Newbie here - Finding new puppy hard work

[Katedan]

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Hi I have a new lab puppy who is gorgeous but I am finding the lack of sleep etc very hard and feel myself getting very down a bit PND after I had my kids. Is this normal? He is 9 weeks old and generally quite good in the day but having to take him out about every 30 minutes to toilet which is hard when working from home but generally very few indoor accidents however at night he goes in his crate (not locked/dooropen) at 11 and take him out again 3/4am and then up at about 6/7am and it feels like having a newborn again, when I tried to not do the 3/4am letting him out he pooed in the house and still wees on the floor even with me getting up every 43/4 hours. I use treats when he goes outside but how long does it take for them to sleep through the night without needing to toilet? Any help or advice would be appreciated

 

[JoanneF]

Hi, welcome. First, puppy blues is totally normal and second, it does get easier.

How long the housetraining takes will vary from pup to pup. Usually they will sleep through by about 4 months. Remember at 9 weeks he is a baby with no bladder control at all.

It sounds like you are doing the right things, make sure when you reward it is immediately so it's clear that it is for toileting and not for anything else. The more successful toilets outside, the faster he will learn.

By the way, about your username, the last wedding I was at was between a Kate and a Dan!

 

[Rakete]

When is he fed last in the evening? Too late may cause more late night/early morning poop.

How often do you feed him? 3 times? 4 times?

 

[JudyN]

I found having a puppy harder work in some ways than having babies. At least babies wear nappies and stay in one place when you put them down, and when you do need to change them in the night, it doesn't involve standing outside in freezing temperatures!

Hang on in there, tell yourself that this will pass, and consider self-medication with gin and chocolate Also, when you're feeling down, feel free to come on here and have a good moan.

Just a thought - do you have a partner who can help with the nights? Hubby and I found it really helpful for just one of us to be 'on duty' each night, so one night in two each of us knew we could have a full night in bed. (We did a similar thing with our human babies, where I would do the nights and he'd do the stupidly early mornings - which was great when they slept through and woke up at 5am )

 

[Finsky]

Oh it is hard work indeed...there is no doubt about it Although I have never had human child myself, it is the closest description we all use when describing puppies development. They do go through many similar stages, though the time span how long the growing up takes is considerably shorter. It just not feel like it when you in the middle of it all So yes...it is normal and although I don't like to add to your struggles ( I rather be honest than lie), you really have only started the journey....there is still so much more to come. BUT...you will get used to it and adapt to it all. In a a year, you will say....where did all that time go? ....they grow up so fast

 

[Hemlock]

Yes it IS hard, but it passes much much faster than it does with humans! Bowel/bladder control varies from pup to pup, but they all get there eventually. Make sure you clean up with an enzymatic product, as anything with ammonia in it will make the area smell like a good place to pee and poo to your puppy.

 

[Katedan]

Thank you for responding,

He currently eats 3 times a day and last meal is 5pm to give him time to poo before bed, I am keeping a poo and wee diary to get a pattern.

It is helpful to get an idea of possible timescales so 4 months as a guide ( but except that is a min) gives me something to aim for.

I do have a husband who is willing to take it in turns so will ask him to help as well.

Thank you for all being so friendly.