8 week old puppy - how can we get her to settle in her crate

Skellyngron, like i said earlier...its all about having patience. I know it sux sitting outside in the middle of the night waiting for your puppy to go while they think yay its play time. My boyfriend and i would take it in turns sitting outside with him waiting for him to go. There were times where we'd be out there for 45min...but as soon as he'd go he got lots of praise and a treat. Eventually they do learn. Shes still young so its expected...just be patient!!!

Hi Shaun, I was only trying to help, the best for you and Ruby too, it was'nt an ' i told you so' so why take umbridge?
Was just trying to say i think you were given the wrong advice from the vet, crate toileting is a human convenience, and does neither of you any good in the long term.
The learning starts from when you get the pup, forget the breeder especially if they havent said 'dont hesitate to contact me if you have any problems'.
I assume its your first pup, there are many good books out there i can advise you on with loads of good info if you want.
Puppies are like human babies and cannot hold their bladders long, there is no quick fix i'm afraid.
Everyone who's posted have given you good advice, wether you choose to follow it is up to you.
patience and persitence is the key as Esther has said.
You'll get there in the end

Hello, trust me you will get there in the end and I know it can be hard going.

Everytime puppy has something to eat or drink go outside and say "wee, wees" if puppy then decides it's play time just stand around - don't play back and keep repeating "wee, wees". When puppy goes to the toilet (outside) give loads of praise, in an excitable voice, possibly a small treat to start of with.

At bedtime we have always used "wee, wee nights" again if puppy wants to play just stand around and don't join in and keep repeating. It may take a while every dog is different, but don't get down about it because when she eventually takes on a routine you will be wondering why you ever worried.

The main thing is to keep up the consistency and do away with the paper training. Good Luck x

hey guys, things are certainly looking up! we've (myself and Mrs skellyngton) not to mention Ruby, have put in alot of hard work and the results are beginning to show! Ruby has been going outside for practically all of her 'business' for the last couple of days, and is settling well in her crate - we also decided to get her a smaller crate, while she's so little, and this has been very popular with our little girl.

We're still up through the night but she's really getting it - I think she'll be practically housebroken in a couple of weeks.
Thanks for all the suggestions, it's been really helpful
good to know we have your support

Mr and Mrs Skellyngton (and Ruby)
x

Hello & sorry to hear you are having no sleep with puppy Ruby. We have puppy Tia who is now 11 weeks old. She is also crated at night. In her crate she has a small puppy bed with high sides & back but low front, in her bed she has a cuddly white polar bear who she loves to snuggle up to (thinks its her sister i'm sure!) also in the crate is her small water bowl. We crated Tia from the first night we had her. There was never any problem with her going in the crate & we part covered the crate (top & side) so cosy & not to bright. She like Ruby would go off to sleep but then at 2 she would wake & cry then again at 4 & 6. My wife would go to the kitchen where her crate was & let her out onto her newspaper & say wee wee & she would go near enough straight away as this was what she was crying for which i should imagine is the same as Ruby. My wife would praise her & then put her back in her bed & say bedtime. Tia would cry for about 5 minutes & then go off to sleep, my wife never went back to the crate as she knew she was ok & that she had been to the toilet so she tried to keep it quite low key & calm, something with having two children she is more than used to as with a puppy it is no different at first than with a new born baby, the lack of sleep etc. This went on for about a week, by the next week she was going a little longer, & now she goes right through at 11 weeks, so stick with it & i am sure you will be able to get some shut eye soon enough. Tia is also now fully vacinated & going on walks so this too helps in the I am too worn out to get up anymore stage. All the very best to you & Ruby.

Kind regards Rich.......

Well Skellyngton, I can certainly relate to your problems with weeing at night. We to have had problems with Hanna, she is 14wks this week and we put her to bed in her crate at about 10pm, then im up at about 1am and 3-4am, then again 5.30am, all outside to do wee. Unfortunaly for us Hanna doesnt cry out, but will wee her bed. We found she has in infection there, so will need more time to master sleeping through the night. Im sure Ruby will get there in the end. I think the advice that was posted before about taking out the soiled paper to a spot outside and getting her to wee there was great! Believe me they do learn eventually, and just like with little children, SLEEP DEVPRIVATION is terrible, so i understand its not much fun. But just think in a couple of months all this will be long ago in your memory, and you will them be able to enjoy your girl 100%.
Everyone here on this forum are great sources of advice, the choice "we" have is to take it or leave it, sometimes lack of sleep can make us a bit sensitive, as I know I was, and Im sure all the advice is given in kindness. You are already seeing big improvement in Ruby, so you are on your way!!! Remember each dog is different and you just have to try several things to see what works for you. I wish you lots of wee free nights, and lots of love and licks from Ruby, she is lucky to have "parents" like you who do care for her well being. Keep up the great work!!

"WEE!!!" "Go WEE!!!" Too Funny!!!

Turbos been a champ in going WEE WEE And POO POO!!! lol
He sleeps for about 2-3 hours and wakes up.....wakes me up.....I take him out and he goes wee!!!! "Good Boy Turbo!!" "Good Boy!!!"

I tried putting Turbo in a crate last night.......wasn't preety!!! So I gave up, took him out and let him sleep in my arms. He wants to sleep in my arms!!! All The Time!!!

"Believers To Think And Thinkers To Believe"
"Truth Will Set You Free"

David<><