Deedee Update - Problems :(

[Tea_juice]

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Hi Everybody - DeeDee is home

It's been a hectic first 2 days, so I've only just managed to sneak on (she's asleep at last!) I have lots of pics to share, but cant find the camera lead at the mo, so will have to wait til OH gets home.

The journey home wasn’t too bad, she whined and whimpered for the first 10 minutes, then threw up all over me :x then seemed to accept her fate and fell asleep for the rest of the way :thumbsup:

Most of Saturday night she just slept, after her initial sniff around and some dinner. We tried to be strong and make her sleep in the kitchen at bed time, but we only managed 10 minutes of howling, screaming and crying before we caved in! She wouldn’t even settle in her bed next to me, so she ended up under the duvet with us

Last night was a little better; she managed 2 hours in the kitchen asleep, before screaming again. I brought her upstairs at 1am, and she stayed in her bed til 3am, before waking me up and getting under the duvet :b

I know it's very early days yet, but I’m actually a little worried about her.

Two reasons really. One is her lack of interest in food. All other puppies I've known have been dustbins and will eat as much as you can stuff in them. But DeeDee doesn’t seem to be too interested. She's obviously hungry in the morning, but will only eat half a serving of scrambled egg (made with milk and 1 egg), a little mince for lunch, and literally a few mouthfuls of dry food for tea. Is this normal?? She did munch her way through a pig’s ear yesterday. She also has no interest in treats. I wanted to try and start some basic training this morning, sit etc, but the cubes of cheese, pieces of sausage and chicken don’t really hold any interest for her. She sniffs at it, has a lick, and then just wonders off Any suggestions?

The other thing I'm worried about is her screaming. Obviously puppies need pretty much constant attention when they're this small, but I'm finding it impossible to even leave her for 5 minutes. She'll happily potter about downstairs playing, annoying the cat etc if I'm say in the kitchen washing up, and she'll even stay snoozing in her bed, if I go into the lounge without following me, but as soon as I shut the baby gate she screams her head off! I don’t mean the whimpery whiny "give me attention, don’t leave me Mum" stuff, I mean howling, screaming, scrabbling, trying to break her neck against the gate kind It's really upsetting and I don’t know what to do. I really need to go for a shower! but can't leave her unsupervised down here with the gate open, as she could go up stairs and hurt herself or chew a wire in the lounge, but I cant carry her upstairs and leave her loose up there while I’m showering. What can I do?? She gets so worked up if we try and shut her in the kitchen, that afterwards she still whimpers and then falls asleep on the floor Is it always like this? Will she get better? OH thinks we should ignore her, so I put her in the kitchen, with the gate shut while I hoovered the lounge, and as soon as the gate clicked she started throwing herself against it, screaming and howling. I ignored her for 2 minutes, but she got louder and louder and more frantic! When I went back to her, and opened the gate, she didn’t rush out to me like you’d expect, she just walked out and into the lounge and started whimpering in there before pouncing on her raggy and acting normal again! So it’s obviously not the seperation from me that’s upsetting her, but the being confined to just one room. Help??

Sorry this is horrendously long, I'm just really tired (and smelly!) and worried!

ANY suggestions welcome. Thanks.

 

[Janimal]

I would let her settle in before you start any training in my opinion. Just make sure she feels safe and warm and loved of course. :thumbsup: Im sure the crying will settle down - have you got something that smells of you or her littermates in with her - or a ticking clock, or radio playing low or a soft toy. You could try the crate in your bedroom - till she settles down.

It all takes time - and I am sure other multi whippet owners on here will give you some more advice. :thumbsup:

Little and often with the food Id say - and what was she having with her breeder - my breeder gave me a little of their food to give to my dogs. but the scrambled egg will be fine in the mornings - and a meaty meal later. I fed mine 4 small meals a day then drop to three when they are around 6-7 months.

What about some minced chicken breast or beef to tempt her to eat?? I think the problem will be probably till she settles in - it must be be very strange to a puppy - all the changes - so be patient. :huggles: Good Luck :luck: :luck:

 

[Juley]

Hi

All the pups I have had from someone else haven't wanted to eat a great deal for a day or two. I like to hand feed mine the odd meal so they associate me with food and comfort. The not wanting to be left WILL get better. :thumbsup: . Everything is strange and you are her source of comfort and security. Pop her in the crate while you shower. Put the radio on for her and when you let her out, don't make a huge fuss of her. Just talk to her normally and get on with whatever you are doing. For her safety, if you can't watch her or you need to confine her to one room, use the crate rather than the gate. I teach mine to be left for a couple of mins at a time and build it up. I wouldn't start training for a week or two (except house training). She will soon get into a routine, honestly. :huggles:

 

[Tea_juice]

I would let her settle in before you start any training in my opinion.  Just make sure she feels safe and warm and loved of course. :thumbsup:   Im sure the crying will settle down - have you got something that smells of you or her littermates in with her - or a ticking clock, or radio playing low or a soft toy.  You could try the crate in your bedroom - till she settles down.

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Thanks for your quick reply Janimal. I know I must be sounding like an impatient, unsuitable Mummy, but I'm just worried.

If it was just yapping or crying at night it would be ok, but this is creaming, and she's physically trying to hurt herself getting out, and like I said, at night I dont mind having her bed up with us if thats what she needs, (she also has blankets, a rag from "home" and a teddy in her bed) but its the needing to leave her for 5 minutes while i pop upstairs which is the big problem Should I ignore her? or resort to carrying her around the house with me like a baby!!? :blink:

I'm following the diet sheet her breeder gave us, so she should be eating the same as she was there.

I promise I will try and stop worrying so much. I know it has only been 48 hours since she came home.

PS I do love her though, worries and all, she's a poppet :wub: - even the cat's starting to agree :thumbsup:

Juley just replied as I was posting this - she doesnt have a crate, just a big bed, so the only way I can confine her is to shut the gate.

 

[Tesa]

When Tesa was a little baby/puppy she would sit at our feet and cry as if her heart was breaking, wanting to get up on the couch with us for a cuddle. OH said we were spoiling her, and not to let her up . So we would let her sit there and cry for 20 minutes at a time, but always in the end we would give in and pick her up for a cuddle. As she grew bigger she was no longer comfortable sitting up with us, and wouldn't hop up for a cuddle any more. We achieved nothing by letting that poor little girl sit and sob at our feet. We did however miss those cuddles .

Just remember she is only a little baby and you have taken her world away from her. Humor her for a few days until she finds her feet in your house. Make her bed a rewarding place for her while she is finding her place in your house.

You will be surprised how quickly she will settle in :luck:

 

[Janimal]

I would let her settle in before you start any training in my opinion.  Just make sure she feels safe and warm and loved of course. :thumbsup:    Im sure the crying will settle down - have you got something that smells of you or her littermates in with her - or a ticking clock, or radio playing low or a soft toy.  You could try the crate in your bedroom - till she settles down.

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Thanks for your quick reply Janimal. I know I must be sounding like an impatient, unsuitable Mummy, but I'm just worried.

If it was just yapping or crying at night it would be ok, but this is creaming, and she's physically trying to hurt herself getting out, and like I said, at night I dont mind having her bed up with us if thats what she needs, (she also has blankets, a rag from "home" and a teddy in her bed) but its the needing to leave her for 5 minutes while i pop upstairs which is the big problem Should I ignore her? or resort to carrying her around the house with me like a baby!!? :blink:

I'm following the diet sheet her breeder gave us, so she should be eating the same as she was there.

I promise I will try and stop worrying so much. I know it has only been 48 hours since she came home.

PS I do love her though, worries and all, she's a poppet :wub: - even the cat's starting to agree :thumbsup:

Juley just replied as I was posting this - she doesnt have a crate, just a big bed, so the only way I can confine her is to shut the gate.

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The crates do make them feel safe and secure - but if you prefer the bed then thats fine - do what you feel is best for you. I would just keep on leaving her in the room alone for maybe five or ten minutes at a time as Juley says - and it will get better - honestly. :thumbsup:

Oscar used to follow me everywhere when he was a puppy - even to the loo (w00t) but Kobi had a friend to stay with when he arrived. :thumbsup:

 

[~Helen~]

Poor you. I sympathise. I've been there too! It is horrible when you're deprived of sleep and you're not sure you're doing the right thing. I agree with what's already been said - be patient and don't expect too much. As the others say, I wouldn't do any training yet - wait until you have little DeeDee's trust and confidence. And don't fret about the food - she is eating something, so she won't starve. Just keep offering her small meals and don't be tempted to let her have treats or snacks in between or she won't be hungry enough to eat a meal when the time comes.

With the crying, it's heart-breaking but just imagine what DeeDee is going through - the loss of her mum and siblings, an alien environment, people who she wants to bond with shutting her behind a gate and expecting to her to settle down and not feel abandoned. I'm not saying that to make you feel bad, but just to help you think about what might be going on in her head :thumbsup:

Give her the cuddles and the bonding she needs, just for a couple of days until she has learnt to trust that you aren't going to abandon her. Have a shower, of course, but maybe do it when your OH is around to be with DeeDee, or like Juley says, get a crate so that you can leave her safely for ten minutes. They cost about £40 in Argos. They're a godsend and save your house from being trashed while you're out. I still use one now! The rest of the time, be like her Mum. Carry her about. Sit with her on your lap. Play with her. Enjoy the time - what I wouldn't give for a day or two of just doing those things!! I'm such a softie that I used an old sarong and made a sling to carry Lola around in :lol: so that she was warm and snuggled against my chest while I made myself a cup of tea. Other K9ers have seen that sling in action :b :lol: :lol:

Tomorrow, try leaving her for five minutes, preferably in a crate with soft bedding and toys and chews. When you return, don't get her out immediately but sit and talk calmly until she's quiet, then let her out (ie reward her for going quiet). Later in the day, do it again. Be consistent, and gradually DeeDee will come to understand that you always come back. Then you can slowly increase the times you leave her, ie leave her for six minutes and so on, but take it slowly.

All this is very time consuming and doesn't leave you much room for a life over the next few days, but it's worth it - and it really is such a short (and precious) time. Get the beginning bit right, and in the long run you'll have a secure dog who trusts you absolutely and will be happy being left. She'll be your constant companion and forever friend and that's, after all, what you want from your dog :wub:

 

[jordanv]

I would definitely invest in a crate. I got mine really cheap off the internet. I don't know how I would manage without it. We bought quite a large one and just put a comfy cushion bed in it with a blanket and a bit of newspaper down by the door. The first day we brought Milo home he went to bed and cried for a little while and then went to sleep. I got up in the morning and he had done a wee on the paper. The next night we didn't hear a peep from him. He is now 6 months old and goes into his crate when we go to bed and goes right through the night until about 7-8 in the morning and has always been clean.

Now he will often play at night then wander off and I will find him curled up in his crate so its his little place for peace and quiet. I think you will need it in the long run to save your furniture and sanity :wacko:

I have a 17 month old baby so I often have to put him in his crate when I need to get on with certain things and I know he is secure and will not get anything he shouldn't.

I am sure DeeDee will get used to it very quickly.

Good Luck :luck: :luck:

 

[whippetwise]

Oh poor you, I really feel for you, I bet you feel like a bad mum already! Just keep thinking about her situation, she will be missing her mother and siblings terribly. Put her in the crate where she cannot hurt herself and have your shower, try to ignore her cries. Get her used to the crate, gradually increasing the time you leave her alone. Take it slowly, be patient and try not to worry she will settle down soon. Oh god its all ahead of me!!, I will be in your position two months from now. Good luck and keep us updated :thumbsup:

 

[kim & Tilly]

dont panic, we have all been there, some more than others :- "

Tilly was a wimperer when we left her in the kitchen at night, but after the first couple of nights and chewed lino, we took everyones advice and got a cage. (big enough for two, i might add :- " ) it took another 3 or 4 nights before she settled down and was happy in the crate and knew we were coming back....

Bean was a screamer, we put her in a crate on her own, but after 2 nights of screaming we put her in with tilly and all was quiet :teehee:

The more you pander to her needs the more she will need you, if you need to go and make tea or have a shower just do it, put her in the crate and like everyone has said put a radio on or something, if you keep coming back after she has cried for 2 mins she will associate 'cry and they come...'

Good luck and keep with it, it WILL get better

Kim and Tilly and Bean

 

[Rae]

Hiya,

Congrats on your lovely puppy.

I've not had a screamer but my friend had one and the noise that came out of such a small creatre was dreadful. He is still a lovely cuddly boy so on the plus side perhaps Dee Dee will always want to have cuddles. :huggles:

I too would get a crate. Pop her in it when she has had a play and been to the toilet, and leave her with some food or a puppy kong - then she has something to take her mind off you. Ours have always settled happily on our bed :- " , or in the crate so it's worth putting in a few days of work now.

 

[ruth]

Gosh, I remember thinking 'when am i going to have shower?"!!, but don't worry, you will wash again!

Try not to worry (impossible, i know) but am sure you are doing everything you can, we tried a crate with monty, but he just screamed even more when we shut him in there, so in the end gave up and just gradually increased the time apart in a separate room a few minutes at a time. For a while i even tried herbal remedies, but i think it was time rather than flower remedies that sorted it all out. For a while i didn't think things were getting any better but then one day just realised that i could do pretty much everthing as normal.

As for not eating, i read on here that grating cheese over a meal was a good trick (but i suppose if deedee is not too fussed about cheese that my not work, maybe try smelly cheese)

Ruth

 

[dianebry]

MAYBE YOU ARE QUITE ANXIOUS AND TRANSFERRING THESE FEELINGS TO THE PUPPY.

 

[imperative]

We have three pups and the two whippies ar litter mates but they still cry and winge for comfort.I do hug them and let them sit on furniture.They are babies and just need lots of love.Plus whilst its this cold they very warm :- "

 

[chelynnah]

Juley just replied as I was posting this - she doesnt have a crate, just a big bed, so the only way I can confine her is to shut the gate.

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Don't worry so much - she's just gone from being in a litter of siblings to being an only dog in a new place. It will take her a day or two to eat. As for the crate, if you aren't against it, it really is better. It may be that she's feeling insecure in the large area that you've left her in - and puppies do honestly feel safer in a confined space. I have no doubt she'll still scream for attention, but might be less frantic.

Where are you located. I've a couple spare you could either borrow or buy if you're near me, I'm in Dorset.

Wendy

 

[Lynn-Alexandria]

She'll be ok. It'll take a few days for her to settle in. Shes a lovely pup, congrats.

 

[Tea_juice]

The DeeDee Monster slept from 12.30 til 6am last night! Yay!! She only started her screaming when she heard the alarm clock go off at 6

Not sure if the DAP did it's job and helped her feel more secure, or if the stories on BBC7 were particularly good last night, and kept her entertained, or whether she is just finally, finally settling in!

Whatever the reason, I'm so pleased, and feel awake for the first time in 2 weeks! :lol:

Having alone time during the day is getting better too. Sometimes she's happy to be shut in, or left to her own devices, but then sometimes she'll scream as soon as we're out of sight. It is an improvement though.

Oh and I'd better just add, that we did go and get a crate in the end. She refuses to have the door shut on it though, but she does like to take all her toys into her "den", and chew hides and bones in there, so I think she likes it

 

[chelynnah]

Oh and I'd better just add, that we did go and get a crate in the end. She refuses to have the door shut on it though,  but she does like to take all her toys into her "den", and chew hides and bones in there, so I think she likes it

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That's a good start - now what you do is if she falls asleep in there close the door so she wakes up with it closed. If she falls asleep elsewhere and you're able to gently move her into the crate, then do so and shut the door. Then she'll get used to waking up in the crate with the door shut. It will help ease her into being put in and the door being shut.

Wendy

 

[Tea_juice]

Thanks Wendy, thats a good idea.

The only thing I was thinking though is, if she wakes up, realises the door's shut, and starts screaming and thrashing, won't us going to her and opening the door just make her think that that's what she needs to do to get Mummy and Daddy to come and free her, so then she'll always just do it when shut in? :wacko:

 

[chelynnah]

Thanks Wendy, thats a good idea.The only thing I was thinking though is, if she wakes up, realises the door's shut, and starts screaming and thrashing, won't us going to her and opening the door just make her think that that's what she needs to do to get Mummy and Daddy to come and free her, so then she'll always just do it when shut in?  :wacko:

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If she starts screaming and thrashing DON'T go to her till she's quiet. When she's quiet (even if it's for a minute) then you can open it. So you're rewarding the quiet not the screaming.

The other thing is if you are trying to put her in and closing the door while she's awake, if she fusses at all DO NOT let her back out till she stops fussing. All you're teaching her (as it sounds like you've already grasped) is that by fussing she gets out.

Same thing in the mornings - when you get up, (or she starts screaming because of the alarm), ignore her until she's NOT fussing.

It's hard - Chelsea and Savvy were excellent at crate training. Teya was my screamer. It broke my heart, but she eventually stopped and is great in teh crate (except at shows where she still has hissy fits).

Wendy