I know I'll get the best advice from you guys

[Wasseem Sidhom]

At this point, (and we're on day 5 of having him) Cooper 3.5 months cries for 30 - 45 minutes once I put him in his crate at night. after all, we let my kids cry it out in their crib. He's then quite for the rest of the night with no whining/barking and no accidents. I do hope that the whining periods will start decreasing soon.

My issue now is that he's very clingy.  I cannot move 3 steps without him following me.  If he's in a deep sleep, he'd perk right up and follow me 3 steps. If I try to put him in a long term confinement area with a zillion toys, he just cries and cries.  I feel like he just wants to be with humans around the clock. We tried leaving him home alone in a confinement area one day, when we got home 3 hours later he was out of it...not quite sure how. but the house was clean and no accidents.  I adjusted the gate and today, put him in there and he went nuts for a solid 35 - 40 minutes until i gave him attention and took him out of it. I know it was my fault for caving, but I had to get on a conference call and I couldn't have him raise hell in the background.

[John Wang]

Quick FYI also, Boomer's 'nightmare' period lasted us just short of two weeks. And he barked throughout the night. I think if Cooper's only crying for 30-45 minutes once he's in his crate, his break in period will be even shorter. Do you give him lots of treats when he first goes into the crate? And have him go in of his own volition (if you shove him in there it'll seem like a punishment). We also don't immediately leave the area once he's crated, we wait until he's settled down (and do our own chores)

[Jordan & Daisy]

Ughh I feel your pain!! Daisy is past this now but it was a very very hard adjustment for her at first. She is almost 6 months and it's gotten so much better. I started being firm with her actually, and when she would cry a lot I would say a firm NO. It kind of startled her into not crying. She also has gotten less clingy, she still follows me around but not nearly as much and she's entering into the independence phase for sure. I am curious to see what advice others give you but my experience has been that as she's gotten older things have gotten easier. Good luck!

[Mindy Rapp]

Where is the crate?  Doodle cried when I first put her in her crate like crazy.  I moved her crate into my bedroom and she is a lot better.  I was letting her sleep loose, but she is chewing on the cords, so she's back in there.  She starts to freak out, but if I lay where she can see me, she'll calm down. 

The clinginess thing I don't think will end.  I have 2 dogs Doodle, a one year old goldendoodle and a smaller shih Tzu mix that is 3.  They follow me everywhere.  They can be sound asleep, but if I get up to anywhere it doesn't take long until they are right behind me. 

[Deb's Yarrow and Schatzi]

He needs to bond with you.  Once he feels secure he'll become more independent.

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

:)

[Laura & Sophie Doodle]

The whining definitely gets easier! I can't remember exactly how long Sophie whined at night but I can guarantee it wasn't any longer than 2 weeks. She's 6 months now and will go into her crate happily and voluntarily whenever she's sleepy. 

Also, Sophie used to follow me like that everywhere!  She laid on my lap whenever I was on the couch, laid at my feet while I was in the kitchen, laid on the bath mat while I showered.. everything. She is so much more independent now to the point that I sometimes miss her following me around :). She definitely still does like to cuddle and will follow me into the kitchen if she smells something cooking  but if she's sleeping or busy chewing on a toy she definitely doesn't get up to follow me. I feel your pain, though. We had a playpen where I thought I'd leave her when I couldn't keep a close eye on her and she HATED being in it alone and would whine. Luckily, we live in an apt so it was pretty easy to keep an eye on her, plus she liked to stay close. 

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

Believe me...once he becomes comfortable in his surroundings, the clinginess will fade. Enjoy it while it lasts!

[Gail and Bailey]

Cooper is still a baby and needs to have time to adjust to being away from his mom and siblings.  He wants to be with you so he can bond and relax into his new home.  He will grow up so fast!  Enjoy him and make him feel secure now when he needs it and he will soon be a wonderful part of your family!