Hey, I'm new to this forum, so hi =) My name is Lucia, and I recently acquired a german shepherd puppy. I got him when he was 6 and sthg weeks old. The breeder (who I now see is a SOB) told me it was OK to have him at that age...his brothers&sisters were sold at 5, and he didn't have his parents with him. I didn't know much at the time, but I had done some research on general things; basically...everything but the suitable age to take him home.
Past this...he's been an angel for the past 2 weeks, except for the crying. He's been potty trained, and so far, so good...he does drink A LOT of water, and, thus, he has to pee quite often. When he cries at night, I take him out IF he has to pee. If it's whining for whining's sakes, he gets nothing. At times I can't sleep because of it, so he gets some pats and then back to sleep.
The thing is the following...I bought him a crate like this one
http://centropet.com/centropet/images/barnhome3.gif
It's designed for a full-grown german shepherd, so it suits him ok. All his toys are there, plus 2 pillows. Thing is, when night comes, we have to put him there...and if we leave the room, he starts screaming to the point in which we can't even think. Needless to say, he's a pup (his name is Hamlet, btw :blush. I know he has his needs and was taken away too soon...but I didn't know at the time and I can't change that. Is there any way in which I can train him? Something I can do to stop him from crying? I mean, we spend ALL day with him, someone is always around...but the minute we leave, puppy cries. I don't want him to suffer from SA, I've read about it and I know it's serious.
Just FYO, this is my first dog...and I already got insulting answers when I asked on other forums, which isn't what I'm aiming for...I really want this puppy to grow up ok, and I want the best thing for him. I don't know what to do...vet told me he's too young to train, and I've tried everything I've seen on the web. Help, please?
Thanks
Lucia
Past this...he's been an angel for the past 2 weeks, except for the crying. He's been potty trained, and so far, so good...he does drink A LOT of water, and, thus, he has to pee quite often. When he cries at night, I take him out IF he has to pee. If it's whining for whining's sakes, he gets nothing. At times I can't sleep because of it, so he gets some pats and then back to sleep.
The thing is the following...I bought him a crate like this one
http://centropet.com/centropet/images/barnhome3.gif
It's designed for a full-grown german shepherd, so it suits him ok. All his toys are there, plus 2 pillows. Thing is, when night comes, we have to put him there...and if we leave the room, he starts screaming to the point in which we can't even think. Needless to say, he's a pup (his name is Hamlet, btw :blush. I know he has his needs and was taken away too soon...but I didn't know at the time and I can't change that. Is there any way in which I can train him? Something I can do to stop him from crying? I mean, we spend ALL day with him, someone is always around...but the minute we leave, puppy cries. I don't want him to suffer from SA, I've read about it and I know it's serious.
Just FYO, this is my first dog...and I already got insulting answers when I asked on other forums, which isn't what I'm aiming for...I really want this puppy to grow up ok, and I want the best thing for him. I don't know what to do...vet told me he's too young to train, and I've tried everything I've seen on the web. Help, please?
Thanks
Lucia