Late bedtime...need some help please!

[Ivory]

Our new puppy always takes naps during the day... a lot of naps. I know that's natural for puppies to do that but is she sleeping too much? She doesn't go to sleep until 1:00 am at night, even when everyone else is asleep.

Is it because she can't go to sleep b/c she takes so many naps? Should I wake her up during her naps? (It sounds mean to do that!)

Also I don't know what's wrong when she always crys at night, if it's because she misses her brothers and sisters? Or if she's hungry, or if she just wants some attention.


Thanks!

 

[Maxy24]

As long as she is not constantly fatigued I'd say she is fine. Of course you would much rather put some of that sleeping time in at night so you can enjoy her waking time. What time do you go to bed usually? Don't let her nap for two three hours before you go to sleep and if she doses off wake her up and walk her around the yard to get her going again (and to go potty so bring treats). Then about and hour before bed time start waring her out, play ball do some training with her, go for a walk something that will make her want to plunk down when she goes in. Then bring her in, let her get a drink if she wants (if you are in early housebreaking then wait 10 mins and bring her out to potty again if she dank) then put her in her crate for bed.
Don't wake her up through the day at all except for those three hours before bed. It might take a while for her clock to adjust but soon she'll fall asleep on time and you may get more of her during the day.

If she is sleeping so much you are worried then ask the vet about it. Also what are you feeding her? Food is what fuels the body so a good fuel gets an energetic and lively dog. Also what breed is she? Some breeds are far more active than others. If you have a JRT or Border Collie that won't play and sleeps all day then I'd be a little worried.

As far as the crate goes...How old is the pup? A puppy taken away from mom and litter too early will suffer more from missing them. Also how long have you had her? Every dog takes some adjusting to a new home. When she cries ignore her, it's not something you want to be getting up for for the next 15 years every night. If she is too young to hold her bladder through the night then yo will need to set your alarm and get up at some point through the night so that there are no accidents. Only let her out once she quiets down. She should not be hungry but just to make sure I'll need her breed/size, what you are feeding and how many meals and how much she gets. Smaller breed puppies should have a few meals through the day instead of just one (will help energy also).

Now if you just got her or she is too young to be away from mom and sibs then there are some things you can do to comfort her. First is get some hot water bottles and wrap towel around it and place it in the crate with her so she feels like another pup is with her. Also you can take a non-digital clock and put a towel around that so the ticking sounds like another pups heart beat.

Hope this helps, others will probably be along with more help soon.

 

[Ivory]

Breed: Golden Retriever
Age: about 6 weeks ( a little older )
Food: Science Diet Puppy original
My bed time: around 10:30 pm

Thanks, I will try the water bottle and clock thing! She's very energetic when she wakes up, it's just that she sleeps a lot since she is young.. but doesn't want to sleep at night. I'll take your advice and try to get in some playtime before bed!

 

[Maxy24]

Well she is far too young to be away from mom and siblings so that could be one problem. You will need to get up a few times through the night to take her potty. Did you get her from a breeder? If you stick around the forum and read the breeding section you'll learn what makes a good breeder. I never knew before I came here. No worries She'll catch on to her training eventually.

The food is also low quality, look through the food section or add another post there about what foods we recommend. It might have nothing to do with energy but who knows. It is still junk food to me! If you want a good less expensive food then go with Canidae. There are also foods that are very good like Innova, EVO, Orijen, Timber Wolf Organics, and many that I am sure I am forgetting (this is why you should post a thread in the food section, I tend to forget a lot of the good foods ). Anyway, I would definitely switch him to something better.

 

[Ivory]

Okay, I will try lookign for a better food and thanks for all your help! I'll take her out tonight to go potty.

 

[Maxy24]

No problem! you seem like a very good dog parent

 

[Charliesmommy]

Yup - what Maxy said!