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Canine Behavior/Puppy bedtime

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Expert: - 2/5/2012


Question
Hi, we have just recently gotten a puppy who is a couple of months old now, and we have started putting his bed in the laundry room and shutting him in there at night. However he really hates it, and will constantly cry and bark and scratch at the door, which we just ignore. How can I get him to calm down? Thanks for your time

Answer
Eight weeks is a neonate.  He is anxious and lonely and he is being isolated.  This is not the way to build trust or a good lifelong relationship.

If you have room in your bedroom, buy a playpen (a real one).  Put newspaper in one corner (NOT to paper train, but this puppy CANNOT control his urination or defecation yet, not at that age, so the alternative is to get up during the night and take him out, just as you would get up to change a baby's diapers, for at least three to four weeks), a soft blanket in the other.  If you don't have room for a playpen, purchase a wire crate and leave the top off (unless the puppy is very large breed that can climb out.)  He may object to being confined but if ignored that will soon stop.  Or you can purchase a puppy playpen:
http://www.petsbycsn.com/Midwest-Pets-100-15-MDW1031.html

A heartbeat pillow is also available:
http://www.amazon.com/Petstages-110-Heartbeat-Pillow/dp/B001FK61IY/ref=pd_rhf_sh

Study puppy development: your window of opportunity to socialize this puppy closes at 14 weeks so he must be introduced to all comers, other dogs (if vaccinations are up to date, ask the vet), cats, and especially children and elderly.  A site where you can learn about puppy development:

http://www.nwk9.com/dehasse_pupdev.htm

And Dr. Ian Dunbar's Sirius Puppy Training site:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_wBHZtwY7A&feature=related

Canine Behavior

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Jill Connor, Ph.D.

Expertise

I have spent my entire professional life rehabilitating the behavior of the domestic dog and I can answer any question regarding any behavior problem in any breed dog. If you are a caring, committed owner and need advice, I'm here for you. THERE ARE NO QUICK FIXES for serious behavioral issues; not only is it unprofessional to offer same, it is also unethical. IF I ASK YOU SUBSEQUENT QUESTIONS, I NEED YOU TO INTERACT WITH ME. More information equals more credible answers and a more successful outcome. If you want ANSWERS THAT WORK, participate in any way I request. I'm quite committed to working on this site for YOUR benefit and the benefit of YOUR DOG. Help me in any way you can.

Experience

30 years of solving serious behavior problems in domestic dogs; expert in dog to human aggression; Internet columnist for ThePetChannel.com for 5 years; former radio talk show host, WHPC.FM, Garden City, NY "Bite Back" (1995 through 2000). List owner, international animal behavior experts, K9Shrinks@egroups.com. Seminar leader: "Operant Conditioning and Learning"; "Aggression in The Domestic Dog"; "Solving Problem Behaviors" -- conducted for various training facilities on Long Island from 1993 through 2000. Former clinical director of "Behavioral Abnormalities" in conjunction with Mark Beckerman, DVM, Hempstead, New York.

Organizations
Member, APDT (UK); Psychologists in Ethical Treatment with Animals

Publications
Harcourt Brace Learning Direct: "The Business of Dog Training" "The Fail Safe Dog: Brain Training, not Pain Training"

Education/Credentials
Ph.D., UC Berkeley

Past/Present Clients
Board of Directors: Northeast Dog Rescue Connection; The Dog Project; Sav-A-Dog Foundation; etc. Pro Bono counselor: Little Shelter Humane Society My practice is presently limited to forensics. I diagnose cause of dog bite, based upon testimony before the Court, for attorneys and insurance companies litigating dog bites, including fatal injuries. I also do pro bono work for bona fide rescue organizations, humane societies, et al, regarding such analysis in an effort to obtain release for dogs being held for death in municipal shelters in the US.

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