Bedtime - Crate Baby

[Hayley Annabelle's Mommy]

HELP! Hayley Annabelle is 7 1/2 weeks old and has been with us for a week and 2 days. The nights in the beginning were HORRIBLE. Cry and Howl for atleast 3-4 hours a night. We have moved Hayley's crate on top of my nightstand so that I can easily give her a rub and a few kind words. This has helped tremendously but I don't know how it is going to work out in the long run. Suggestions would greatly be appreciated.<IMG SRC="http://dachsie.org/ubb/cwmsmilies/cwm35.gif" border=0>

<font color="#00FFFF" font size="1">[This message has been edited by Hayley Annabelle's Mommy (edited September 10, 2000).]</font>

[Augie Dog]

move over mommy, make room in the bed for one more.

there was only one night were aug did not sleep in the bed, that was his first night with us. i gave in, i can stand to hear my cry.

we have a book self at the head of the bed, no books there, just a blanket.<IMG SRC="http://dachsie.org/ubb/cwmsmilies/cwm27.gif" border=0>

[Hayley Annabelle's Mommy]

How old is Aug? What color? Mini? Long or short hair? Does Aug stay at home along during the day?

Just curious. Hayley is asleep on daddy's chest as we speak...a girl has gotta take a nap.

[~8DachsieAngels~]

You might try a ticking alarm clock set somewhere near her crate ... will remind her of her momma's heartbeat also a big stuffed safe doggie toy or blankie helps too.. 7 1/2 weeks is soooo young ... she will be better as she gets old right now shes just very immature...by the time shes 10 or 12wks she should be better able to handle being in a crate all night long. Good Luck ... Welcome to the board Hayley A. and Mom http://dachsie.org/ubb/smilies/smile.gif

Jen

[Augie Dog]

Aug is 7 months now. I work m-f days, wife work odd shifts. Sometimes aug has to be home all day in a "large" crate.

He's a 17lbs tan/red standard. Loves to go for LONG hikes.

[Hayley Annabelle's Mommy]

Aug is a big baby. Hayley weighed 1.04lb a week ago. I think she has grown some. She is a blk/tan long haired mini w/a lot of spirit! I just hope we survive the first few weeks.

[Mrs.F]

http://dachsie.org/ubb/smilies/oogle.gif Stick with it! http://dachsie.org/ubb/smilies/oogle.gif
Our Penny was only 8 weeks old when she came to us, and did NOT like the crate at first. I put it on top of a clothes hamper so that she could see us and so I could stick my fingers through the grate the first few nights. Once I was pretty sure she was over the trauma of separating from mom and littermates I was pretty strict about crying. I'd say,"Quiet" in a stern voice and she'd stop her fussing. We repeated this quite a few times every night, but she caught on. (Actually, if it was after 2 a.m. I'd scoot her outside to relieve herself and then put her right back in the crate.) After about a week she was doing pretty well, so I moved the crate to the floor right next to the bed. She could still hear us breathing and moving so she was content.She still fussed occasionally but I'd tap the top of the crate and she didn't like the sound so she'd stop fussing. She actually did better once she couldn't see me anymore, and we wished we'd moved the crate sooner. She sleeps in her crate with the door open now - when I take her upstairs at night she trots right into the crate and settles down for the night. (She'll be 2 in January). We travel frequently and thanks to the crate we're comfortable taking to her motels and family members' homes with us.
We still get lots of snuggle/cuddle time on the couch while watching TV or reading at night! Good luck to you and Hayley!

[Hayley Annabelle's Mommy]

Thanks for the encouragement. Hayley has had 2-3 "good nights" waking 1-2 times a night. However, she is easily consoled and coaxed back to sleep. Hayley never has disliked her crate. She of course is not thrilled but she will walk into it about 1/2 the time. Any way thanks again.