7 week puppy sleeping all night?

chriscude · #1 30th April 2012, 09:19 AM

Our puppy is 7 weeks old today. I have been getting up with her 2-3 times a night and getting her out of her crate to bring her out and back in. I thought this was normal.

A friend got a litter mate (a male, mine is female) and she says her dog sleeps fro 10-6 every night.

Am I doing something wrong or are they just all different?

Any time she whimpers and starts waking up I bring her out and she always potties. I don't want her to mess in her crate but also don't want to be allowing bad habits to form (which is what hubby thinks I'm doing)

Thanks in advance!!

srennie · #2 30th April 2012, 09:46 AM

7 weeks is a very young pup...how long have you had her? In some states it is illegal to removed pups from their momma and litter until they are 8 weeks old. You will want to start doing research now on teaching her bite inhibition which is what she should have been left with her siblings to learn but since she was removed so young you will have the job of teaching her.

For the night time potty breaks you will need to do what works for you and for her. It coudl be she wakes just because she is alone and knowing you are right there by her will help soothe her back to sleep. If a little reassurance doesn't quiet her then take her out to potty. Over time you should be able to eliminate a potty trip by stretching out the time between them. Putting the crate on a nightstand right by your bed may help her sleep more hours at a time and if she wakes you can just put your hand up to the crate and see if she can fall back asleep.

chriscude · #3 30th April 2012, 10:20 AM

We got her from a friend. The mother was losing a lot of weight and was trying to keep the puppies from nursing, so we got her a week ago. I know this is not the norm.

I have her next to the bed but on the floor. Maybe I'll try on the night stand. Whenever I try to sooth her through the crate she seems to get upset wanting me to take her out, and if I open the door to put my hand in she tries to come out. But, maybe if she could just see me it would be a little better. Thanks; I'll try and see if I can stretch that out a bit. It's like having a human baby (and my babies slept with me and nursed on demand so I'm not very good at hearing crying LOL)

I do let her cry if I know that her tummy is full and she has just gone to the bathroom. When she first goes in she fusses for about 15 minutes or so.

chriscude · #4 30th April 2012, 10:29 AM

We have another dog here at home that will hopefully help her with the bite inhibition also. I am working every day with her letting her know how hard is too hard and turning my back to "lick my wounds" (ignore her) if she bites too hard.

Gatorblu · #5 30th April 2012, 10:50 AM

I've never had a puppy hold it all night. I've always gotten up and taken them out and every vet I had told me that was best, and makes for easier house breaking. I think you friend is missing something or not telling the whole story and leaving pads down for their pup. Or maybe not giving it water freely. Puppies shouldn't hold it for more than 4 hours at that age. You keep doing what you are doing.

chriscude · #6 30th April 2012, 11:26 AM

Thank you!! I feel like as a "puppy mom" that is right. .. I'll keep following my instincts.

Also, my "friend" sometimes likes to brag a little, so you're right, I might be missing something. We are supposed to take the same puppy training class and I have my hesitations about that also LOL

I already feel bad for having taken her away from her mommy too soon. I hope that we can make up for that by spending plenty of time with her and having her interact with our other dog. Now that I have her I've read a lot of bad things about having a puppy too young. There's no turning back now so we just will keep doing our very best.

I'll be here for lots of advice!

Independence · #7 1st May 2012, 05:58 AM

Our last boxer Indy slept thru the night from the first night we brought him home at 9 weeks old. I would get up and have to WAKE him up to potty or he would just sleep thru the night. I know it's not good for a puppy to hold it for more than 4 hours so I would set my alarm. He was also very easy to potty train. I got my payback with this one. Bode is 2 and he still doesn't sleep thru the night. He doesn't need to potty now but he gets up and wanders, sleeps on the floor a while then gets back in bed.

chriscude · #8 1st May 2012, 02:20 PM

She slept 11-6 last night. My son then woke me up at 4am because he had peed his bed. Can't win! LOL

LILYLARUE · #9 2nd May 2012, 07:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chriscude

She slept 11-6 last night. My son then woke me up at 4am because he had peed his bed. Can't win! LOL

LOL Just when you thought you'd beat the dog! Of course the kids would start another battle. LOL

JLinz · #10 2nd May 2012, 11:35 AM

put the crate in ur room that tends to calm them down...

chriscude · #11 2nd May 2012, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JLinz

put the crate in ur room that tends to calm them down...

We have done that the last few nights and it definitely helps!!

rxygirl · #12 27th May 2012, 07:34 PM

Roxy (my white boxer) did the same thing when we first brought her home at 7 and a half weeks..she woke us up a few times a night for the first week or two..then as she started getting used to being crated (she was from a farm family), she doesnt make a peep..although she still isnt fond of going in her crate, she hardly barks and cries anymore..

So I would say its normal...I thought it was going to last forever lol..or that she was having separation anxiety..but I think she is fine now..no pottying in her crate or crying..she knows its bedtime and time to nap..she is now 11 and a half weeks..