Settling puppy down

Hi guys,

Mav's now 9 weeks old, we are having lots of testing times lol as was expected, working through things like mouthing, toileting and unwanted chewing currently, with consistent possative approaches which seem to slowly be working. Loving vic Stilwell.

Yet one thing I'd like some advice on is letting Mav know its ok to settle down when tired.

He is great at night sometimes whines for 10 secs then settled and no noise in the night or morning, he has half the kitchen with an open cage, a wooden barrier separates the kitchen which we lift when he's awake.

Also in the day when we need to do something without him / pop out / my own nap (I work nights) he again has his half a kitchen den moans a tiny bit initially but settles very quickly.

Now our problem is he flat out refuses to snooze if we are around doing stuff, when he is tired he will follow us and sit at our feet moan occasionally try to jump up a little basically because he wants cuddling to sleep.
We have been strong and moaning is ignored but he does do the puppy dog eyes.
The second he then is up on a lap or in our arms he will fall straight to sleep.

This is lovely and very cute, but it can lead to him getting cranky if too tired, which happens often also we want him to be able to feel comfortable enough to settle without us like he does in the den.

We often once he's snoozing put him in the bed, yet he often will wake 30 mins later come find us and again But still being tired and cranky.

Cheers for any ideas
Pat, with a snoring Mav on my lap

Hey! Sounds like you're off to a great start

Does he have anything warm/soothing in his bed to snuggle up to? An "old fashioned" remedy for soothing pups was a warm mini hot water bottle (not too hot) and a ticking mini alarm clock wrapped in a blanket, to resemble the mother/litter mates. I read an article recently regarding puppies not settling, and absolutely agree that it must be traumatic for them to be away from all of the warm, wriggly, soothing bodies that sent them the sleep each nap time.

Perhaps you could set up something like this, plus a teddy bear for him to cuddle with.

Agree with Rach. You may also want to put an article of clothing with your scent on it where he sleeps as well

Something with your scent on it sounds like a good idea. Betty (10 weeks) took a shine to my fleece dressing gown which she now sleeps on. She will put herself to bed when she is tired now.

Cheers for advice, He has Rhino his teddy, and one of my wife's vest's, will try more with a hot pad under his bedding we have some pet safe ones for our Degu.

I am sure it is just a stage where if he lets himself sleep he thinks he's going to miss something and just wants to be cuddled to sleep/sleep next to his human family. just can see when he's too tired and cranky he gets himself in trouble a sleep would sort him right out, guess its just like toddlers though lol.

Sounds like you pretty much understand how he feels. Scented garments are a real comfort.

You could also encourage him to use the crate as somewhere he can just retire to when he wants by leaving the door open and leaving some treats in for him to find.

I always leave Spikes crate door open and he wanders in and flakes out. Ive also got a dog bed set up in the living room which he has started using..This is handy because i can keep an eye on him...Having a few hidden treats in the crate is a great idea, and my little mate often roots about in there...I tuck a few in the creases of his bedding...He also has an old sock of mine which he stole a few weeks ago!