9 week old puppy barking at nite

by Louise
(Canada)

Good afternoon, I have a 9 week old maltipoo. He is just great. However at nite, we get up at 4am to take him outside to do his business and when its time to put him back in his crate, we cuddle him a bit, then it's dodo time, but refuses to sleep, he just cries, barks until he falls asleep, which can take anywhere from 20 mins to 1hr of constant barking and crying.

We refuse to return to him, in fear of letting him "win us over"...so we just ignore him. Any suggestions out there???

Thanks,

Louise.




Hi Louise
Actually, you're already doing exactly the right thing :o)

Ignoring his fussing will eventually mean he winds down more quickly and then stops crying altogether. If you were to go back to him, it would just make him more determined and increase his complaining.

Just continue with your current tactics and he will soon be going back to sleep, and eventually sleeping through the night. I do have one small suggestion though, and that is that you don't engage in any cuddling or interaction at that 4am potty break. It's 'business only' at that time of night. If he finds that there really is no incentive for him to be waking you up (ie cuddles and lovin') he will sleep through that much sooner.

Best of luck with your pup.