bedtime

[PupC]

Hi all
My cocker spaniel is 5 months and a super star most of the time.
She has a calm bedtime routine most evenings some grooming and a toilet stop then lights out and and bed time - initially she went in her crate (door unlocked). She also has a mat in the hall way which she likes to sleep on.
She is toilet trained and sometimes cries jumps at stair gate to signal toilet. She has now worked out this is also attention - yikes!!
She was initially sleeping through til 5ish and we tried many different systems to lengthen this time ( curtains music dog noises hot pads etc) but to no avail. She’s now trying it on earlier and just wants the company - with company she will pass out happily until 7 - it’s soooo frustrating and worst of all our own doing (giving in)
Anyway she’s not used the crate at all for nap or bedtime for weeks and prefers to be in hallway - do we sack off the crate ??

 

[JoanneF]

with company she will pass out happily until 7

Sorry if this seems obvious but for everyone's sanity - why can't she just be with company ? Have her bed or crate near yours?

 

[PupC]

I’m happy to cuddle her no problem and suggested that we carry on until she’s happy
We are not keen to have her upstairs at moment as she would be jumping into bed but eventually may make that decision.
Thank you Joanne

 

[JudyN]

My dog very quickly accepted that he could sleep on his bed next to ours but couldn't actually get on the bed. Of course, I can't guarantee that yours would be the same - but you could do a little more crate training so he'd be happy shut in the crate next to your bed?

 

[PupC]

My dog very quickly accepted that he could sleep on his bed next to ours but couldn't actually get on the bed. Of course, I can't guarantee that yours would be the same - but you could do a little more crate training so he'd be happy shut in the crate next to your bed?

My dog very quickly accepted that he could sleep on his bed next to ours but couldn't actually get on the bed. Of course, I can't guarantee that yours would be the same - but you could do a little more crate training so he'd be happy shut in the crate next to your bed?

Thanks Judy
We went away couple of weeks ago - pet friendly B&B she loved it - hotel and bedroom - she struggled to not jump up that night but since then we’ve been reminding her to go to her bed and not lay with us ( during the early morning session) and this is improving thankfully x

 

[Ash2021]

I also have a cocker spaniel (6months old)

she will sleep downstairs in her crate, erm yep that lasted until she was 5 months

She is now in a crate in our bedroom at night and sleeps through

Was worth moving her to sleep in our room

 

[PupC]

I also have a cocker spaniel (6months old)

she will sleep downstairs in her crate, erm yep that lasted until she was 5 months

She is now in a crate in our bedroom at night and sleeps through

Was worth moving her to sleep in our room

Hi there
Thanks for the message - we have been away for a few days and she has slept in HER bed in our room ( 2 different places - friends house and studio apartment) and has slept through each night we are now thinking what to do when back home.

 

[JoanneF]

she has slept in HER bed in our room

I think you have your answer!

 

[Ash2021]

Well sounds like you have answered this by going away

interested to see what you did last night and how it went

 

[PupC]

Well sounds like you have answered this by going away

interested to see what you did last night and how it went

Will let you know once we’re home again

 

[PupC]

Well - update!!
Last night was tricky as tried to do what we’d had before hols and she was sooooo clingy it was beyond unusual. She had been acting bit weird all day- we thought maybe because we were home but I thought possibly her season was on its way? Is this possible? She’s 5 & a half months isn’t this too early? she’s eating alright but lots of licking and very clingy also not really settling. Moving from place to place all eve. Then last night I slept on the sofa in the same room and she was awake a several points which she hasn’t been all week. Advice please lovely people x
Ps no discharge but I did notice whilst grooming her that her nipples are bigger maybe just growth spurt?

 

[Hemlock]

Not too early for first season, though often they start and stop for a few weeks before they go into full heat. This is usually accompanied by lots of scent-marking (yoo-hoo boys! Something interesting about to happen) and a change in coat to extra soft and shiny. The first season is not necessarily a guide to how subsequent ones will be.

 

[PupC]

Not too early for first season, though often they start and stop for a few weeks before they go into full heat. This is usually accompanied by lots of scent-marking (yoo-hoo boys! Something interesting about to happen) and a change in coat to extra soft and shiny. The first season is not necessarily a guide to how subsequent ones will be.

Wow - super soft and shiny coat for sure- also very sleepy lots of lowering hips and digging movement. Any tips on how to manage or shall I just continue as normal but no off lead?

 

[JudyN]

My dog always used to take time to return to normal (or what passes as normal for him) after a holiday. I'm still all for letting Pup sleep in your room, I suspect you'll all be happier then!

 

[PupC]

My dog always used to take time to return to normal (or what passes as normal for him) after a holiday. I'm still all for letting Pup sleep in your room, I suspect you'll all be happier then!

Indeedy Judy
She was great on holiday but really wanted to keep our spaces separate- the fact is that she needs it right now and maybe once she’s regained her mojo/ confidence she’ll be grandy x thank you

 

[Hemlock]

Pre-season starting, carry on as normal, but check ladybits every day especially if she seems to be washing them more than normal. A white sheet of kitchen paper pressed against will show if anything is happening. Don't fuss too much - once a day is plenty.

When season is under way, she still needs her exercise but on-lead and if possible away from other dogs. I always pavement-walked mine at this time, but it depends if there are off-lead dogs about. Some fenced dog exercise fields have separate arrangements for ladydogs on heat, so worth checking.

Whatever you may have heard, in-season is no big deal. Yes you will have to keep right away from male dogs (castrated males can still mate and tie, and even though there won't be pups if they do, they can introduce infection) yes the bitch's needs are very strong at this time (some howl) and remember she isn't being difficult deliberately. Some bitches you wouldn't notice, some you very much do! Most keep themselves and their bedding very clean, but a few don't. It's okay: it all launders.

Average season is 3 weeks with fertile/receptive time 10-14 days, but bodies differ - the bitch I have now cycles for four weeks every 13 months and is receptive from day 4!! And I once bred a litter from a bitch who wasn't ready until day 19. So err on the side of protecting for too long rather than a textbook 3 weeks. She'll let you know when she has finished.

I don't want to write a huge essay, but just to flag up that after the season, unmated bitches go through a false pregnancy. Some can be very convincing, others hardly show at all. It's normal and natural: just let her get on with it. Lots of people harass the false-pregnancy bitch by taking her toys away if she is "nursing" them, but IMO this is a crude misunderstanding of what is going on, and I just leave mine to it apart from insisting they go out on exercise. It resolves by itself.

Young bitches are much more grown-up after their first season.

 

[PupC]

Pre-season starting, carry on as normal, but check ladybits every day especially if she seems to be washing them more than normal. A white sheet of kitchen paper pressed against will show if anything is happening. Don't fuss too much - once a day is plenty.

When season is under way, she still needs her exercise but on-lead and if possible away from other dogs. I always pavement-walked mine at this time, but it depends if there are off-lead dogs about. Some fenced dog exercise fields have separate arrangements for ladydogs on heat, so worth checking.

Whatever you may have heard, in-season is no big deal. Yes you will have to keep right away from male dogs (castrated males can still mate and tie, and even though there won't be pups if they do, they can introduce infection) yes the bitch's needs are very strong at this time (some howl) and remember she isn't being difficult deliberately. Some bitches you wouldn't notice, some you very much do! Most keep themselves and their bedding very clean, but a few don't. It's okay: it all launders.

Average season is 3 weeks with fertile/receptive time 10-14 days, but bodies differ - the bitch I have now cycles for four weeks every 13 months and is receptive from day 4!! And I once bred a litter from a bitch who wasn't ready until day 19. So err on the side of protecting for too long rather than a textbook 3 weeks. She'll let you know when she has finished.

I don't want to write a huge essay, but just to flag up that after the season, unmated bitches go through a false pregnancy. Some can be very convincing, others hardly show at all. It's normal and natural: just let her get on with it. Lots of people harass the false-pregnancy bitch by taking her toys away if she is "nursing" them, but IMO this is a crude misunderstanding of what is going on, and I just leave mine to it apart from insisting they go out on exercise. It resolves by itself.

Young bitches are much more grown-up after their first season.

Hi Hemlock
Thank you for this - makes sense and better to chill with her - will probably keep asking questions and appreciate your help guys x

 

[Ash2021]

Pre-season starting, carry on as normal, but check ladybits every day especially if she seems to be washing them more than normal. A white sheet of kitchen paper pressed against will show if anything is happening. Don't fuss too much - once a day is plenty.

When season is under way, she still needs her exercise but on-lead and if possible away from other dogs. I always pavement-walked mine at this time, but it depends if there are off-lead dogs about. Some fenced dog exercise fields have separate arrangements for ladydogs on heat, so worth checking.

Whatever you may have heard, in-season is no big deal. Yes you will have to keep right away from male dogs (castrated males can still mate and tie, and even though there won't be pups if they do, they can introduce infection) yes the bitch's needs are very strong at this time (some howl) and remember she isn't being difficult deliberately. Some bitches you wouldn't notice, some you very much do! Most keep themselves and their bedding very clean, but a few don't. It's okay: it all launders.

Average season is 3 weeks with fertile/receptive time 10-14 days, but bodies differ - the bitch I have now cycles for four weeks every 13 months and is receptive from day 4!! And I once bred a litter from a bitch who wasn't ready until day 19. So err on the side of protecting for too long rather than a textbook 3 weeks. She'll let you know when she has finished.

I don't want to write a huge essay, but just to flag up that after the season, unmated bitches go through a false pregnancy. Some can be very convincing, others hardly show at all. It's normal and natural: just let her get on with it. Lots of people harass the false-pregnancy bitch by taking her toys away if she is "nursing" them, but IMO this is a crude misunderstanding of what is going on, and I just leave mine to it apart from insisting they go out on exercise. It resolves by itself.

Young bitches are much more grown-up after their first season.

Thanks Hemlock, my pup is 6 1/2 months - she wee’d in the house last week unlike her, but when I mopped it up there was a hint of red - not seen anything else since and she doesn’t look swollen etc

keeping my beady eye on her just now

 

[PupC]

My dog very quickly accepted that he could sleep on his bed next to ours but couldn't actually get on the bed. Of course, I can't guarantee that yours would be the same - but you could do a little more crate training so he'd be happy shut in the crate next to your bed?

Quick update - Connie has moved upstairs and sleeps happily in our bedroom also accepting that she doesn’t sleep in the human bed - she has her bed and will sleep there or spread out on the floor. She is still waking one of us for her early morning ‘poo’ bit will quickly return to bed without any issues. I wanted to thank you for advice - I was adamant she want going to be in our room. It on reflection she is just content to have the company and therefore more settled.

 

[Tinytom]

Brilliant news...thanks for the happy update