Django's night 2 rougher than 1

buddydobe · 06-04-2008, 09:45 AM

Ok, I had a little bit of a reality check last night after a pretty easy first day.

Last night I put him in the crate for bed, and he cried and cried. He was not happy. Thankfully I have earplugs. His little tantrums last about 15-20 minutes and come in waves. I was surprised, b/c he was in his crate for the long drive the other day, pretty much no problem. Anyway, I'm leaving some treats in there today, to see if that helps.

So I ignored the crying...but it came a few times later in the night and thought he might actually have to go...so I waited for a pause in the cries...when he was quiet, I came and let him out....he peed right away.

Anyone have any thoughts? Am I handling it ok?

Also, he is really scratching his ears a lot...I have him rigged with a sock like the breeder showed me, so he can't actually get at the ears. I try to distract him with toys...any other suggestions?

btw-I am SO glad I found this forum...you guys are the best

**Burns** · 06-04-2008, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by buddydobe

Last night I put him in the crate for bed, and he cried and cried. He was not happy. Thankfully I have earplugs. His little tantrums last about 15-20 minutes and come in waves. I was surprised, b/c he was in his crate for the long drive the other day, pretty much no problem. Anyway, I'm leaving some treats in there today, to see if that helps.

So I ignored the crying...but it came a few times later in the night and thought he might actually have to go...so I waited for a pause in the cries...when he was quiet, I came and let him out....he peed right away.

Anyone have any thoughts? Am I handling it ok?

Yes, it sounds like you are handling it well. How old is your pup? You may want to take away his water a few hours before bedtime so there is less of a chance of him needing to go in the middle of the night. Take him out the very last thing you do before you put him to bed, and the very first thing you do when you wake up in the morning. It's good you didn't let him out of the crate when he was crying, and also that you recognized the crying in the middle of the night was because he probably had to go. Keep up the good work

Quote:

Originally Posted by buddydobe

Also, he is really scratching his ears a lot...I have him rigged with a sock like the breeder showed me, so he can't actually get at the ears. I try to distract him with toys...any other suggestions?

When were his ears cropped? Are they currently posted? I've never heard of putting a sock on them before...

eclaire · 06-04-2008, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by buddydobe

Ok, I had a little bit of a reality check last night after a pretty easy first day.

Last night I put him in the crate for bed, and he cried and cried. He was not happy. Thankfully I have earplugs. His little tantrums last about 15-20 minutes and come in waves. I was surprised, b/c he was in his crate for the long drive the other day, pretty much no problem. Anyway, I'm leaving some treats in there today, to see if that helps.

So I ignored the crying...but it came a few times later in the night and thought he might actually have to go...so I waited for a pause in the cries...when he was quiet, I came and let him out....he peed right away.

Anyone have any thoughts? Am I handling it ok?

Also, he is really scratching his ears a lot...I have him rigged with a sock like the breeder showed me, so he can't actually get at the ears. I try to distract him with toys...any other suggestions?

btw-I am SO glad I found this forum...you guys are the best

I'm a new 'mom' too and went through HELL with the crate training... my dobe would scream and yelp to the top of her lungs for 20-25 minutes at a time. (I live in a condo building and warned my neighbors beforehand that there would be periods of crying) You are doing EXACTLY the right thing by ignoring her and waiting until she is quiet to let her out - I know its hard, but its worth it in the end. My girl still whines for a few seconds when we put her in there in the night time, but its just because she rather cuddle in bed with us.. sookie baby... we just ignore her and she stops... it will get easier as the days go by!! Good luck

rltriplett · 06-04-2008, 11:17 AM

We got our baby a little over two weeks ago. The first two nights where terrible. I would ignored the whining and cries for a couple hours them have to take her and her crate to a spare room on the other end of are house where she got to spend the rest of the night.
The second night was no better. a couple hours in again we again take her and her crate to the other end of the house. This time she was so worked up that by morning she had pooped all over her crate and her self. YUK....
The third night was way better she only cried for a little while before she realized that she was on the verge of going to the other end of the house. So she pick just the right time to quieten down and go to sleep.
We are picking up her food and water around 8 or 9 and letting her out right before bed. At bed time she will fight you to get in the crate and now sleeps through the night (6am). Good luck it will get better.The secound night was no better. a couple hours in again we take her and her crate to the other end of the house. This time she was so worked up that by morning she had pooped all over her crate and her self. YUK....
The third night was way better she only cried for a little while and then went to sleep.
We are picking up her food and water around 8 or 9 and letting her out right before bed. At bed time she will fight you to get in the crate and now sleeps through the night (6am). Good luck it will get better.

buddydobe · 06-04-2008, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eclaire

I'm a new 'mom' too and went through HELL with the crate training... my dobe would scream and yelp to the top of her lungs for 20-25 minutes at a time. (I live in a condo building and warned my neighbors beforehand that there would be periods of crying) You are doing EXACTLY the right thing by ignoring her and waiting until she is quiet to let her out - I know its hard, but its worth it in the end. My girl still whines for a few seconds when we put her in there in the night time, but its just because she rather cuddle in bed with us.. sookie baby... we just ignore her and she stops... it will get easier as the days go by!! Good luck

Sounds just like my boy last night!! Nice to know it gets easier...I'm pretty beat right now from lack of sleep the last 2 days! I'll keep it up and hope for the best...

Murreydobe · 06-04-2008, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Burns

When were his ears cropped? Are they currently posted? I've never heard of putting a sock on them before...

I use sock bonnets all the time on newly cropped puppies. This is when they're still in cups. It provides a layer of cushioning and helps to keep the cut edges clean

**Burns** · 06-04-2008, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Murreydobe

I use sock bonnets all the time on newly cropped puppies. This is when they're still in cups. It provides a layer of cushioning and helps to keep the cut edges clean

ah I see, thanks! Maybe you have advice for buddydobe about the itching? I didn't realize the pup was that newly cropped.

Murreydobe · 06-04-2008, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Burns

ah I see, thanks! Maybe you have advice for buddydobe about the itching? I didn't realize the pup was that newly cropped.

The only time I've ever noticed a lot of itching was when the ears are pretty close to being ready to have the stitches pulled, like any other scab. That generally lasts for about a day. All you can do is try to distract them. I'm sure it's probably easier to distract them when there are other dogs around for them to play with-probably more of an issue in single dog homes.

**errica** · 06-04-2008, 02:28 PM

Sounds like you are doing everything right! Our second night was worse than the first. A lot worse. But the third and fourth nights have been great. A little crying right when he goes in the crate and then nothing until about 5:30a (we crate him around 10:30p and take water away around 8:30p)

It's hard to listen to them cry and yelp and howl though! The other thing we have done the past two nights, that I think have helped a lot, is to tire him out. We'll play pretty intensely with him for about and hour, then let him relax and calm down with some gentle playing for 30 minutes right before he goes int he crate. Oh, and NO NAPPING for at least 3 hours prior to bed. Every time he starts to lay down I'll get a new toy out and get him playing again.

Keep up the good work with Django! And try to get some rest!

buddydobe · 06-04-2008, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Murreydobe

The only time I've ever noticed a lot of itching was when the ears are pretty close to being ready to have the stitches pulled, like any other scab. That generally lasts for about a day. All you can do is try to distract them. I'm sure it's probably easier to distract them when there are other dogs around for them to play with-probably more of an issue in single dog homes.

You hit that right on the head...he's a single dog. I'll try to play with him even more! He was just cropped Sunday. Been changing his sock daily and using Animax ointment, although the first day, I did it by myself, and didn't do a very good job applying it. But we both did much better today though. The scabs were pretty dry so I'm hoping the better application today helps...