Puppy not sleeping much! Me either!!

[Siamas]

Well Seamus is finally here! He came home yesterday and he's been absolutely wonderful! Eating good, playing great, and the potty training is awesome so far, only one pee-pee accident early this a.m. He's 5 weeks and 2 days old.

I just cannot get him to sleep longer than 30 minutes to an hour. I have him in a crate with chewy toys, a very soft bed, a nice big stuffed bear for him to cuddle against. When I tell him "bed" I put him in front of the cage and he goes right in lays down to sleep then 30 minutes to 1/2 hour later he's up. Sometimes crying but mostly just chewing on the door wanting out to play.

When I take him out we go right outside and he always does his thing. We play like crazy then come back inside. I put a clock on the top of the cage, and have the cage covered with a nice thin blanket to keep it denlike.

Any ideas?? I thought puppies slept longer then this!! I would love him to sleep for even just 2 hours.

Tricia

[Knye2001]

Good question. I've always gotten my puppies at about 8 1/2 weeks. Do you have the cage in your room next to your bed? If you do, you could try putting your hand down next to the cage to reassure him that he's not alone (many people have mentioned that this has worked for them). Boxers are such people dogs that covering his cage might be working against you. I'd let him be able to look all around his cage. Also, if you can stand it, I'd try putting a little soothing music on (talk shows tend to work nicely) to help him calm down. That's about it. Apollo was a monster when we got him (howling - which of course made me laugh and hubby mad) but I don't remember it being too bad. It will take a few weeks to get him better.

I wish you all the luck in getting some sleep. Poor baby. Hopefully he gets better at potty training and can start to hold it that maybe you can put him in bed with you. We did this with Tiger when he was tiny, but had to change the sheets a few times!!

[Scrapper's Mom]

Have you tried the old "alarm clock" thing, and the hot water bottle wrapped in a towel for the puppy to curl up against. You need an old-fashioned wind up alarm clock that makes a loud ticking sound. It doesn't even need to be in the crate, just where the puppy can hear it.

I have used these items with every puppy we've brought home and they seem to find comfort in the sound of the clock and the warmth of the hot water bottle, especially at night. Also, you might try covering up the crate with a blanket or throw so only the front side is uncovered; it makes it seem more like a den to the puppy so it feels more secure.

Good luck. The first week is the hardest.

[Nutty 4 Boxers]

You are doing the right things. However, you didn't mention this, but in case it's not, move the crate as close to your bed as possible and when he starts his crying then put your hand down on the side where he can lick and smell you, and tell him to go to bed. Or whatever words you use. That is what we have done with Jersey and she now is fine with her crate and she has only been here for three weeks now. Congrats on your new addition. I wish you all the luck in the world.

Hugs and Boxer Kisses from my bunch!

[Scrapper's Mom]

It's my understanding that most puppies aren't even allowed to leave their mothers until they are at least 6 or 7 weeks old, so you have to be somewhat more patient with this little guy. He is probably still missing his littermates also, so I think the suggestion that you have the crate near you (or someone near the crate) is a good one as well. My son slept on the couch next to the crate with Scrapper when we first brought him home. He had to get Scrapper out of the crate and hold him a couple of times until he went to sleep when he starting crying those first nights.

Sorry I misread your first post - I see you already have the crate covered and are using the clock. Try the hot water bottle too. Good luck with your new baby!