Help!!!-Loud puppy keeping my neighbors up
 

I have a big problem. My new puppy is really, really loud and not only is she keeping us up all night, but I had a neighbor complain to me today that she could hear her next door. As a last resort, I've even tried laying next to the pen and putting my hand inside. That doesn't work either. Does anyone have any suggestions on other things I can do besides the ticking clock, warm water bottle, and placing a stuffed animal in there with her because I've tried all of that. I just need some sleep. :eek:

Well, one or all of those things usually work - so......I'm not sure what to tell you. I once had a Jack Russell who would not be quiet in the kennel when we first got him. I finally discovered if I put him in another room so that he couldn't hear us and if I put a light blanket over his kennel so he couldn't see out, that he would settle down. I also put one of my old flannel shirts that I had worn (and not washed) in the kennel. That was a long time ago and I dont' know if I could do that to my baby Rowdy now. I'd probably just put him in bed with me! But I do understand that you may not want to do that. Are you in an apt? If so, it may be difficult to not bother the neighbors. If you are in a house, can you put her in the kennel in the center of the house (in a room without a window so maybe the neighbors can't hear) and let her cry? I'm not sure I could do that, but if you really want her to sleep in the kennel - that may be the only way. When we first got Rowdy, he would go right to sleep in his kennel, but he would wake up about 3:00-4:00am to go potty. When I would put him back in his kennel, sometimes he would cry. Usually he would quiet down, but occasionally he just would not. On those nights, I would get up and sleep on the couch in the den - we have a comfy dog bed on the floor and he would get into that and then he and I could sleep the rest of the night. We have a concrete floor in the den so I didn't worry about potty accidents - although he never got up in the night to potty. After a few nights though, he started sleeping through the night and I only had to do that a few nights.

RowdysMom-I am in an apartment. That's what has me worried. She's not in a crate though. She's in an exercise pen in the living room. During the day she does fine. I can put her in there and she wimpers for just a minute or two then stops. But at night, she just goes crazy. I would be surprised if she slept a total of three hours last night.

I've read some posts here that suggest taking a soda can and adding some coins. When the dog barks, shake the can. Someone else suggested a spray bottle.

A post by TotosMom said she got her pup to quit barking in one day by doing something that annoyed the dog as much as barking annoyed her: She "tapped on the wire part of her crate with a little metal curtain rod and she stopped! It only took maybe a half dozen times and she quit and didn't do it anymore! Now, if she barks when she shouldn't, we simply tell her "No bark". It can be done!"

The search menu on this web site is pretty cool. I typed in "bark" and was directed to threads with that information. You might cruise for other ideas.

Good luck.

I wonder if she's scared of the dark??? Can you leave a light on for her in the living room? Something is distressing her at night - if she is OK in the pen during the day - because I'm assuming she can't see you every minute of the time that she's in the pen during day, can she? If not, then maybe it has something to do with the dark. Maybe you could try leaving the TV on in the living room? I don't know, I'm so grateful that Rowdy was so easy - but I know it is not easy for some little ones to get adjusted - it does sound like she is distressed though.

Also, have you thought about trying a crate? Dogs are den animals and if she is scared in the open pen at night, maybe she would do better in a crate at night - it would be smaller and more confined, it might feel safer.

I thought about the scared of the dark thing too. I tried leaving a light on but that did not seem to even lower the ear piercing decibles. I may try a crate tomorrow night but she is just so tiny that it worries me. Weighing just over a pound, I don't want her to be forced to go potty in the crate because she can't hold it at all yet. I'm scared of messing with the potty training thing because we haven't had much of a problem getting her to go potty outside so far. Hey, at least something is going well!

As I mentioned, Rowdy would go right to sleep in the crate and then he would bark at me in the middle of the night to let me know he had to go potty - he never pottied in the crate. The crate is worth a try - I know it is hard, but she will get settled.

Thanks so much. I know she'll get better, its just hard to think clearly when you haven't slept in days and you and your spouse are at each other because of exhaustion! I just keep reminding myself how much fun she is the rest of the time.

If you don't want her in the bed with you maybe the pen or a playpen next to your bed would make her feel more secure. This worked for me until mine were big enough and potty trained enough to sleep in the bed with me.

That is one determined little pup...I'll bet if you took her into bed with you, she quiet down real nice...hehe. (Smart puppy..) :animal36


Francie

Is she getting enough exercise during the day? Maybe she still wants to play when it is time to go to bed. Especially if she is getting alot of sleep in the late afternoon. I forget who said a tired puppy is a good puppy. I'm sure she'll settle down soon. Good luck!

KnitBrit,
That is an excellent suggestion. I know that when Rowdy was a little guy, mabe about 3 months old, I would take him out for a walk whenever he would get into that wild puppy running session. It would usually happen around 8:30pm and so I would just take him out for a walk and then he would be pooped out and ready for bed at about 9:30-10:00 and he would sleep through the night. I know we all think our pups play play play all day long, but a puppy that won't sleep more than 3 hrs per night, probably could use some more exercise.

I just wanted to let you know that it does get better. When I brought Cowboy home he weighed 1.9 lbs. I kept him in a playpen during the day and at night with a potty pad. He barked alot at night. I put him in a crate beside my bed when he got almost 2 lbs.I put his big stuffed bear in there with him and a nylabone. He barked for about 30 min for about 3-4 nights. I took him out at about 10:30pm and then several times a night. I got up at 6:00 and took him out. When he was about 4mo old he could hold it all night in the crate. He does not bark in there anymore. But I only put him in there at night. Good Luck

I'm assuming you haven't had your baby for very long. She may just be lonely at night. Can you put her pen in your bedroom? We were able to train Tucker not to bark by saying "No Bark" very sternly. But, I'd trade that for doing well with the potty training....he just goes where ever and when ever he pleases. It will get better and she will settle down. You will sleep again, I promise!

Isn't that the truth! :D I've never had one cry at night in my life! He-he...

:aimeeyork since I got my little bundle of joy, he's slept with us. He's never cried and the only time he's ever been in his crate, is when we tested it out to see how we felt about it. we left him in there for about an hour or two while we went to the store , I think it was. Needless to say he still sleeps with us. during the day, we put baby gates in both enterances of the kitchen and lay his crate inside with the door open. this way if he feels like it he can go lay in it himself. when he sleeps with us we put his dog bed between our pillows and we have an industrial paper clip that we clip to the head board and we clip his leash to it. we only give him enough slack to get to the end of His bed. this way if he gets up or moves in the night we know to let him out.

Thanks for all the help everyone. I took her to the vet yesterday because she was wheezing and found out that she has a respiratory infection. That's why she's been sleeping A LOT during the day. I thought the same thing about not being tired because she wasn't playing as much as she was when we brought her home. Come to find out it's because she is sick. I also put her in a play pen in my room and she only started to whine very quietly about 3 times last night. As soon as I told her no barking, she went right back to sleep. THANK GOODNESS!!!

Aww, poor baby. I'm sorry she is sick. It's good you guys are all getting some rest though. I hope she feels better soon!

I'm sorry she has a respiratory infection. Take good care of her and keep her warm and out of drafts. Kacee sends hugs and kisses. :)

Thanks for the kind thoughts. She is starting to feel a little better I think. She's still sleeping a lot though. I'm sure she'll be even bettery by tomorrow. :)

These little babies are so much like human babies. There is always a reason for their behavior, if we can just figure it out! I'm so glad that she is feeling better and making progress now. Good for you! :)