We had a setback!

[Jennie]

Last night was a very long one for Baxter and me! We went to sleep at 10:30 (he actually fell asleep a little earlier and I thought I better get my sleep while I could). We got up at 3:00 to potty. After that, he thought it was play time, and I didn't want to put him back in the laundry basket (he can climb out now). So, I put him in the gated bathroom which had worked the night before. Not so this time. He cried from 3:00 to 6:00. I don't think he quieted down at all. I really thought he would cry himself to exhaustion, but apparently not! I got up at 6:00, and he had destroyed all of his papers.

I was really strong, and did not go in while he was crying. I knew nothing was wrong, and that he just wanted me. Should I have left him alone like I did, or should I have brought him back in to try the sleep thing? I'm relatively certain he would not have stayed in the basket, but I could have gotten him to sleep by holding on to him. But, don't want to train him this. He's still not crating, so this wasn't an option.

I THINK I did the right thing, but need a little reassurance, I guess. If I did, how many nights is he likely to do this before he gives up? Thanks!

[maryanne]

I think you're doing the right thing. You decide what the rules are. If he doesn't learn what he's supposed to do now you'll have problems in the future.
López will be 2 in June and for some months now we have been noticing how well he behaves as compared to when he was a puppy. It's so rewarding to see that the "bad" times pay off in the end. It's tough when they cry, or LOOK at you (I used to be afraid that López would love my boyfriend more because he often gives in to him, but he seems to be crazy about both of us the same- although he behaves better with me!), but if you give in you're lost!
I don't know how many nights they can keep up the crying. López didn't use to cry, but he was already 3 1/2 months when we got him.