My pup slept with me from the first night I got him - never a peep, snuggled up and slept 5 to 6 hours and now he'll sleep forever if I do. Very few accidents, but he wears a belly band at night just in case.
I think that when we get these little guys at 8 to 12 weeks old - they just aren't ready to sleep alone yet. Can you imagine going from a comforting mother and litter mates to being alone in a crate - in a new place with your mother and litter mates gone........? It has to be hard, and they must be so lonesome and confused. I just haven't the heart to leave them alone and let them cry.
Also - this may be totally wrong, but I also do what I did what I could to keep my pup from barking for as long as possible. I just didn't what him to know that a "bark bark bark" was inside him. And, I think he barked only twice the first month I had him. He did make a lot of other cute little noises though. And now - he barks very seldom. I think that keeping him from barking a lot when he was a little puppy has helped keep him from barking now that he's older.
Also - making a puppy feel secure does the opposite of what you might think it will do. Instead of making the puppy a clinging little thing - being secure makes them more independent and willing to venture out and do things on their own - and not have to be with you every minute. I am sure it makes them better adjusted and more balanced in every way. And, a secure little puppy is more sociable also. They have become much more quickly bonded to a person and are much more trusting.
Anyway - if possible, I think letting these little guys - especially when they first leave their mother - sleep with us is the best thing all around.
Carol Jean |