Dog cries at night

Had our dog for about a week now, and can't seem to settle him in his bed at night. He cries a lot and sometimes doesn't settle so I end up letting him back in the room we are in. Any tips?

He has also started scratching the door.

If you are determined for him to sleep in a crate there are two good options.

The first is to simply ignore him no matter how much he cries. He is seeking attention and when you give in to him crying you are reinforcing the behaviour and thus teaching him that if he cries long enough he gets what he wants. It helps if you place a blanket over the crate so it''s completly dark.

The second option is to place the crate in the room with you and slowly move it further away if that is your intention.

Darcy has a crate and has done since day1, as advised above keep at it, don't go in if he's crying as he associate cry with getting what he wants > even if you wait for a 2 second gap lol wait until he's stops crying before you see to him, darcy stopped crying after 4 days but all of them are different and some take longer than others. You will get there and get a full night sleep again

Can't add anymore. Same as whats been said above. Let us know how yo get on

Thanks everyone! He has a basket in kitchen, but seems to stay by kitchen door. Will wait and let you know how it goes!

Sazzle31 wrote:Thanks everyone! He has a basket in kitchen, but seems to stay by kitchen door. Will wait and let you know how it goes!

Best of luck, we have all been through it and it does get better

It's very difficult when they're crying at night and I know it's very tempting to give in. But don't. He will soon get used to u not giving him attention for doing it. Persevere

Mattylee wrote:It's very difficult when they're crying at night and I know it's very tempting to give in. But don't. He will soon get used to u not giving him attention for doing it. Persevere

Thanks! It really is hard listening to his little cries, makes me feel so sorry for him. But I will leave him again tonight and for the next few nights and let you know how he goes. I'm just a big softie!

I was the exact same as you, the first 3 nights we got Zeus, he cried all night, I felt so guilty but from what I read at that time, I was told to leave him and not tend to him, or he'll get used to the idea of you coming for him. As harsh as it sounds, it worked, after the 3rd night, he stopped crying and got used to us coming down for him in the morning.

Tommy was a nightmare to get settled in his crate in my daughters bedroom , we made it drag out much longer by pandering to him so don't

I know it's hard but tough love is required, then he'll soon get settled and used to the nightly routine, be strong!! Good luck and keep us updated on your progress.

You do have to be firm, it can take a couple of nights.

Just an update...he now sleeps like a baby! We have to shut him in the kitchen, but he doesn't cry now so it's heading in the right direction!

good news , just time and patience is all it takes a lot of the time

Yay, brilliant