camille Posted August 30, 2013 Share Posted August 30, 2013 (edited) Hi All, I know it's been asked over and over, but I'm still confused and concerned... I have just bought a 10 week old whippet. We had planned on confining him outside when we head to work, in an area that will be undercover, and have partial sun/partial shade. We placed him out there today and walked inside, gave him a super tasty treat, and he screamed so loudly straight away that I'm now rethinking my plans. He follows us everywhere, is in a crate at night in our room and after an initial whine is doing just fine overnight. We don't use the crate during the day for confinement and I'd prefer to keep it that way. So, do I just need to be tough and let him whine away? I hate the thought if upsetting all our neighbours and that has me really stressed. Or would I be best to try to set something up so he can have a small area inside as well? Would that possibly keep him a little happier and less likely to get so upset? I would like to let him still get outside as he is doing really well with his toilet training and don't particularly like the idea of having him only inside and needing to then set up an inside toilet. Should I be moving him to another area overnight as well, to get him used to being alone? We've only had him for 3 days. Please help..... Edited August 30, 2013 by camille Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YvonneM Posted August 30, 2013 Share Posted August 30, 2013 Did you go right back out to him as soon as he made a fuss? I'd try leaving him outside for short periods extending slowly to longer periods and see how he goes. My puppy is now 6 months (maltese - so little dog) and he has access to indoors and outdoors via a doggy door 24/7 - initially I set up an area with a doggy play pen around the outdoor section and and limited his access to just the family room and kitchen indoors - hard surfaces to easy to clean in the case of accidents. He has slept in our bedroom in his crate from day one and I don't intend to change that arrangement - if you like it that way and it works for you and your pup - why change? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dame Aussie Posted August 30, 2013 Share Posted August 30, 2013 (edited) Could you install a doggy door? That way he can go outside to the toilet but also have the option of being inside, in whatever area you confine him to. Re the whining/screaming, if your neighbors are approachable maybe you could tell then you have a new puppy and he could be a bit noisy for the first week or two as he gets used to the new environment. Maybe buy them a box of chocolates to apologise in advance :laugh: I would have him sleep as you intend to continue. If you want him to sleep in your bedroom in the future then do so now too, if not then get him used to being away from you now. Pictures please :) Edited August 30, 2013 by Aussie3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest donatella Posted August 30, 2013 Share Posted August 30, 2013 I always get nervous about leaving pups outside for fear of theft but then again I am overly paranoid about that for some unknown reason!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
camille Posted August 30, 2013 Author Share Posted August 30, 2013 Did you go right back out to him as soon as he made a fuss? I'd try leaving him outside for short periods extending slowly to longer periods and see how he goes. My puppy is now 6 months (maltese - so little dog) and he has access to indoors and outdoors via a doggy door 24/7 - initially I set up an area with a doggy play pen around the outdoor section and and limited his access to just the family room and kitchen indoors - hard surfaces to easy to clean in the case of accidents. He has slept in our bedroom in his crate from day one and I don't intend to change that arrangement - if you like it that way and it works for you and your pup - why change? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
camille Posted August 30, 2013 Author Share Posted August 30, 2013 Hi, yes we did, I told my husband to leave him as I know that the idea is to wait until he's quiet, but he was so loud! We live on waterfront, and the noise travels so much. It was the noise that bothered us most to tell you the truth... The doggy door is an option, however the adjacent neighbours have a cattle dog and a friend told me that the cattle dog might bark knowing that our pup is there and it might stress him, which is why we've gone for our current setup plan. The doggy door could be put on our laundry door, so he could be confined to that space, and the noise wouldn't travel as much - the only real issue being the other dog! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
camille Posted August 30, 2013 Author Share Posted August 30, 2013 Could you install a doggy door? That way he can go outside to the toilet but also have the option of being inside, in whatever area you confine him to. Re the whining/screaming, if your neighbors are approachable maybe you could tell then you have a new puppy and he could be a bit noisy for the first week or two as he gets used to the new environment. Maybe buy them a box of chocolates to apologise in advance :laugh: I would have him sleep as you intend to continue. If you want him to sleep in your bedroom in the future then do so now too, if not then get him used to being away from you now. Pictures please :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
camille Posted August 30, 2013 Author Share Posted August 30, 2013 Yes, I'm thinking we need the doggy door, he loves being inside! To tell you the truth it's the only one time we've tried him in his proposed area... I'll post a photo tomorrow, he's such a lovely boy. I just hope I don't let him down... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
camille Posted August 30, 2013 Author Share Posted August 30, 2013 I always get nervous about leaving pups outside for fear of theft but then again I am overly paranoid about that for some unknown reason!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
camille Posted August 30, 2013 Author Share Posted August 30, 2013 The area we're proposing is at the back of the house, so not visible at all from the street. But I certainly appreciate your point, there are plenty of lowlifes out there who do such things... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meggie Posted August 30, 2013 Share Posted August 30, 2013 (edited) Not uncommon for whippets to dislike being alone in the back yard, especially a new baby. They do like to be with their people. I have never had a pup alone though, so not an expert. Mine have a doggy door which suits my velcro rescue boy as he wants to be with us in the house or outside with our other whippet. Doggy door so he is not locked outside might be the solution for your boy too. Suggest you ask in the whippet thread: http://www.dolforums...things-whippet/ Look forward to seeing pics - such lovely little dogs. ETA: Meant to ask about how housetrained he is. Mine were pretty reliable by 4 months. Edited August 30, 2013 by meggie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christina Posted August 30, 2013 Share Posted August 30, 2013 I wouldn't leave a pup outside when out. Theft & pups can wriggle through places or get stuck in places you would never imagine. What about a safe, pup proof room that's blocked off or has the door closed like the kitchen or a spare bedroom. The alternative is a large pen. 2 packs of Bunnings compost panels will make a nice spacious safe area & only costs around $50. You will need to set up paper, training pads or a dog loo for him as he is too young to hold on for hours but that doesn't mean he won't be house trained. I could never relax going out & leaving a young puppy outside alone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
camille Posted August 31, 2013 Author Share Posted August 31, 2013 Thanks again for your replies, I went to the vet today and had a discussion with them, and we feel that we'll go for the laundry option and doggy door. The outside area will be confined (thanks for the bunnings suggestion) so that he can head out if he chooses to for a wee. It is down the side of the house and away from prying eyes. We're feeling much better about this option. This morning I tried him in the laundry, with his crate and chew toys, and quietly stayed in my room to see the result. He was whining for about 10 or so minutes, then silence. I left him in there for about half an hour and when I went to get him he was fast asleep and seemed okay about it all. He's going really well with the toilet training side of things, and is pretty much going on command. My husband thinks I'm worrying about it all a little too much! Thanks again for all your suggestions... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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