Q&A: Puppy temper tantrums?
Question by starsmoak: Puppy temper tantrums?
We have a 5 month old black lab… we’ve had her for 4 months. She’s crate trained and knows quite a few commands. We bought her a new (bigger) crate cause she’s getting bigger. Well, the first week she was fine… but the last two nights she’s started whimpering and whining about 30 minutes after we put her in the crate at bedtime. And she starts again really early in the morning. She didn’t do this before, and she’s been taken out to ‘go’, so there’s no real reason for it. What’s the best way to deal with this? All the puppy training videos/books say to ignore the whining or you’ll just teach them that they get what they want by misbehaving. But we can’t sleep! Help!
She is already fixed. And she’s slept through the night before so I know she can do it. My husband gets up really early for work and takes her out, so we’re not asking her to hold it for too long.
Best answer:
Answer by amysbuttabutta
Black labs are known to be very stubborn. You just have to keep putting your foot down and show her who’s boss.
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Well, you’re right, if you take her out you’ll be teaching her that she gets what she wants by whining.
What I’d try is make sure she gets LOTS of exercise in the evening – a good, long walk, play ball with her, and to keep her mind exercised, do some simple obedience with her. Labs are very intelligent dogs and highly trainable, so keeping her mind active would also help her at this age. Make the lessons short, do several things for a few minutes each, make sure she gets lots of praise and/or treats and both of you have fun. She’ll probably calm down a lot better (at least at night) if she’s tired out mentally and physically.
if the puppy bugs you too much why not try ear plugs?
As hard as it is the best thing is to ignore it.
Makes for many sleepless nights. I know I have a weim who did it.
If you go to them to take them out or what ever when they are whining it teaches them if they whine you will come.
They learn it fast too. And will then whine for what ever they want.
It may just be getting used to the new crate or a stage she is going through. They have some teenage time where you swear that they have lost thier minds and have never been taught anything. They act like wild dogs. It passes.
Stay strong, it’s a mind game now. It will keep crying till it realizes it’s no use, so just try closing doors or something.
HANG IN THERE!
It’ll be worth it.
I don’t understand this whole crate training business. We had many many dogs when I was growing up and never once did we do that with a dog. I’m guessing as she gets older she realizes how confined she really is and does not like it? Sorry I can’t be of more help, I just don’t dig the crate idea. Of course, we never used puppy training books/videos either. Nor puppy school. Only dog we ever had a problem with was a mini dachsund. We just weren’t small dog people.
She probably has a bit of seperation anxiety. Try getting her a big chew toy or rawhide bone to give her at bedtime. a treat filled kong also works. ONLY let her have it in her cage. It will distract her. You also should try putting the cage in a room far enough away that she cannot see or hear you. As for the new cage, the crate for a dog should only be big enough for her to lay down in and turn around comfortably. Dogs like the “den” feeling of the crate. Just keep at it and eventually she will accept the crate.
If you have been getting more than 5 hours of sleep, you have been lucky so far! You have a very good dog!
A rule of thumb is, a dog can “hold it” 1 hour for each month of age, so 5 months, she can wait about 5 hours before needing to relieve herself.
How long do you want the dog to stay in the crate?
Now is a GREAT time to find and enroll in a puppy kindergarten obedience class. Obedience class is the best investment for you and your dog.
And please plan to have her spayed before she is 6 months old
-the Wack Pack
If you go to her or yell at her she is getting what she wants, your attention. She obviously doesn’t want to be in the crate. Can you give her some toys or something to keep her busy.
She should eventually settle down….or you’ll get so used to the whining and be so tired that you will just fall asleep. LOL
Sorry, I’ve been there.
R u sure the crate is big enuf for her to move around freely? Maybe she needs space, have u put in some stuff in her crate which will give her some comfort a good soft quilt perhaps… hmmm have u checked the crate material if it’s biting into ur labradors skin make sure it isn’t irritating her if so then she must obviously feel uncomfortable.
On top of all this have u taken her to the Vet ? maybe something is the problem with her stomach…or some other problem which I guess won’t be a problem if u just give a visit to the Doctor the Vet maybe of some help to u too just look out.
Does she listen to some weird noises or something in the house when the house goes all quite? Dogs r very sharp and they can detect if something is wrong just chk on all the possibilities it may take u 2-3 days to find out exactly wats bothering ur pet but try it ASAP else u guys r in big trouble along with her trouble too. Best luck.