Nightime puppy parenting

[Bridget and Lupin]

In order to keep Lupin from fussing when we put her in her soft crate for bedtime I lie down next to her crate for a little while to settle her and then leave my hoodie there after I get into bed (she's in our room).  I have to do this again after she goes out in the middle of the night (its only once).  First couple nights it was 20-30 mins that I camped out by her and the last two nights have been more like 10mins.  Is this an ok thing to do?  I don't like letting her cry but neither do I want to create a bigger behavioral problem.  We didn't let our kiddo cry it out, so I can't see letting a puppy do it either.....

Thanks in advance.

[Marnie, Stanlee's Mom]

Our crate is at the foot of the bed and for the first 4 or 5 days I slept with my head at the foot of the bed and my hand along the side of the crate so that Stanlee could see me and not "worry".  I am such a nerd and now know where my dog gets his nerdiness.  He never once cried and the fears (in this instance) just happen to be all mine and not his.  LOL There are a number of great suggestions listed here, do what works best for you and your pup.  I will say this, I wish I had started early in the “Brady Goose Training Method”.  Unfortunately, I would get excited and NON-robotic during our nightly potty breaks and now every time he goes outside to pee or poo it's an "event".  The robotic repetition would be my choice in potty training were I to do it all over.  Especially since Stanlee is NOT a mini doodle.

[Sundae]

My breeder gave me a great idea and I can report it was successful.  We put Bennie's crate on an ottoman beside the bed so he was at the same height as we are.  He fussed for a minute or two, I told him no and to go night night.  I put my fingers through the crate and reassured him.  He calmed down fairly quickly.  If he fusses I put my fingers through and he settles, but I have only needed to do that a few nights and not at all in the last week.  He has been with us for two weeks today.  I think the fact that he can see us and knows it is night night time for all made everything much easier.  I loved the idea of the ottoman!  My breeder was brilliant! 

I hope Lupin is doing well also!

[Bridget and Lupin]

 I'm so glad you have a routine that works for you!  After about 3-4 nights we didn't have to lie by Lupin's crate anymore.  She's still in our bedroom (where I figure she'll stay....my dogs have always slept in a soft crate in my room) and as an added reassurance I leave a hoodie next to her crate.  I'd leave it inside but she'd chew it to bits.  :-) She also has a Snuggle Puppy.

[Jay, Lola and Colonel Esau]

Yes!  I used a Snuggle Puppy with Lola and it was great.  In fact it kind of looked like her mother, so we called it Tawny.  Which make it kind of silly when she was about 12 weeks old and tried to hump it.  Watch the stuffing, though - after a while she tore poor Tawny to bits and we had to get a new one.  

The other thing that worked great was I downloaded a metronome app on my iphone, turned it to a setting that kind of sounded like a dog's heartbeat and put that next to her crate while she slept.  Worked like a charm.

[Bridget and Lupin]

That's awesome that Duke slept so long!  Lupin has been sleeping about 10pm-6am the last few nights, so it could be your new normal!  We have a nightlight on in the hall and we leave our bedroom door open.....something we did pre-puppy b/c our 3 yr old sleeps in our bed.  I think what you are doing with the hall light on is good too.  Hell, even I don't like total darkness!  :-)  We also have a fan running....again, something I've always done, but I have read that white noise helps them.  Digits crossed that you get another good nights sleep!

[Bridget and Lupin]

I think if you prefer it darker then I'd try it sooner rather than later so he doesn't get accustomed to the light.  And who knows...it may not make any difference to him.  I think having your scent nearby and the white noise is the bigger comfort.  But hey, what do I really know!? :-)

[Judith and Griffin]

I can't tell you how helpful it is to read all this before we bring Griffin home on Saturday!  Thank you all for sharing :-)

[Bridget and Lupin]

Yay!  Well done Duke!  I hope tonight goes as smoothly.  Our breeder said that a puppy will (generally!) adapt to its home....ie: if you like it dark to sleep, they'll like it dark to sleep.  I think there is some truth to that.  :-)  Just curious....do you have a divider in your night -time crate?  Its a good way to make sure they won't potty in their crate over night.  Now if only I could get a handle on day-time pottying and BITING.  Argh.

[Bridget and Lupin]

I guess what Lupin likes best for chewing depends on the time of day...hahaha!  She's just started getting into her little puppy kong in the last couple days and she's also into her Orka rings...two silicone rings separated by a rope ring.  But the real fav?  An empty 20oz diet coke bottle.  You read that right.  :-)

[Doug, Micki, Dawson & Mya]

Know what you're saying. Dawson won't leave me alone if I have a pop bottle. He'll even try to bunt a half full bottle off the end table and steal it. First thing he does is peal the label. Make sure you cut that cap ring off the bottle before you give it to him  tho..... They'll get it off in no time, and Mya has gotten one stuck in the bridge of her mouth before we thought about  the danger.....