8wks old and constantly screaming in apt!!

Ironside · 11-07-2011, 06:37 AM

I got my boy Church from a breeder just two days ago. He's 8wks old and seems well adjusted in my large apartment. The only problem is he won't be by himself!

If I leave the room, he'll follow after me. He's literally at my feet all day. I left the apartment to take out the trash and my roomate said he started SCREAMING! I figured it was just a dramatic whimper, but its awful!

I work nights, 1am-8am, which means Church will be in a crate from those times (because I can't keep taking him to work like I have been so he doesnt wake our neighbors) but he makes the most awful noises!

We're up on the second floor and our walls aren't that thick. He screams and cries the loudest he can. It sounds like we're beating the daylights out of the poor boy...

I don't know what to do. We just moved in a couple weeks ago, and I don't want to piss off the neighbors or have to get rid of Church.

I love the little white ball of fluff but he's just so LOUD and panics when I leave the room! I don't know what to do!

sharkey19 · 11-07-2011, 06:48 AM

Unfortunately that is what puppies do and something you probably should have considered. You can imagine how it must be for them considering they were never alone in their life, and now they are alone and away from mom and the rest of their siblings.

You should try getting him used to being alone and in his crate while you are at home. Put him in his crate and let him cry. As soon as he goes quiet, go in and reward with some treats and attention for being quiet. Don't go in when he is screaming because that will just reinforce the behaviour. Also, avoid feeding from a bowl. Instead, get some kongs and put all his food in those. Give those to him while he is in his crate, don't feed him otherwise (except for training other behaviours).

There is no quick fix really. Its one of the parts of getting a puppy. You can look into Dog Appeasing Pheromone, but I don't know how effective that really is.

Also 1am-8am is a very long time to leave him, as they definitely cannot hold their bladders that long.

Kittilicious · 11-07-2011, 07:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sharkey19

Also 1am-8am is a very long time to leave him, as they definitely cannot hold their bladders that long.

Yes they can. They shouldn't have to, but they can.

As far as the screaming, I like Sharkey's idea. Alone in a room is a start

**Samba** · 11-07-2011, 07:42 AM

It is a long time for a puppy to not go out to the bathroom. Most puppies can not wait that long. Generally, a two month old pup can be expected to hold it about three hours before needing to relieve itself.

Puppies can be screamie when left alone, it is distressing for them.

I am not sure what advice to give. I have no experience raising a pup and leaving them alone for that amount of time. I don't know how working families do it. It is so much like having a baby in that they need frequent care and attention.

robk · 11-07-2011, 08:29 AM

I can imagine that it would be tough to have an 8 month old GS puppy in an apartment. My friend did this same thing and went home about every three hours to let the pup out. It has worked out fine but they were really nervous about the crying and disturbing the neighbors. The said that none of the neighbors ever complained (to them).

BR870 · 11-07-2011, 08:32 AM

As stated it is just what puppies do. The way you get them over it is the same way you get a child over crying at night...

...you let them cry it out

Unfortunately, this requires having everyone within earshot on board. It takes a week or two. They can and will cry for hours. But once they realize that crying will not get them attention, they will learn to settle down and sleep.

This is a major problem in an apartment, as your neighbors almost certainly WILL NOT be on board at 3AM in the morning.

I know this isn't helpful, but these are things you have to consider before getting a puppy.

Puppies can be loud and demanding, and when you share space it can be a source of conflict. Heck. even my wife and I would fight over puppy stuff, and we were totally on the same page...

Micky · 11-07-2011, 11:07 AM

the best advice I can give you try to crate for small amounts of time when you at home, the other thing which might help put a t-shirt with your smell in the crate, that helped Stella, I do know that at 8 weeks it is a long time for a puppy to be not able to go so expect some accidents anyhow gl

**JeanKBBMMMAAN** · 11-07-2011, 11:09 AM

I notice you say we and I am wondering if there is another person who can have him sleep in the same room, take him out once?

WhiteWolfBeauty · 11-08-2011, 11:30 AM

It only took my girl 4 days to stop crying and sleep for the majority of the night. The first 2 nights I kept her crate in the bedroom and the next two I put her out in the living room. She eventually understood that crying didnt get her anywhere and stopped.

It takes time, just DON'T give into him when hes crying. Set your alarm clock to take him for a pee every 2-3 hours or so, other than that ignore him at night.

Trust me, it gets better.

Also, treat him for going in the crate during the day. Get him to love his crate. My girl will hop right in with the right motivation and she KEEPS quiet.

I've also found that putting a blanket on top on her crate so she cant see me (when I need her crated and quite during the day) works wonders. If she's whining for me and I'm on the phone I'll just block her view of me and she cuts it out.

11-07-2011, 06:37 AM	#1 (permalink)
Ironside New Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 6	8wks old and constantly screaming in apt!! I got my boy Church from a breeder just two days ago. He's 8wks old and seems well adjusted in my large apartment. The only problem is he won't be by himself! If I leave the room, he'll follow after me. He's literally at my feet all day. I left the apartment to take out the trash and my roomate said he started SCREAMING! I figured it was just a dramatic whimper, but its awful! I work nights, 1am-8am, which means Church will be in a crate from those times (because I can't keep taking him to work like I have been so he doesnt wake our neighbors) but he makes the most awful noises! We're up on the second floor and our walls aren't that thick. He screams and cries the loudest he can. It sounds like we're beating the daylights out of the poor boy... I don't know what to do. We just moved in a couple weeks ago, and I don't want to piss off the neighbors or have to get rid of Church. I love the little white ball of fluff but he's just so LOUD and panics when I leave the room! I don't know what to do!

11-07-2011, 08:32 AM	#6 (permalink)
BR870 Master Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Baton Rouge, LA Posts: 828	As stated it is just what puppies do. The way you get them over it is the same way you get a child over crying at night... ...you let them cry it out Unfortunately, this requires having everyone within earshot on board. It takes a week or two. They can and will cry for hours. But once they realize that crying will not get them attention, they will learn to settle down and sleep. This is a major problem in an apartment, as your neighbors almost certainly WILL NOT be on board at 3AM in the morning. I know this isn't helpful, but these are things you have to consider before getting a puppy. Puppies can be loud and demanding, and when you share space it can be a source of conflict. Heck. even my wife and I would fight over puppy stuff, and we were totally on the same page... __________________ Rob Ezra von der Rennbahn Princess Abigail "Abbie" Kai (RIP) Loki (RIP)

11-07-2011, 11:09 AM	#8 (permalink)
JeanKBBMMMAAN The Rescues Rule Administrator Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 20,697	I notice you say we and I am wondering if there is another person who can have him sleep in the same room, take him out once? __________________ Help IMOM help Pets www.imom.org You can help Anna help IMOM help people help pets help people win...

11-07-2011, 06:48 AM	#2 (permalink)
sharkey19 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Guelph Posts: 321	Unfortunately that is what puppies do and something you probably should have considered. You can imagine how it must be for them considering they were never alone in their life, and now they are alone and away from mom and the rest of their siblings. You should try getting him used to being alone and in his crate while you are at home. Put him in his crate and let him cry. As soon as he goes quiet, go in and reward with some treats and attention for being quiet. Don't go in when he is screaming because that will just reinforce the behaviour. Also, avoid feeding from a bowl. Instead, get some kongs and put all his food in those. Give those to him while he is in his crate, don't feed him otherwise (except for training other behaviours). There is no quick fix really. Its one of the parts of getting a puppy. You can look into Dog Appeasing Pheromone, but I don't know how effective that really is. Also 1am-8am is a very long time to leave him, as they definitely cannot hold their bladders that long.

11-07-2011, 07:42 AM	#4 (permalink)
Samba Administrator Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: USA Posts: 6,449	It is a long time for a puppy to not go out to the bathroom. Most puppies can not wait that long. Generally, a two month old pup can be expected to hold it about three hours before needing to relieve itself. Puppies can be screamie when left alone, it is distressing for them. I am not sure what advice to give. I have no experience raising a pup and leaving them alone for that amount of time. I don't know how working families do it. It is so much like having a baby in that they need frequent care and attention.

11-07-2011, 08:29 AM	#5 (permalink)
robk Master Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Fayetteville, NC Posts: 572	I can imagine that it would be tough to have an 8 month old GS puppy in an apartment. My friend did this same thing and went home about every three hours to let the pup out. It has worked out fine but they were really nervous about the crying and disturbing the neighbors. The said that none of the neighbors ever complained (to them).

11-07-2011, 11:07 AM	#7 (permalink)
Micky Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Germany Posts: 262	the best advice I can give you try to crate for small amounts of time when you at home, the other thing which might help put a t-shirt with your smell in the crate, that helped Stella, I do know that at 8 weeks it is a long time for a puppy to be not able to go so expect some accidents anyhow gl

11-08-2011, 11:30 AM	#9 (permalink)
WhiteWolfBeauty Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 89	It only took my girl 4 days to stop crying and sleep for the majority of the night. The first 2 nights I kept her crate in the bedroom and the next two I put her out in the living room. She eventually understood that crying didnt get her anywhere and stopped. It takes time, just DON'T give into him when hes crying. Set your alarm clock to take him for a pee every 2-3 hours or so, other than that ignore him at night. Trust me, it gets better. Also, treat him for going in the crate during the day. Get him to love his crate. My girl will hop right in with the right motivation and she KEEPS quiet. I've also found that putting a blanket on top on her crate so she cant see me (when I need her crated and quite during the day) works wonders. If she's whining for me and I'm on the phone I'll just block her view of me and she cuts it out.

Remove Advertisements Sponsored Links
German Shepherd Advertisement