Discussion
Here's Sula our Flat Coated Retriever pup. 
I'm smitten!
However despite being given a comfy bed in the kitchen/diner she insists on sleeping on the wooden floor or in the room next door under the comp (even if I'm not there).
We've not been locking her in the crate/cage as she is pretty well housetrained but she just won't sleep there. Plays in it but opts to sleep under the table.
Should we just leave her to sleep wherever or be more insistant that she has a bed?
I know pups are meant to have a place of their own to sleep but she just seems to crash wherever. Not in our bedroom though!
Just got her yesterday so maybe we're expecting too much.
Any puppy experts opinions appreciated.
I'm smitten!
However despite being given a comfy bed in the kitchen/diner she insists on sleeping on the wooden floor or in the room next door under the comp (even if I'm not there).
We've not been locking her in the crate/cage as she is pretty well housetrained but she just won't sleep there. Plays in it but opts to sleep under the table.
Should we just leave her to sleep wherever or be more insistant that she has a bed?
I know pups are meant to have a place of their own to sleep but she just seems to crash wherever. Not in our bedroom though!
Just got her yesterday so maybe we're expecting too much.
Any puppy experts opinions appreciated.
Labradors/Retrievers generally prefer to sleep where they can keep one eye on you and the fridge so they don't miss out on any potential food opportunities!
Talking of food, IMHO this is the best dry food you can feed a lab/retriever on if you want them healthy and your home smell-free plus a supplement of fresh meat, fish and eggs:
http://www.burns-pet-nutrition.co.uk/index.htm
Talking of food, IMHO this is the best dry food you can feed a lab/retriever on if you want them healthy and your home smell-free plus a supplement of fresh meat, fish and eggs:
http://www.burns-pet-nutrition.co.uk/index.htm
It sounds cruel but its not. Lock the wee beastie in her crate at night and when you go out and leave her. It is only us humans who see it as a 'cage'. She will soon learn that it is her space where she can go to get away from it all.
Start as you mean to go on or like me you will soon be fighting for sofa space with a stupid Weimeraner.
Start as you mean to go on or like me you will soon be fighting for sofa space with a stupid Weimeraner.
B17NNS said:
It sounds cruel but its not. Lock the wee beastie in her crate at night and when you go out and leave her. It is only us humans who see it as a 'cage'. She will soon learn that it is her space where she can go to get away from it all.
Start as you mean to go on or like me you will soon be fighting for sofa space with a stupid Weimeraner.
Mmmmm, I'd agree with that too. If you let her sleep where she wants now she'll be uncrontrollable when she gets bigg.Start as you mean to go on or like me you will soon be fighting for sofa space with a stupid Weimeraner.
Better that at this age (small) she get's used to sleeping in that huge crate so that when she is older and bigger (and the crate is smaller) she knows it's her space and is happy to be there.
She's gorgeous, we lost our flat coat a couple of years ago - still hugely missed, they are such loveable dogs and ours was like a big puppy all her life
You do need to lay the law down early, but if you only got her a day or so ago she is probably still wary and a little frightened, so don't be too harsh, give her a week to settle into her new home first.
You do need to lay the law down early, but if you only got her a day or so ago she is probably still wary and a little frightened, so don't be too harsh, give her a week to settle into her new home first.
Pleased to say she slept in her crate last night, although we left the door open so she could wander round the kitchen.
Only a few howls at 4.30am because she needed out.
So far she's only chewed what she's allowed to chew, although I'm not sure how long that will last ...
She's still gorgeous though
Only a few howls at 4.30am because she needed out.
So far she's only chewed what she's allowed to chew, although I'm not sure how long that will last ...
She's still gorgeous though
scruffy101 said:
A vote for the crate as well,painful for a few nights but it stops your house getting wrecked when you are in bed.
And here. Plus, the dog learns that the crate is in fact her space, and if you leave the door open will return there voluntarily. You can also use the command "go to bed" and she will go there and stay there until released (with training of course). Placing her toys and treats in there will also encourage her to use it. Each night, place a few treats in, say, "Go to Bed", and put her in. Eventually you will start to head to bed, and she'll go running to the crate.
Rotaree said:
Chilli said:
Absolutyely gorgeous...why isn't she sleeping on your bed?
Why on Earth would she want her to do that? - filthy, unhygenic practice!Chilli said:
Rotaree said:
Chilli said:
Absolutyely gorgeous...why isn't she sleeping on your bed?
Why on Earth would she want her to do that? - filthy, unhygenic practice!Chilli said:
Rotaree said:
Chilli said:
Absolutyely gorgeous...why isn't she sleeping on your bed?
Why on Earth would she want her to do that? - filthy, unhygenic practice!Gassing Station | The Pie & Piston Archive | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff