Puppy crying at night

[Bev M]

We have a cocker spaniel puppy who is 10wks old tomorrow. She’s unsettled and crying at night. She’s sleeping in a small crate on the landing upstairs so she’s closer to us (we tried the kitchen to begin with but she howled more) but she was not crate trained from birth. Any suggestions on how we can get her more settled as we’re all struggling with lack of sleep!!

 

[JudyN]

I would put the crate right by your bed, so you can reassure her when she cries. Once she is older and more settled, you can gradually move the crate out of your room again if you want to, but it's fine to keep her in your bedroom permanently. If she doesn't like the crate you could simply have her on a bed next to your bed, though you may have a few disturbed nights persuading her that she should stay on her bed and not get on yours.

It used to be thought that puppies, like babies, should be left to cry it out, but all they learn is that nights are scary and lonely and that even when they cry, you won't respond to their needs. A lifetime secure attachment to you can't grow out of a beginning where she feels insecure every night.

 

[Bev M]

Thanks Judy, we will try this. I’d forgotten how hard sleep deprivation is now the kids are much older!