Sit on the floor and gently put your hands around your pup's middle, below his front legs, and lift him up. He is facing you. Hold him for 15 seconds. Repeat until he no longer struggles. If he is past 10-12 weeks, lift his front feet off the ground, but don't pick him up.

Cradling for small puppies: Hold your puppy gently on his back, as you would cradle a small baby. If he struggles, hold him firmly until he quiets for 10-15 seconds. With larger pups, you can do this as your sit on the floor, with your pup between your legs.

Quiet lying down: Place your pup on the floor on his side, with all 4 legs pointing away from you. Use your hands on his neck/shoulder area and middle, to hold him in this position. When he is quiet, praise him. Lengthen the time that you keep him quietly in this position. When he accepts this position well, handle his paws and muzzle, while keeping him quiet.''

The quotes mean this isn't my original work. It is copied from my Puppy Raising Manual. I have long used these or minor variations of them, and they are very effective. You may want to give him a belly rub while he is on his back too. Helps bonding. There is a big difference between him rolling over and demanding a belly rub, and you choosing a time to roll him over and rub his belly. The latter cements your place as pack leader.

Try to keep him with you or the other dogs as much as possible. Use closed doors or gates to keep it in the same room as you are, and perhaps as I do, a short chain fastened to the computer desk. It is possible the 5 year old will want nothing to do with him and his sharp little teeth. Since having a puppy is a permanent way of life for us, I set up a computer desk next to the back door on the hardwood floor.

Okay, we have had a success tonight! I put him in his crate, next to my side of the bed. When he started whining, I responded with a firm NO! He would settle for a bit, then start again. Finally, I got back down on the floor, and had my head right up near the door, if he started to whine, he got another firm no. Within 5 min. he plopped down, and curled up into a ball, AND WENT TO SLEEP!! HOOORAYYYYYYYY!!

Thanks for your advice, maybe this can work, after all, it's not even been a week, and things are starting to fall into place hopefully.
I LOVE this forum, the advice is really astonishing! You guys know what you are talking about for sure. Labman, you are really sweet for posting as many answers as you do. You really seem to know your Puppy protocol! It doesn't go un noticed.

Thank you all!

I agree with the love and understanding.Also try putting a stuffed animal in the crate. I had the same problem. It was due to separation Anxiety. Whit a stuffed animal he did not feel so alone.

Well, I have an update on my baby. We started to put him in the crate at night, and yes he did keep crying. However, I did take the advice and laid down in front with him, and he quieted down, in less time that a commercial break on the TV! He still whines when I'm in the kitchen, even though he can see me. I imagine that as time goes on, he will settle down, with a little discipline, and firm commands.
The two dogs are getting along very well for only a week! At first my older dog didn't want anything to do with him, but now, well lets say it's like night and day. She even bows down with him when they play, ( I thought that this was a very good sign). They take turns with the bowing down on the chest, so it seems very equal. She still will let him know who is boss if he gets too nippy.
He is walking pretty good on the leash, (still pulls a bit, but this too will improve with training).
ALL IN ALL, I LOVE MY NEW FAMILY!! He, ( the puppy), really rounds out the male to female ratio in the house, making hubby not feel so alone, LOL.
Thank you all for your help, I will keep reading the excellent advice, and keep you posted on his progress!:o