4.5 month old whippet will not sleep in her bed - help

[bibilove]

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Hi There,

Im new to this forum. So hello everyone !

We have a darling female whippet who is 4.5 months old , and only recently left her mother & brother due to the seller being let down by other people.

We just adore her , she is wonderfully well behaved .

Recall - check

Sit - Check

No 2's Outside - Check

Wee's outside - mostly check

Walks ok .. apart from when its cold. She refuses to walk - I have to carry her to the park... but thats fine.

Its the night-time... She has to sleep velcro'd to my side ... literally ... under the duvet , head on my pillow.

Our bed is just not big enough , plus we both agree she needs to sleep on her own really.

She wil not stay in her bed .. not one second. And I feel bad shutting her in her pen .. we tried and now she doesn't like going in there .. ( think cat to a vet carrier ! type reaction )

Also sometimes she needs a wee still in the night .. twice a week this seems to happen around 3am.

Anyone got any advice ? We all need some rest

Best

Kate

 

[goldenbear2013]

Whippets are people dogs, they love being close to their owners and getting as much attention as possible, and will whine alot when they are left, even if it means you going out the room and they cant come with you!

You need to retrain her with the pen/crate. A stuffed kong is always a good one, if she likes food treats. Pop it in the crate and she can sit and eat it in the crate. She will start to associate the pen with positive things. Keep the pen door open when you do this, and then shut it without locking it, then lock it, then lock it and leave the room. You can see where I'm going with this!

Also if you want her in the bedroom with you, but not sleeping with you, put the crate in your room, if you have room. This way she knows where you are and she has her own space. This maybe once she has gotten used to the crate again, so you may have to put up with her in your bed for a bit longer! I would normally say just go for it and she will settle eventually but as she seems to have an adverse reaction to the crate you need to take baby steps to get her used to it again.

She will grow out of the wanting a wee in the middle of the night. Some dogs can hold their bladders longer than others! Mines 19 months old and every now and then if he has drank too much water during the day he will wake me up to let him out! Try not to worry too much about that.

See how you get on with my suggestions and see what others on the forum say. There is a lady on here that breeds and keeps whippets and if she responds she will no doubt have some top adivce for you

Have patience as this will take time, I'm talking weeks no doubt.

Good luck and let us know how you get on.

Sophie x

 

[bibilove]

Thank you so much ! I love her snuggling with me .. but it just gets silly when she stretches out her long legs and my hubby gets the feet end ..

Then we all wake up ..

I will try the crate again and do it bit by bit as you say

Thank you !

Kate

 

[finley]

Hi, I've just joined the forum and read your problem. I have a 3yr old whippet who is a delight in every way but insists on sleeping in our bed exactly like yours. Luckily we have a king size and a very understanding husband. I read the breed history and found they were used by miners to put in bed with the children to keep the kids warm so its not surprising they feel it is their right! must say I remember when I had flu and he earned his place in my heart by snuggling up and keeping me warm. we are picking up a new whippet puppy next week and I am really hoping they decide to snuggle up together instead of in the bed but can't say I'm holding out much hope. Did you manage to sort your sleeping arrangements? I have discovered that whippets have a brilliant ability to ignore you and won't give up on something until you give in. Mine is now satisfied that he now has me well trained. This time next week my life will be turned upside down again but wouldn't want it any other way.

 

[Biker John]

Finley, my bet is the two will more likely be in your bed with you, and yes Whippets are wonderful dogs but virtually every one feels its their place in your bed.

 

[bibilove]

Hi Everyone

I tried EVERYTHING but have given in .. so now Bibi starts off in her own bed and comes into ours around 3/4am .. I actually don't mind now and Bibi is far cleaner than our cat who keeps leaving fluff and velcro burrs from burdock plants on the bed, carpet , pillows ... ! :lol:

She also just stays at the end of the bed now - so we don't really notice as much .