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Question:

I have a 3 month old Miniature Pinscher that we just brought home last week. I know this is way too soon to be expecting anything, but I did want to voice my problem and see if any of you have suggestions. Initially, we designated the kitchen area as his place to stay during the night while he sleeps and during the day while we work. Then we switched to a crate at night and continue to use the kitchen during the workday. The problem is that he begins to cry the moment he can’t be with us, day or night. During the day, my neighbor has said he’ll cry for hours on end. At night, it’s been a little easier. But not by much. Any ideas how long this phase will last? We live in an apartment building and I’m feeling a little guilty for all of the noise.   I certainly don’t blame the pup. Also, regarding the crating, if you make sure they haven’t have much food or water before going to sleep and they’ve gone to the bathroom already… Should you let them out if they wake up every few hours trying to get out or leave them inside and hope they stop and go back to sleep?   Thanks for the input, Sleepless in San Francsico

Response:

We keep our 3 month old English Springer Spaniel in his crate at night in our bedroom. Pal cried for 3 nights, and after moving him to our bedroom, he settled down. Pal is taken out at night between 8 and 8:30. I then crate him, and he goes to sleep. Sometimes he will wake up when my husband comes in from work, but I do not let him out until he awakens around 5a. He does his business, and then we go back to bed and crate until around 7a. Pal only has to be left alone 3 days a week. I did not want to crate him for 9 hours, so I lay newspaper in the bathroom, and pick up anything he might get into. I put his crate with the door left open in the bathroom, and also leave on the lights and a radio for company, and of course leave him food and water. I will never forget those few nights of crying. It just about broke my heart. Good luck to you, Sleepless in San Francsico.    Gina

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Yes, it is to soon to expect any miracles.  But, here are some suggestions I have used for my puppies. First, during the day have someone let him out to use the do his business half way through the day, 8 hours is to long for him to wait.  Plus this will be a good way for him to build trust with humans, he knows someone you’ll be back.   Next, at night put the crate in your bedroom that way you can correct his whimpering and/or barking quickly. You’ll also be there if he gets scared in the middle of the night, this will also aid in the bonding process.  Don’t put him in bed with you though, he will get the idea that he is at the same level with you and challenge you for the leader of the "dog pack". Lastly, hints for when you leave during the day.  Find a room that is comfortable for him, and put the crate in there and put him in the crate.  The kitchen is too big and scary for him and because most kitchens have nothing to absorb noices his barking will actually sound louder to your neighbors, and it will make him even more panicked.  The crate is the best thing for him,  it will become his "den" and comfort zone when is it over stimulated. (It’s not cruel like many think, think about wolves in the wild, they live in small holes underground, its where there are comfortable and safe.)  This will also save your furniture and woodwork.  My last suggestion for little puppies, I’ve used for all of my dogs is give them a little treat when you put them in their crate for the day.  I use these hollow hard bones I get from Wal-Mart and stuff them with peanut butter or spray cheese.  They are so busy with getting the goody out of the bone they don’t realize you have left.  Don’t completely take out the water he will need some throughout the day.  Eventually he will stop peeing in the crate. Good luck Krysten

Response:

I had the same problem with my lab puppy when she first came home.  I was worried sick for two weeks (we live in an apartment building too) about the noise and about her being lonely.  I left her in the kitchen during the day, too.  After two weeks, it pretty much stopped.  Luckily, I had understanding neighbors and they offered to come down when the crying got really bad and keep her company for a little bit while we were gone.  I think that helped a lot. Good luck!  It will get better.

Response:

Try to ignore the puppy when it’s crying, reward him and spend some time with him when he has stopped

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At your pup’s age, definitely keep the crate in your bedroom at night.  He will be quieter because he can smell his pack, and you will not be bothered by his crying. Should he wake up and whine or cry, do take him to the piddling spot so he can urinate and/or defecate.  Again, at his age, he will have to go often, and if his little bladder is so full that he wakes up, then he definitely needs to urinate.  Just take him to his paper or outside spot, but no playtime.  Out, he does his business, you PRAISE HIM (only the smartest dogs know to go in the [wherever it is you want him to go]), then back inside to sleep. Cheer up–as he gets older, he will sleep longer. How many hours is he left alone during the day–remember, you are talking about a young puppy, who will find it physiologically difficult to retain his urine and feces a full work day. Avrama & Shomer .. nfx v2.7 [C0000] World’s most beautiful dog: he looks at you with love.  

Response:

> I have a 3 month old Miniature Pinscher that we just brought home last > week. > I know this is way too soon to be expecting anything, but I did want to > voice my problem and see if any of you have suggestions. > Initially, we designated the kitchen area as his place to stay during > the night while he sleeps and during the day while we work. Then we > switched to a crate at night and continue to use the kitchen during the > workday. > You don’t mention where you keep the crate at night. It should

*definately* be in your bedroom, right next to your bed. That way you can reach down and softly rap the crate when he whines but he also knows your there. Obviously the Min Pin breeder didn’t warn you that an overwhelming number of these little dogs sleep in their owners beds, under the covers….they like to and were bred to burrow. You can obviously wait until he is housebroken for that:-). > The problem is that he begins to cry the moment he can’t be with us, day > or night. During the day, my neighbor has said he’ll cry for hours on > end. At night, it’s been a little easier. But not by much.

A Kong Toy called a Tuffy, which is a hollow rubber thing that you fill with peanut butter, cheese, banana etc is a good way to occupy the attention during part of the day. Lots of other toys help and he will learn that you are coming back. > Any ideas how long this phase will last? > We live in an apartment building and I’m feeling a little guilty for all > of the noise.   > I certainly don’t blame the pup. > Also, regarding the crating, if you make sure they haven’t have much > food or water before going to sleep and they’ve gone to the bathroom > already… > Should you let them out if they wake up every few hours trying to get > out or leave them inside and hope they stop and go back to sleep?  

Is he trying to tell you that he needs to go to the bathroom? Thats the only reason to let him out during the night. Remember also that Min Pins are very demanding little dogs, but yours is still very young so lots of love is a big necessity right now. Good luck and any more questions, just give me an e-mail. Petie – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Thanks for the input, > Sleepless in San Francsico

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