Hi there.. I know i'm one of those new owners that know nothing at all about puppies... I have a 15 week miniature poodle who is doing fantastically.. yes he's trying to chew anything he can and at the moment he's out to see exactly what he can get away with...

The problem is with his crate training... I'm really impressed .. his first night he obviously cried. Since then he's slept from 10 - 6 with no disruption at all.. we go down in the morning let him go potty then food then a play... Yesterday whenever he is put in the crate he's crying constantly. He has been for the last 30 minutes, I've taken him out to see if he needs to go potty but he didn't.

My first opinion is not to give into him but he's constantly crying. Of course if let out then he'll jump about and play.

Any suggestions?

Thanks

Georgina

Is he ok in himself, No upset tum, not been sick at all, no discharge from eyes or nose, Nose not hot or dry, Is his ears clean inside no smell or discharge, Could he be teething? Have you checked inside his mouth is there any loose teeth or any new ones erupting from the gums or any of the gums red? One of mine got really whingy when teething. I take it that as you said hes playing and running about he is bright and alert in himself? Just give him a check over to see if you can find anything above to just make sure he is ok.

If all seems ok healthwise. Has he got anything in the crate to occupy him?
You could try giving him 20 minutes play with a ball or something and let him get rid of a bit of excess energy then see it he will settle then maybe with a chew or toy for a bit then drop off to sleep. An old trick is to put a tee shirt
or old jumper in the crate that you have worn or maybe a large teddy for him to curl up with as long as hes not the sort to rip up and eat fabric. I also wouldnt leave him unattended with a chew either just in case. One good thing if you havent got one already is a stuffed kong they are safe to leave pups with. You just pack them with either special treats and stuff that you can buy with the kong or stuff it with wet puppy food and kibble and they have to work to get the treats or food out. That might be something to keep him occupied in there until he hopefully drops off and it would be safe to leave him with and just keep it for the crate.

Hope this might help.

hi there..

Thanks for the reply.. he's dropped off to sleep... I think you hit it on with the teething as he's been attempting to chew everything today including hands... he has a teething toy which i'm going to make sure he has in wtih him tomorrow.

I'm wondering as well that he does enjoy his walks already we've been on some little ones but with 27" of snow he's struggling in it. Not the best conditions for starting to walk to heel..

He really is a fantastic little lad..I'd already got him out and let him have a play for a bit before putting him back in and the crying resumed. What i did do is shout his name when whining... and then when he went quiet I shouted good boy as I would when praising him.

Fingers crossed...

Is it normal for a puppy his age to be sleeping through the night... consider ourselves very very lucky.

Your very lucky mine used to go down about 11 but wake up as soon as it got light and the birds started tweeting but they were both late spring and summer pups easier for toilet training but they could wake about 4.30 5am!!

If hes teething could be whats taking him time to settle one of mine was really miserable. You can get teething toys that you put in the freezer or fridge so they cool and help with the sore gums. They can get mouthy at this age too and start on your hands but make sure you discourage it straight away even if it doesnt hurt. It can get to be a habit which if they get overexcited in play they can do after teething. So any contact he makes with your hands or skin, one way to do it is make a high pitched yelp, if he was taught bite inhibition when playing in the litter with his mum and litter mates he should let go. Make sure you have a toy or chew handy and redirect any mouthing or chewing onto things you want him to chew. Same with anything you catch him chewing you dont want him too. Just say no firmly and redirect him to something of his own that its acceptable for him to chew on.

Hope this helps, any more problems or anything your worried about just come back on theres always someone here to help you.

One thing I forgot about the snow, Pups dont conserve heat and cant regulate their temperatures like an adult dog so make sure he doesnt spend too long out in the snow. At his age they are still growing so be careful about the amount of exercise he does too. I know hes not a large breed (over exercising a large breed you have to more careful of still) Most say as a rule of thumb 5 mins x how many months in age twice daily so hes what nearly 4months so that would be about 20 mins at a time. However the temperatures are really extreme at the moment so just be careful. Also if hes walking on roads/pavements that have been salted and gritted good idea to wash his feet. The salt and grit can irritate the pads causing them to get sore and even crack and bleed. Especially with pups as their pads and feet are still soft. He could even lick it off and make himself poorly. Also de icer and antifreeze is lethal to dogs. If this weather keeps up like they say might even be worth getting him a coat. Small breeds anyway dont cope like bigger dogs with the cold.

hi there

thanks for the info about the snow.. tbh its got so extreme that it comes upto his head that his play time is indoors for now and i'm practicing the walking with lead and going opposite directions .

I feel like the worst owner ever! You never guess ... I forgot to give him his tea! My hubby was going off to work at 5, his tea time, i felt terrible.. needless to say... fed and went off to sleep ..

But glad i joined the site anyway.

Thanks

Georgina

Even with the rotten weather theres still lots you can do. You can even start learning him a few basic things like sit stay etc indoors. Its good to start at this age their little brains are like sponges and they are usually eager to please so it sets a good foundation for learning. If you want any ideas just ask. Glad you think the forums of help and that your glad you joined.

He's fantastic. Does sit shakes hand , down. Trying with theist and leave. He'sjustshowing us that he likes doing what he wants to do unless we have food lol