Puppy howling!!!

[CAJ1]

Hi,

I've had Rosie, my black lab since she was 8 weeks old, she is 13 weeks old today. She has not onced howled at night... that was until last night when she howled for a good hour once I had gone to bed! It was so unusual for her, that I went downstairs thinking she was either sick, needed the toilet or had shut herself in somewhere. She seemed fine and delighted to see me so I just let on I had come down to let her out to the toilet, I didn't fuss over her or anything. I make sure she has a chance to go out to the toilet every night before I go up to bed, I have exactly the same routine every night for her and I give her an item of clothing that smells of me. A few questions:

Is it normal for puppies to start doing this a few weeks in?
Am I right to ignore her howling?
Should I let her upstairs with me?
My other half has been gone for week, he is spending 3 months in Afghanistan - is it possible her howling was because she misses him?

TIA

[barb1314]

Hi again,I've not had any experience of this. If you want her to stay downstairs,you'll have to ignore her,even though it's heartbreaking. She will soon stop once she realises you're not coming. If you keep going down,you're teaching her that noise equals attention. I am far too soft though and from day one Lottie has slept in our room (she does have her own bed though) and never a peep from her. I think Labs are particularly 'people' dogs and adore company. Hope she's keeping you company and giving you lots of cuddles whilst your OH is away (that must be so hard)

[wildwood]

I feel it is quite possible for her to have started missing your other half. Howling is a way for dogs to let other pack members know where they are.

[ELVIS68]

My little cross terrier is nearly 5 now and he still howls when my missus leaves the house in the morning even though I`m still in bed after a nightshift, a couple of thumps on the bedroom floor to let him know someone is still at home shuts him up

[CAJ1]

Hi barb, it is hard to ignore I felt terrible lol! Last night she was fine but it might be because I was mean and didn't let her nap during the evening so she really was tired a bit later on! She's no good upstairs, she thinks the minute you lie down you are playing a game lol! She is great company and I'm very glad I have her :)

I watched her this morning wildwood and she greeted me ecstatically as always and then ran upstairs to my OH side of the bed and had a hunt and then sat there and looked at me...awww, poor puppy won't understand where he is!

I'm going to resist letting her up with me pinki (if I can!), I know my OH would prefer she is downstairs so if I let her up for 3 months, I can hardly expect her to know to sleep downstairs when he's back.

Your dog is the opposite of mine Elvis. Mine whines and paws at the door if she knows someone is in but is quiet when no one is there!

[karenmac60]

Hard as it is, don't give in to her. You'll be making a rod for your own back if you do. Mr mac is a complete soft touch when it comes to our pets and they know it. If he as much as sets one foot out of bed the dog knows it is him and barks like mad - whereas I can get up, come downstairs and leave him locked in the kitchen and he doesn't make a sound.