Seperation anxiety

[Baby02]

I think my nearly 5 month old pup has this! when i go to bed at night he is fine but wakes me up a couple of times during the night for no particular reason ( he doesnt want a wee or poo ) once hes seen me he just settles back down in his cage. Any advice on this would be most helpful
TIA

[sladeyp]

Hiya when i got my puppy i was told to wrap a water bottle up in a blanket and also a clock with a loud tick the warmth and the ticking simulates the puppies warm and heart beat of the mother my puppy was younger than yours but its wort a try good luck.

[sladeyp]

Soz i meant to put warmth of the mother.

[lankeela]

He has perfected what is known as the 'owner's recall' - just like when you call him you expect him to come to you, he calls and sure enough you go!

If you are happy to do this then fine, but if you ignore it a couple of times provided you are sure he will be clean right through then he will soon learn you are not going to respond.
You can start giving him a bit more exercise before he goes to bed as well, which will tire him out a bit more. Even a good game before bedtime will help him settle, and of course, lots of things to play with and chew.

[kira000]

If there is a piece of clothing- t shirt, jogging bottoms etc that you dont want anymore, wear it for a few days so it smells of you, then leave it in his box/bed. He will find it comforting to have something that smells of you nearby.

[woofgang]

lol lankeela people tend to forget that training is always a two way street!! My two have got me "trained" to give them a treat when they come back and walk close to me at the end of a walk without being called.

If the couple of times are always at the same time, could something be waking him?

[oldmaggie]

Is his cage large enough for him? My dogs like to have a good move about and stretch during the night...how do I know? I confess they sleep in my bedroom in their box,on the floor and on the bed. They never stay in the same place all night. BTW I hate dogs left in cages but that is another story.

[woofgang]

mine sleep in the bedroom as well. We used a cage when they were littlies so that they could be safe when i needed to do some housework or go to the loo lol and they went in at our meal times so we could eat in peace but as they learned better manners, we used the cage less and its now out in the garage. They still travel in a cage in the car and are happy to do that.
When you are doing no error housetraining, having the dg in the bedroom with you makes it sooooo much easier too!

[thugulike]

My 21 month old mastiff does this too. I don't mind, he has a cuddle and then goes back to sleep. I hardly notice.