Dog Community

I need some sleep

Posted : 10/11/2006 7:54:14 AM

We have a four month old Shih Tzu and have had him now for 4 weeks. We are crate training and the first two weeks were great. He slept all night in the crate and would be in the crate during the day while we were at work ( no longer than 4 hours at a time). For the past week and half he has started waking up between 2-3 am, doesn't matter if we put him in at 9 or 11pm. We take him outside to do his business (he knows why he's out there, hardly any accidents in the house in the past 2 weeks) and he wants to run back inside, have to be stern with him to go potty. He will go, its very quick, and then we take him back in and put him back in the crate (not treats or play, I really don't even say anything). He will then start barking , whining, etc. at @ 4am and will go until we get up around 5am. Two nights ago he started at 3am and I put him in the garage while in his crate (he had the 1 and 4 year old up as well, not a pretty sight).
Any clue to what happened? He doesn't fight going into his crate, in fact, he will go in on his own while we are all there or have a friend over. Even this morning he didn't have to go potty, he wanted to be up and to eat.
One last thing, in the evening we play with him until he is done. Fetch, running, you name it, he's getting his exercise.

Scout in Canada

Posted : 10/11/2006 9:36:31 AM

Maybe he's just doing it, because he can. Have you tried putting in some earplugs and not getting up all night? I don't advocate letting the puppy go potty in the crate, but maybe you need to test out whether he really HAS to go, or if he just wants to be let out.

I know waiting it out is hard with kids and all the noise, but by responding to the noise (even once) you are just reinforcing it. The puppy needs to understand that he ONLY gets let out when he's quiet.

Problems like these tend to get worse temporarily before they get better - but you have to stick with it. On the flipside, look at when he's eating & drinking - maybe he has started drinking water too soon before bedtime and can't hold it? You can limit his water intake before bed as well.

Firestorm

Posted : 10/11/2006 10:06:18 AM

What are his feeding times and water consumption? Maybe you need to take water away after he is put in his crate. Has anything else changed in your routine at all? WHat kind of a crate do you have?
My Shih Tzu Harley hated the plastic crate that came with him so we got him a wire one and he loves it. He did give us about 2 weeks of hell with the crate and whining and barking and he is 2yrs. I got him in March now all has been well. He learned rather quickly that he wasn't going to be let out just because he wanted out and was carrying on. Its tough but try and ride it out. Where is your crate? Anyway you can close the doors to the kids rooms to keep it quiet for them?

Blake Bennett

Posted : 10/11/2006 10:47:43 AM

We have a plastic crate, but he's had it all along with no problems until now. He usually goes in around 9:30pm, we will give him a little snack around 9pm and make sure he has a drink and then we take it up. Again, when he does go out around 2:30am, it's a quick pee, and up the steps he goes wanting in. I believe we'll try not letting him out at all and see what happens. If he could hold it 2 weeks ago he should be able to now. Now time to go buy those earplugs

Someone mentioned having clock that ticks or a radio on very low.

Thanks for ya'lls help.

Firestorm

Posted : 10/11/2006 10:58:56 AM

Try keeping your pup out for about 10-15 mins and then take him in. My Shih Tzu will very often take a quick pee and want straight in and I make him stay out for a good 10 minutes to give him a full chance to empty himself. try say potty or what ever word happily when you take him out and when you are out there. Then lots of praise when he does it.

Deb

Posted : 10/11/2006 11:57:36 AM

Um, if he has to go, he has to go. Not taking him out will do nothing but give him a new unwanted experience: peeing in his crate.

I would take him out when he says he needs to, and then put in the earplugs. He is probably doing it to see what will happen, and it seems to have gotten you to pay attention to him, so he's going to continue doing it until it becomes clear to him that nothing happens when he whines and barks.

Firestorm

Posted : 10/11/2006 12:07:22 PM

Also there usually is a difference in bark or whine....there is the I have to got potty and I want attention. Listen closely and I am sure you will be able to tell the difference. You could try an Xpen or gating off a part of the house or try a metal crate or moving the crate into your bedroom. Harley hated the plastic crate...he was ok for a little while then he started raising heck in there. Then we got the metal one and wow he was a happy boy. Good luck and keep us posted on progress.