Howling Puppy

[evj]

I have a 10 week old whippet puppy who's been here since he was 6 weeks. He's a confident happy little boy apart from when he's left alone. I use a crate when i can't watch him and he goes nuts. Howls and cries for ages before he settles. At the minute Im just ignoring him but my neighbours are complaining about the noise. Is there any way to encourage him to be more settled? I've ordered a dap spray and he has Kong, chews , toys etc. Not sure what to do as he seems to be getting worse.

 

[CorvusCorax]

Opinions differ but that in my view six weeks is too young to be away from Mum, we never used to let our pups go until nine weeks. He is still only a tiny baby.

Is the dog ever in the crate when you are in the same room? Otherwise you've just given him a big red flashing sign, that when he is put in the crate, you leave. Trauma.

You need to teach him that the crate is a fun place to be, for chilling out, for downtime, pop him in there while you cook the dinner or watch the soaps (depending on where the crate is) feed him small meals in there, give him a Kong or a bone in there.

My dog is so bloody conditioned now, when he hears the kettle go on he walks in there with the door open and snuggles up

Also a covered crate (use a blanket) or a plastic crate for aeroplanes is better as the dog is in a darker, more secure area and can't see EVERYTHING going on around him that he cannot get to,.

 

[galaxy]

everything CC said, but also how long are you leaving him for? Do you leave the tele/radio on for him?

 

[CAYLA]

6 weeks is very young and very daunting to find him self alone, I would advise 2 crates (one for the bedroom) completely covered, so he is with you at night as a positive association but contained (as you wish him to be) you then move the crate down stairs as silence resumes, it's alot easier to "shusshhh" him without repeatidly going up and down stairs.
You need to flood him with the crate in a very positive manner and then as you see him accept it, less time in the crate and more time out, but for now its about tiring him out then (crate time) not 90% in your company and 10% in the crate, inc car journeys in a small crate (positive association) he can be kept up in your arms when you get out for a short stroll somewhere, he can use his nose and eyes (just as tiring for a little baby)
Lots of goodies in the crate like pork rolls, pigs ears, master pet veg treats and feed him all his meals in there give him a (lovely comfy bed) and a TEDDY bear atleast his size or bigger for a fake sibling to cuddle into minus nose and eyes (so he cant chew them) cover the crate as suggested, esp at night as not to disturb him or have him wake to early for the break of dawn, but also crate him when you are around aswell as gone, he must not associate always being in there with you disappearing (it's just gentle trickery)

If you would like one of my puppy guides to give alot more detailed advice just PM me an email addy and I will send one to you.

Any piccies please?

 

[Alec Swan]

I'm lost for words, almost.

The puppy was taken from its siblings and its environment, at 6 weeks. Yes?

The puppy is now 10 weeks. Yes?

Why is he being put into a cage, and is it any wonder that he "goes nuts", as you put it? "At the moment you're just ignoring it". Really? "He howls and cries before he settles". NO ***T, I wonder why.

"He seems to be getting worse". Your words, not mine.

The poor little man.

Tell me something evj, just why did you buy this puppy, and what are you hoping to achieve?

Alec.

 

[Dobiegirl]

Evj do yourself a favour and order Caylas puppy and crate guide, we did with our puppy and she loves her crate, house training was easy peasy, no crying at night although our pup was older than yours.

 

[Rebels]

If you don't know better or believe the breeder when they ring you up and say pups ready then you take it. My spaniel was 5 1/2 weeks when we got him, the rest of the litter had gone already. We learnt and weaned him with powder pup milk. Not ideal, he's 12 now though so hasn't killed him. Evj has the pup now so no good saying how bad it is.

 

[evj]

I know 6 weeks is far too young but he was bought for me by my well meaning but clue less boy friend. He's here now and i plan on doing my best by him.

He settles very quickly on a night within a couple of minutes but i give him the run of the kitchen he's not shut in his crate. Its during the day if he's put in when i do school run etc that he gets upset. Not for long maybe half hour to an hour.
He sleeps in his crate with the door open quite happily and isn't bothered by it being shut if Im in the room. I haven't been FEEDING HIM in there so ill start doing that.
Were going to puppy classes where i was advised to shut him in the crate with treats etc and ignore the crying. Most of what I've read on the internet seems to say the same. Thank you for the advice and Cayla I've pm'd you thanks.

 

[CorvusCorax]

I wasn't saying EVJ was a terrible person, just explaining why a young pup taken from Mum so soon might not slip seamlessly into sleepless nights and cope well a disappearing human x

Do throw something in there before the school run so that it creates a positive experience - like 'OHMIGOD IT'S KONG TIME!' not 'crap, Mum's going out at that time again and she might never come baaaack'.

 

[Alec Swan]

evj, I agree with Rebels, the puppy is now with you, and it's too late to turn back any clocks. I once reared a puppy from the age from 10 days, so it can be done. I put him down when he was 16. I never want such an intense relationship with any dog, again!! That's all by the way.

Your opening post, and your last seem to tell different and now reducing stories. The problem now seems to be when you do the school run. Why would it be so difficult to take the puppy with you? I have puppies with me at THE most inconvenient times, and we seem to muddle through. The point, of course, is that we don't just "muddle through", but we learn from each other, the pup and I. The pup also learns from those who we are both with. It isn't difficult and it'll save your neighbours whinging!!

Alec.

 

[CAYLA]

People let pups go to young and fool/con the inexperienced who know no better. Alec the OP is asking for help (not doing the usual) "I can't deal with this pup, I want it out or sold by now"
Again as I mentioned before this pup lives indoors NOT a kennel therefore safety has to be taken into consideration as well as creating a safe place and a haven (which is more often created by a smaller area) as opposed to a larger area to create more panic and anxiety. Using the crate as a training tool for the (home) for a period until it can be phased out is not a barbaric practice she could always bung the pup in an out shed/outbuilding/kennel and have the pleasure of not listening to it's cries until such time it accepts the kennel but it's a house dog (house dogs require more training) and more patience.
OP, of course I will send you a guide, and well done you for working with this pup (it's not an easy process) but imo its a very good start in puppy training.
Crating will help you avoid seperation issues later in life
*Help you toilet train the puppy
*Keep the puppy safe from harm
*Get the puppy used to being enclosed for any period in life you may need to rest it for any medical issues (broken legs) vets visits etc
*Help create a safe and contained mode of travel
* Help to avoid seperation anxiety issues later in life (which is actually an alarmingly high percentage of reasons dogs are discarded.

The crate is/can be used for a limited period by which time is phased out (if your dog will then allow it)

 

[CAYLA]

evj, I agree with Rebels, the puppy is now with you, and it's too late to turn back any clocks. I once reared a puppy from the age from 10 days, so it can be done. I put him down when he was 16. I never want such an intense relationship with any dog, again!! That's all by the way.

Your opening post, and your last seem to tell different and now reducing stories. The problem now seems to be when you do the school run. Why would it be so difficult to take the puppy with you? I have puppies with me at THE most inconvenient times, and we seem to muddle through. The point, of course, is that we don't just "muddle through", but we learn from each other, the pup and I. The pup also learns from those who we are both with. It isn't difficult and it'll save your neighbours whinging!!

Alec.

It is not always advisable for dogs to be taken everywhere it's humans goes as I mention this can create huge separation issues (it's not teaching the dog to feel comfortable and non anxious in it's own space without relying on constant company), you have to take into consideration this maybe an only pup/may always be an only pup and the owner may not have the luxury of a kennel to pop her dog in at other times it may need to be left alone, or adequate space in the car or feel safe leaving a dog in the car for any period, she may need to pop to the Dr's or shops after a school run which may leave the pup susceptible to being stolen. There are many more factors to be taken into consideration than (take the pup/dog) everywhere you go.

 

[Dobiegirl]

Good posts Cayla, Im sure youve forgotten more than a lot of us will ever know considering all the dogs through your hands over the years.

When we got Pip she was our first pup for over 20years and you sent us your puppy and crate guide and things have moved on in those years, it was certainly easier this time than last even wearing rose tinted spectacles.

I try and keep an open mind and move with the times ,as Ive often told
my daughter its pointless getting older if you dont get wiser.

 

[CAYLA]

Good posts Cayla, Im sure youve forgotten more than a lot of us will ever know considering all the dogs through your hands over the years.

When we got Pip she was our first pup for over 20years and you sent us your puppy and crate guide and things have moved on in those years, it was certainly easier this time than last even wearing rose tinted spectacles.

I try and keep an open mind and move with the times ,as Ive often told
my daughter its pointless getting older if you dont get wiser.

I love the last part how very true

 

[evj]

As much as id love to take him every where with me its not possible. Dogs are not allowed in school yards and leaving him in my car results in the alarm going off every 2 minutes.
Ill start following the crate advice straight away and hopefully hell feel more secure.
Here's a pic of the little terror

 

[Kaylum]

never put my pup in a cage have taught them how to live in the house. Even my rescue one that was not house trained and was over 12 months old. Any way what I recommend you do is to get a heat pad that you put in the microwave so the bed is warm and cosy and a tshirt with your smell on, did you get anything from the seller with the mothers smell on? The radio is always good for when you go out, leave it on they do this in kennels. Don't leave for too long to begin with, if you have to use a crate leave the door open when your in and the you pup can decide to go in there when it likes. When its tired don't cuddle it put it in its bed.

 

[evj]

<a href=http://s1171.photobucket.com/albums/r544/emmavictoriajones/?action=view&current=20130204_202346_zps3ea90309.jpg target=_blank><img src=http://i1171.photobucket.com/albums/r544/emmavictoriajones/20130204_202346_zps3ea90309.jpg border=0 alt=></a>

 

[evj]

 

[evj]

Total photo fail sorry but he is lovely promise.

 

[Rebels]

Have a quick scan of you car manual, there should be a button somewhere which you can press which locks the doors but turns off the interior motion detector so pup is safe and car is happy. I have to leave my dog in his crate in my car when I ride out so have found the button very very useful!!!

 

[Venevidivici]

OP,he is a stunning puppy! Gorgeous Hope all the advice helps.

 

[Dexter]

I've been here and its horrid! Whippets are notorious for SA. Mine used to bay like a wolf if I even left the room He was genuinely frightened, not just a naughty bored dog. I used the full works; Thundershirt, DAP, kongs, valerian and endless training. I have never walked in and out of soo many doors as I did that month

It took at least a month to see an improvement, and it took until he was 9 months for him to be truly comfortable with being left. In the end I rescued an older bitch and now he couldnt care less

I've got a whippet puppy sized Thundershirt for sale if your interested? It definitely helped my dog

 

[maxine1985]

Our whippet puppy is 5 months old now and is successfully housetrained, happy to be left for up to 4 hours without a fuss and puts herself into her crate at night.

One thing i did find is when she was tiny was she loved being covered over in a fleece but would whine and make a fuss if she moved around and it uncovered her.
Soon as she was covered up she was fine, could leave her for few hours, but if she woke up in the night it was rarely because she needed a wee more because she had got cold!

Solved this by buying her an igloo type bed and put one of these in it
http://www.petnap.co.uk/acatalog/petnap.html (only costs 35p per month to have on continuosly!)

She now loves her crate and bed more than anything, as it is so snuggly and warm!

Happy puppy

Good luck with yours he's gorgeous!

 

[Alec Swan]

evj,

I've no further extensions to my thoughts. However, that is a beautiful puppy. I can't see him standing, obviously, but he seems to have the most wonderful bone structure.

That is indeed a seriously handsome puppy. If he looked frightful, I'd say nothing. He doesn't. Were He a She, I'd beat a path to your door.

Alec.

 

[evj]

Just a quick update, started following caylas crate guide and already an improvement. Settles much faster and takes himself off to bed . He's a lovely dog, full of beans. Had his last injection yesterday so very excited about taking him out next week. Thanks for all the advice and help.

 

[Dobiegirl]

Thats brilliant, onwards and upwards now and he is a very striking looking dog.

 

[Goldenstar]

Lovely lovely pup.

 

[evj]

Im totally biased but he is fab. We've started puppy socialization classes and the trainer thinks he's quite bright for a whippet bless him.

 

[Superhot]

Great news now, things can only improve as you bond together and enjoy training your pup, it's soooooo rewarding when they finally click! Lovely looking chap, enjoy...