Thanks again everyone for the great tips! Yesterday I took Bentley and Lexi to the agility field and just let them run around for about an hour. When we got back, I only let Lexi take a little nap
We put her in her crate in the living room (not the bedroom) when she started to get tired last night. I was afraid that she would cry and I would feel bad, but she didn't whine at all. We did take her out at 2 a.m. just to be safe, but she came in and went back to sleep.
Not to say that our problems have been completely fixed, but I think we're on the right track! Thanks again!
I know Lexi and Kai'a are really close in age, (Kai'a is 11 weeks) and we are going through a lot of the same things right now.
The advice given was great! Basically what I am doing is getting Kai'a good and tired before bed, giving her the last potty at 10 or 10:30 and then up into the crate in our room. So far she might whine a bit at first or let out a short bark or yip, but she quiets down really quickly. The first night she had an accident in her crate but after that we haven't had a problem. I take her out at about 3 or 3:30 every night. When she hits 12 weeks I plan on moving it to 4 am for a week, then 5 am for the next, and then she will, hopefully, just sleep until we get her up at 6 for breakfast and a morning walk. Phasing out the early morning potty I think will work for us instead of just stopping all at once.
We are also teaching her "no bark", "settle" and "quiet" and it seems to be working well, but if you give in a get up and get her out when she starts, you have lost most of the battle; she will do it constantly thinking that if she barks long enough or loud enough you will get up. We use "Settle" whe she is in her crate and she starts to get agitated or whiney. It lets her know that we think it's quiet time and then when she is in her crate (no matter what time it is) and being quiet, we tell her "good settle" and treat her or give her praise. She responds best to the "settle" command better than the other 2, but we are working on them all.
I wanted to put in my 2 cents about the walks and the treating; This is what we have been doing since she arrived:
As for the leash and walking. I let Kai'a run around, supervised, with the lead on her for about 30 minutes a day. I also attach the lead to my belt loop and walk around the kitchen, living room, (her accessible areas) with her while doing chores and things. This had gotten her used to walking with me. (I say that too, "Walk with me Kai'a" and that gets her attention and she moves with me fluidly.) I also treat at times when I say that and she follows without me having to pull or suggest. Then I started with the "mini" walks on the lead. First the end of the lawn, then the end of the sidewalk, then to the front gate, then the yard, the mailbox, the next door neighbors driveway, two houses down, across the street, etc. Each day I would go a little further with her, letting her stop, stall, sniff, get used to the sounds, the area. Finally a few days ago when we went out to the end of the block, she was walking with me, not stopping to sniff everything and she herself pulled us on, not wanting to stop. We were able to continue on to circle the entire block!!!
I was really amazed. Yes, I still have to use "Walk with me" and prompt her to move and follow, but overall we walk nicely, with leash behavior that is acceptable for her age. I don't have to treat more than once or twice a walk, and it is usually for good behavior and her listening to me, stopping ans sitting when I ask, etc. The other day however, a HUGE dog ran out to her gate and started barking at Kai'a from about 3 feet away. I had no idea this home had a dog and Kai'a lost it. She ran under my legs and peed all over herself and me. Shaking and crying, it was so difficult to get her home. She did not want to walk as EVERYTHING now scared her, but I didn't want to pick her up and reward the fear behavior. It took us 40 minutes to get back home and since then she is not as keen to go out and walk, especially anywhere near the street with the dog (which I now avoid).
But that is my leash and walking advice. I know our girls are so close in age that it is nice to be able to see and watch them go through these things together.
Hope you start getting more sleep!!!
Jenny
