When do puppies start settling themselves

[splosh]

Hi folks
Vito is now 16.5 weeks old. I know he's still a baby, but I'm wondering when a puppy tends to start settling itself when it's tired. He will sometimes do this, but often he needs me to take charge and put him in the crate before his behaviour gets too terrible. I don't really like doing this, for various practical reasons, though Vito is fine with it. I feel like a new mum all the time, constantly having to work to his needs, and need to see some light at the end of the tunnel.

 

[JudyN]

I can't remember a specific age, and it will vary from dog to dog - I dare say some can settle themselves right from the start, but they're certainly not all like that - I remember having to be quite firm telling Jasper to settle down on his bed as he built up to practically orbiting the light fittings....

If Vito can settle himself occasionally, and you are able to intervene on the other times, you are doing great - honestly. He'll get there. Some pups do feel like they are a 24-hour job, always throwing new behaviours at you that you're not sure how to deal with them. It really is OK to muddle through - think of all those new parents of human babies who can't even find time to get dressed in the day!

 

[splosh]

I can't remember a specific age, and it will vary from dog to dog - I dare say some can settle themselves right from the start, but they're certainly not all like that - I remember having to be quite firm telling Jasper to settle down on his bed as he built up to practically orbiting the light fittings....

If Vito can settle himself occasionally, and you are able to intervene on the other times, you are doing great - honestly. He'll get there. Some pups do feel like they are a 24-hour job, always throwing new behaviours at you that you're not sure how to deal with them. It really is OK to muddle through - think of all those new parents of human babies who can't even find time to get dressed in the day!

Thank you! Yes, we are doing pretty well. I'm an impatient mum. And he certainly has been throwing new things at me the last few days ... I've had to retrain 'Leave it' and, as ever, work out new ways to deal with persistent problems more effectively. I need to get back to work (currently on 2 months' pupternity leave), and generally feel more in control of my life.

 

[lurcherman]

how long is a piece of string? Stay calm and it will or should settle ,

 

[Finsky]

Oh...'thinking hard'...I think both of mine were around 6 - 8 months when they finally started to get bit more relaxed about their lives. Both of mine are bitches so it was around their first seasons that started the resting. Before that I had to 'help' them to get some naps.