The Joys of the First Night With a New Puppy

MrsMozart

MrsMozart

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An eight week old Border Collie girl came home with us today :D. She's to be D2's friend and agility dog :D.

Spent the day introducing her to the other dogs, one at a time as they've been together for years now, and to her bed and crate (it's like a penthouse in there lol). Now she's in for the night and she'd really rather be out. Quite vocal is the lass. Doesn't help that it's windy and it sounds like there's a dog fox outside, so the other dogs are reacting by barking.

Hopefully all will settle down soon, or it will be a house of grouchy people tomorrow lol

Any tips, in case this goes on into tomorrow night will be much appreciated! She has a snuggly bed, a dog microwave pad thing, water, a smidgen of food, and a sweatshirt that she had at her old home. I haven't put her in the pen with the other dogs as I'm not sure they'll put up with her yet, but they are in the same room.
 
Cover the cage completely with a blanket, make it into a safe cave, and ignore any noises. If you can get through the first couple of nights without giving in, then you will have got over the worst. Give in and you have a problem that could go on for weeks
 
You can put a blanket over the crate.
Is there still lots going on in the room or is she in a quieter place, if there is lots of hustle and bustle she will be quite restless.
Be patient, it's just her first night :) and don't fuss her too much.
It might last a few nights, or even weeks, it just depends on the pup, just to prepare you.
Also the crate might be too big if you say it is like a penthouse, can you section a bit of it off so it is snug, rather than an open space.
 
Thank you B :D Completely forgot the cover cage. Will do that.

She's being ignored. No doubt D will be in a sleep deprived grunt tomorrow as he's the one that responds to the dogs making a noise - I can normally slept through anything :D
 
Thank you CC :D

Will put a blanket over. The room is quiet, nothing happening in there. The crate whilst biggish is mainly taken up by her bed, which was chosen for its lumpy softness, if that makes sense - makes it snuggly and cosy - then there's a water bowl and a little bit of space. Will look tomorrow and see if it can be made cosier, if not will swap it for one of the smaller crates :) :)

We expected a few broken nights :). She'll get the hang of it soon enough :)
 
Cotton wool or ear plugs will help :)
Almost any vocal response will be seen as attention and will not help her settle so slap D :p

Maybe just me, but I would not leave a full bowl of water with her overnight, just enough to 'do' her, or she will just wee everywhere, she's still only got a tiny bladder.
 
my pup got it in one night, so I hope you are as lucky. I would agree with CC, only a small bowl of water, and make sure she is warm, but not too hot as that will make her drink more. I put flodden a small bed in his cage, covered the floor with paper and gave him a couple of big cuddly toys in there as well to take up space, I took him out just before I went to bed, let him have a wee and put him straight back in, no cuddles. i then got up about 4 put him out, let him have a wee and poo, and again back in. No stimulation and blanket covering to the floor. And don;t let the other dogs in the same room as the cage once you have put her to bed as that will just make her want to play with them.
 
Lol D is sitting with his trap firmly buttoned :D D2 is apologising profusely to all and sundry for the noise, but we keep telling her it's not a problem and we were expecting something. I have a nice feather pillow to strap around my head lol.

Water is just a small amount, in a shallow and stable bowl, so hopefully all well on that front :). There's vet bed on the floor (we have lots of the stuff left over from breeding days), so any wee should go through and leave a comparatively dry surface :) :)

Ta hun :D
 
Thank you B :D Although I refer to it as the penthouse, the bed takes up most of it :) :). She's been in the bed during the day, happily falling asleep, so she could get to know it as hers :)

Sssshhhhh. It's gone quiet....! Quick! Fall asleep now everybody :D

(D2 will get up early to let her out. Under strict instructions to no interaction, otherwise she will be getting up at disgusting o'clock for the next 15+ years lol).
 
Agree with all of the above- we also put the washing machine/dishwasher on for some white noise or the radio. As a result you can get up to go to the toilet/get a drink without her thinking it's party time.
Pictures are required as a matter of urgency!
 
Good going :) Six hours of peace :) Tonight it should be easier, just keep your resolve. My OH broke on day 2 and picked Poppy up and cuddled her and then put her on our bed. DISASTER we started again, but Poppy knew Matt was a soft touch. So it took us longer with her than Flodden who I got sorted on the first night and now sleeps at a drop of a hat as soon as he goes in his cage, and really does not care where his cage is, or who is outside it. Your pup is gorgeous by the way,
 
ive never been able to put anything over the crate for our BC pups - at some point said article will be hauled into the crate in a temper tantrum:cool: On a serious note, we always use vet bed too, and the one time I didnt, my pup of 12 weeks chewed her blanket - which was just a fleece i might have used to put over the crate - and got a thread out of the hem, down her throat and tangled in her bowel. She had to have surgery:o:( Im ridiculously over cautious now.

stuffed kongs and chewy toys are great distractions in the crate, i always leave a radio or tv on as well but have had many sleepless nights lol, oh the joys. Just stay strong and ignore;) She looks a real wee wicked one from your pics on the other thread as well:D:D:D
 
Lol, she is definitely full of life and character! :D :D

D2 has been reading up on how to keep a Collie entertained and occupied :cool::D

Luckily she likes cuddles and chilling out, so will hopefully keep that side to her character :cool:
 
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