First off, let me say that I am in love with my dog! He's so tiny and so cute and warmed up to us really quickly. I feel bad though, because he whines when I'm not in the same room as him and whenever I'm around, has to stand right on my feet so I won't leave him. This is something having to do with him being uprooted from his family and is probably sort of in shock. I would be too if someone bigger than me took me away from my home.But he was a really good boy all day yesterday! On the drive home he cuddled up with me and slept part of the way or licked me the other part. The entire hour drive he did not once get car sick or cry.
When we made it home he passed out and napped for a bit, but I didn't want him using up all his sleep in the day instead of at night. So I coaxed him out to play a little later and the little guy wouldn't stop! Woodstock was 2-for-2 when he ran halfway across the room to use the puppy pad several times to relieve himself! So I know that he's paper trained at least, but I can't for the life of me get him to go outside. This morning as soon as I woke up I took him and for 10 minutes he did nothing but run around and play, or lay down in the dirt. As soon as we came back inside, he went on his pad.
But the biggest struggle, and this will come with time, was sleeping. He won't sleep in his bed. He cries when I'm in my bed and he's on the floor. I tried to let him cry it out, but it kept getting louder and louder. Everything I've read says to let the dog cry because he'll learn soon enough that he has to sleep on the floor. If you pick him up, he'll come to expect it. So I would let him snuggle with me for 15 minutes until he got sleepy, then I put him in his own bed. That would last for about 45 minutes before the cycle repeated itself.
But I had to work this morning and I was up until 4:30 a.m. and decided f-it, I needed to sleep. So I let him in bed for about two hours. I'm thinking about keeping his bed in the bathroom tonight and ignoring the cries this time (I know crates are an option, but they're $100+ everywhere I've looked! I don't know if that's worth it for the few weeks/months of training).
My other problem is that he won't eat. I thought maybe the bowl was too big for him, but that's not the case. He won't take treats (reward for going on the puppy pad) and he won't eat crushed up food. I'm hoping this, too, is due to anxiety/nervousness about the move and that in a few days he'll be back to eating again. Today's Woodstock's first vet trip, so wish me luck!
Is it nap time yet...?
2 comments:
I'll keep my tips to myself, as I have many, but I will tell you that crate training is meant to be for life. You train for a few months but that place is supposed to be their den - where they feel safe. That way if you travel with him he won't freak out because he has his bed with him.
All other advice will be held under my tongue unless asked, I promise. I just did way too much freaking research and it really helped when we got Charlie home. So glad your little man is finally here!
one tip to help him sleep is to put a clock in the room with him. the ticking is supposed to remind him of mom's heartbeat and make him not feel so alone. it worked for us at least. good luck with sleep and good luck getting him to eat!
Post a Comment