Tiring her out

[newcorgiowner]

Any suggestions on tiring out Gizmo to help her sleep through the night? The breeder recommended keeping her awake for a few hours before we go to bed but this is much easier said then done. When Gizmo is tired she goes to sleep (and I can more then understand this, I would too) and doesn't want to play. We try taking her out to walk through the field but its hard because she kind of just lays down in the grass and goes to sleep.

If we're in bed watching TV she falls asleep whenever we take out attention off her for a minute or two. Anyone do this (keep their pup awake before bed time so they sleep better) and if so how do you do it?

At this point I am second guessing everything the breeder told us, so I should ask if this is even a good idea to begin with. I read somewhere that you should just let them whine sometimes untl they go back to sleep or entertain themselves, but this is hard. We have really irritable neihbors in our apartment and I don't want to piss them off too much.

[darci]

It will most likely be several weeks before your pup will sleep through the night. They usually will need a potty break by 3 or 4 am. Thankfully this doesnt last long and they will soon start sleeping through the night.

Do you use a crate ?

[CorgiMum]

Correct me if I am wrong, but I understand that a puppy needs sleep as a critical part of their physical growth.

Anyone know the ratio?

[Fluffypants]

I am lucky, I guess. Jackie has been spending the whole night in her crate without a peep since the day we brought her home. She's a genius!

I always let her sleep when she felt she needed it. My opinion was that nature knew better than I did. If she was sleeping, it must have been for a good reason. (but what do I know? . . . not much, according to Jackie!)

[corgimom]

Jessica and Barbara,

I agree with you - Newcorgiowner, there is a reason for "never wake a sleeping baby" - in both cats and dogs, it can affect their growth - let the baby sleep when he wants, use a crate at night and let him out if he cries, he soon will be sleeping through the night as his bladder matures. Part of having a puppy is us being inconvienced for awhile at night time -

Linda

[Chip's Mom]

Same as having a new baby in the house. Some sleep all night relatively soon and others wake up part way through the night. Chip still wakes up sometimes about 3 - 4 in the morning for a potty break. It is a good thing he is real quick. New puppies require alot of sleep

[Corgis'R4me]

Originally Posted by Fluffypants

I am lucky, I guess. Jackie has been spending the whole night in her crate without a peep since the day we brought her home. She's a genius!

I always let her sleep when she felt she needed it. My opinion was that nature knew better than I did. If she was sleeping, it must have been for a good reason. (but what do I know? . . . not much, according to Jackie!)

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*~* NEVER WAKE UP A SLEEPING...BABY ! or puppy...

( You know alot...that is why Jackie LOVES you so very much ! )



*~* Nikki

[glencorgi]

No Barbara, you aren't wrong.
<http://www.petplace.com/dogs/ask-the-vet-how-long-does-a-normal-puppy-sleep/page1.aspx>
<http://www.darnfar.com/Dog%20Training/housebreaking_a_puppy.htm>
Although this deals with housebreaking and I'm not sure how 100% realistic the schedule is (good outline though), sleep is mentioned here.
Good pointers in here:
<http://www.campbellcounty.ky.gov/countyservices/animalshelter/caring.htm>

While there is truth to the saying, "a tired puppy is a good puppy," one needs to keep it in perspective of the age of the puppy. Tiring out an eight/nine week old puppy the same way one would a six month old puppy would not be healthy for the eight/nine week puppy.

While beginning a schedule and routine for her is a good idea and in her best interest, at the same time you are going to have factor in the needs of her age.

Debbie

[newcorgiowner]

Originally Posted by glencorgi

No Barbara, you aren't wrong.
<http://www.petplace.com/dogs/ask-the-vet-how-long-does-a-normal-puppy-sleep/page1.aspx>
<http://www.darnfar.com/Dog%20Training/housebreaking_a_puppy.htm>
Although this deals with housebreaking and I'm not sure how 100% realistic the schedule is (good outline though), sleep is mentioned here.
Good pointers in here:
<http://www.campbellcounty.ky.gov/countyservices/animalshelter/caring.htm>

While there is truth to the saying, "a tired puppy is a good puppy," one needs to keep it in perspective of the age of the puppy. Tiring out an eight/nine week old puppy the same way one would a six month old puppy would not be healthy for the eight/nine week puppy.

While beginning a schedule and routine for her is a good idea and in her best interest, at the same time you are going to have factor in the needs of her age.

Debbie

Excellent information anyone. We knew there was something wrong with the info we had been told about keeping her up and we didn't really have the heart to really do it either. I mean...she looks *so* cute while she's sleeping, how could I disturb that?

Anyway, I have no real problems with being woken up, my fiance and I have been taking turns each night.

[darci]

I agree I would never wake a puppy, their bladder will wake them when they need to go.

[Gizmo's mom]

Originally Posted by newcorgiowner

my fiance and I have been taking turns each night.

He's being generous. I'm not at my best when being woken after two hours, especially by puppy tongue up my nose (she gets a little enthusiastic with her kisses sometimes). He claims I've said some weird stuff when he tries to wake me for my turn....

You can tell who takes her out more by who can tell with some kind of weird sixth sense when she has to go (that would be him ).