Screeching in the crate

[Danni and Freya]

Hi everyone, as you know I brought Harvey home on monday. He's hard work as is to be expected but the only thing really getting me down is bedtime. He screams like nothing I have ever heard before for upto 90 minutes before he gives up and settles down. This wouldn't worry me overly because I know you just have to ignore it and he will slowly get better, but I live in a flat and I know he is disturbing the upstairs neighbours  (they aren't friendly).
I've done everything to help him feel comfortable, darkened one end, couple of teddies in with the blankets, rag that smells like his old litter, a couple of treats everytime he goes in. I just wonder if i'm doing everything right? Is there something missing or do I just have to plug my ears and persevere? Freya was already used to a crate and weaned from her mum when she came home, and needless to say she was nothing like this. I think thats part of it? He was still having mums milk and living with her right up to coming home and so hes missing her aswell?
Any ideas or tips would be very appreciated by me and the neighbours 

[JaspersMum]

Have you tried playing music.  I'm hearing good things about the Canine Lullaby music which is basically nursery rhymes with a heart beat in the background.  The idea is you set the CD to play on repeat and have it playing through the night or when ever needed.

PM me if you want details of where to get them in the UK 

[Danni and Freya]

I have been playing the radio in the background so it sounds like people are talking but thats an interesting idea, i'm willing to try anything 

[Sheepscheeks]

A Dap diffuser may help? It's like a plug in air freshener but releases pheromones similar to those of a lactating bitch. Another alternative is to have the crate in your room for a while and slowly move it out to where you want it. Others on here have had crate in their living room and slept on the sofa for a few nights. Undoubtedly he is really missing his mum if he was still feeding from her - I'm a bit surprised he wasn't weaned fully before being homed?? I'm no expert, though? Good luck, I worry that Freddie's barking in the morning wakes the neighbours and we are in a detached house!!

[Danni and Freya]

Lol yeah I was in PAH yesterday looking at the DAP diffusers. He is currently at the food of my bed in the crate and Freyas on the bed with me (as she has been for a while now). I think I will have another look into the DAP diffuser as this was one of my first thoughts too. Thanks 

[Mel]

I had used DAP with Keli with half success when he used to batk at two care workers. However it has not helped Tali in any way so didn't waste more money, be prepared for that too. I'm afraid also being in a flat I gave in and the first few nights he slept on my bed and now has his own bed which he uses along with the floor for sleeping. Each dog is different but use your discretion. If the crate is causing more hassle at bedtime, it may be worth looking at alternatives.

[Jane S]

Undoubtedly he is really missing his mum if he was still feeding from her - I'm a bit surprised he wasn't weaned fully before being homed?? I'm no expert, though? Good luck, I worry that Freddie's barking in the morning wakes the neighbours and we are in a detached house!!

It's not unusual for canine Mums to continue giving their offspring the occasional "top up" even when pups are fully weaned (ie getting their meals supplied by breeder) - many of our girls have done this and also spend time playing with their pups up right until the time they leave. It would be more unusual for home breeders to completely separate pups from Mum and not allow any further contact after weaning - not something we would ever do anyway.

[stephremon]

I had this with Poppy for the first couple of nights. Then  I changed all her bedding, gave her a bath to get rid of any smell of previous litter and put a tshirt that I had worn in the cage with her, had a good play, last wee then bed. Covered her up, left classic fm on and that was it. Haven't had a sleepless night since.

I got this tip from my mum about the bathing... they continue to look for a litter/mum that isn't there and this gets frustrating for them. Get rid of all the smells of them.

Might just be a coincidence, but it has worked for my mum's last 3pups and definitely worked with Poppy.

Hope this helps xxx

[Danni and Freya]

I had this with Poppy for the first couple of nights. Then  I changed all her bedding, gave her a bath to get rid of any smell of previous litter and put a tshirt that I had worn in the cage with her, had a good play, last wee then bed. Covered her up, left classic fm on and that was it. Haven't had a sleepless night since.

I got this tip from my mum about the bathing... they continue to look for a litter/mum that isn't there and this gets frustrating for them. Get rid of all the smells of them.

Might just be a coincidence, but it has worked for my mum's last 3pups and definitely worked with Poppy.

Hope this helps xxx

Wow thats a new one to me but it does seem to make sense, I will do this too! Got a DAP diffuser coming too, so theres a couple of things I can pin a little hope on. Thanks everyone as ever for your friendly advice xx

[Sheepscheeks]

Undoubtedly he is really missing his mum if he was still feeding from her - I'm a bit surprised he wasn't weaned fully before being homed?? I'm no expert, though? Good luck, I worry that Freddie's barking in the morning wakes the neighbours and we are in a detached house!!

It's not unusual for canine Mums to continue giving their offspring the occasional "top up" even when pups are fully weaned (ie getting their meals supplied by breeder) - many of our girls have done this and also spend time playing with their pups up right until the time they leave. It would be more unusual for home breeders to completely separate pups from Mum and not allow any further contact after weaning - not something we would ever do anyway.

Oh I see. I think Freddie's breeder was keeping pups and mum apart but can't be 100% sure. He did bark for about the first week but since then has gone to bed in his crate in the kitchen on his own with no problem.

[mooching]

Are you leaving the crate open during the day, so that he can go in and out as he wants to? You can always leave one or two treats in there when it's empty, to tempt him to pop in himself.

Also, are you leaving the crate in one place or moving it around?

[irened]

i used the dap plus had radio on and the blanket that was put in his crate I had sat on that evening. he now sleeps all night in fact now gets into the crate when he sees me do the normal night routine ie lock doors pull down blind etc

[Danni and Freya]

Are you leaving the crate open during the day, so that he can go in and out as he wants to? You can always leave one or two treats in there when it's empty, to tempt him to pop in himself.

Also, are you leaving the crate in one place or moving it around?

Its in the lounge with the door open in the day then I take it to the foot of my bed for night time. Is that something I should try not to do?

[Danni and Freya]

Ok the chuster has had his bath, blankets washed and old rag binned. Am hoping this will help, along with a worn shirt. I am so worried about the neighbours, i've got to crack this 

[Bebbz]

I put Milo's cage at the side of my bed and if he cried put my hand down so he could smell and feel me, he slept fine and is now sleeping in his cage away from me quite happily. Must confess though that for the first few nights he cuddled up with me until he was used to his crate.