Hi all,

Firstly, apologies if this topic has been covered, I couldn't find it but I'm certain it's not uncommon.

We've had our 12 wk old Cav pup for just over a week now and she's been great with house training, she sleeps well at night and she's generally a happy little pup. The real problem that we have with her however is that she's unbelievably needy.

I'm well aware that CKCs require more attention and affection than most but we can't leave her for even a second without her running after us. Alternatively, if she's in her puppy pen she'll just scream for 15/20 minutes instead.

We've tried to leave her for very short periods to show that we are coming back but that's not getting through at all. She only plays when we're right next to her and immediately stops if you leave the room, she's also only ever content and calm when she's sitting on our laps.....which has its issues when you can't dedicate your entire day to sitting on the floor, or if you need her to calm down enough to concentrate on doing her business outside.

We're currently completely ignoring the crying and jumping up and only acknowledging her when she's calmed down. I'd like to say that this is gradually working but I'm not sure it's any different to the first day - She's always ready for more play and affection, and tends to sleep with one eye open just in case.

Any ideas of how to calm her down would be really very welcome. The playtime is great but there really needs to be some down time too, for her and our sakes!

Thanks in advance,
Andy

When she goes 'to bed' for downtime give her a high value chew object ( I use hoof but you need to find what she considers high value)
and get her to see that this is an opportunity not a punishment.
Always take the prized object away and only use for this purpose.
Soon she'll be running to her 'opportunity break'.

As for wanting to be on your lap all the time...... well shes doing what is says on the tin

They are very much a companion breed aren't they! I have the same thing with my 3 month Cavalier puppy, she's generally ok if in the room with the other dogs, but if I want to give them a break from her, like you say you get the screaming for 5 / 10 minutes before she gives up. Keep trying with the short breaks, and make sure she has stuff to chew on when you leave her. Perhaps one of those toy things you can get for orphan puppies that you can put ticking clocks or hot water bottles in might help?? If you find something that works besides buying another dog to keep her company, do let me know! I once asked a breeder of about 40 years experience how to stop the whinging when they don't get their way, and his reply was 'give in'!

My youngest cav poppy was just like this as a puppy and she had other cavs for company! Sounds like you are doing the right things but as lucydogs said they are very much a companion breed.Continue to do as you are and as she gets older and knows the daily routine then hopefully she will settle down and relax a bit more. Give her a kong or something tasty to nibble on when you leave her and build up the time gradually that she is alone. Also as you have only had her a week she will still be getting used to being seperated from her littermates and routine she previously knew.She is doing well in settling at night so you are doing everything well by the sound of things

Have to say that poppy is now seven and still follows me around the house at times  whereas Tom my older cav just sleeps for england all day long. Cavs are wonderful dogs and I couldn't imagine life without one or two.Now if you really don't want to be followed around all day long then never ever get a japanese chin!!

Also if you haven't got one then invest in a stair gate as then pup can still see  you if say your'e in an adjoining room and not feel abandoned . I had to buy the mesh type with the chins as even now as adults they can squeeze through the normal metal type.

Thanks everyone, it's nice to have some reassurance that our current routine isn't barking up the wrong tree as it were!

I also asked the breeder and the vet who gave the same advice as in LucyDogs case - Give in. It seems to be the general opinion with Cavs but I suspect it's just going to make her even more crazy for attention....She's already first to the seat before I sit down, I'm going to accidently flatten her if she doesn't calm down a bit!

Thanks for the advice with treats too. She has a kong which entertains her for all of a minute and a chicken flavoured bone thing which she loves when the mood is right. We're using both to reinforce some calm occasionally but a hug and storming around the house tends to quickly become the main focus given half a chance.

I've just ordered an Adaptil calming plug-in so hopefully that might help too.

Did you all crate your puppies out of interest? I wouldn't mind her following me around if she eventually didn't want to destroy/swallow everything everytime she's out, keeping her from killing herself is mentally exhausting...gates dont work, the screaming starts again (Although all this might just come as part of being a puppy?!)

Thanks again,
Andy

A lot of it's part of being a puppy. My 18 month old still follows me everywhere, but has learned not to try to destroy herself. My 7 year old is a bit deaf now, so she's the most likely to stay snoozing on the sofa instead of following me. But you do need to get used to having company everywhere, even in the toilet if you don't close the door. And if you do, you have long sniffs and sad whimpers. I keep promising them that someone my size is very unlikely to try to go out the window! She will calm down and realise that she can't be with you every second of the day eventually!

Looks like I'm going to have to be patient...even more so with a cavalier I guess

The length of time barking seems to get very slightly shorter each time (or I shut off sooner) so hopefully she'll just get bored of being ignored and relax - It looks like really hard work barking every time you're alone!

Thanks for the comments.

We thought we might be getting somewhere but the crying, constant moaning whenever we need some quiet and excessive excitement has, I'm afraid to say, become too much. I think it's probably another week maybe then we've got to find her another home

Poor little puppy.

Contact the breeder straight away.  They'll probably be glad to have their puppy back rather than her be passed on.

I can't believe you are wanting to rehome this pup so quickly, some puppies/ breeds are more clingy, they are not puppies for long so you should enjoy it, I use any excuse to play with my pups and ignore the chores, they learn very quickly and it is great to see them doing new things to please you.

I agree if you can no longer keep the pup then the breeder should be your first port of call so they get the chance to find it a new home and therefore know where it is living.

Apologies, that was purely out of frustration yesterday, She's a wonderful little girl and she's certainly stuck with us for good!

I just need to work out some way to calm her down occasionally now...she's going to hurt herself if she keeps that pace up! We'll crack it eventually!

Apologies again for the concern

She was with the breeder for 11 weeks and has been with you for just over a week - you must allow her time to settle and for you to learn how to manage her.  I think we all have these moments with puppies of any breed - they're hard work!

Where is she with her injections?  It's good idea to keep her busy - not with walking exercise but outings that allow her to experience lots of new sights, sounds and smells.  She does need to extend her interest beyond you but as you and others have said - she is doing exactly what her breed is known for!  I'd get her signed up for a good puppy class too as soon as you can.  Have a look at The Association of Pet Dog Trainers website for someone nearby.  A training class is a great way for you to learn how to keep her brain busy and receive some practical advice about how to manage her.

Try and work with her timings as much as you can - puppies have a pretty good rhythm associated with eating and sleeping, so you can plan your activities around her snooze times.  Some pups need more help to learn to sleep quietly but do carry on with leaving her little and often (single minutes to start with - and use a timer).  Walk in and out of doors, closing them behind you, then straight back in without acknowledging her.  I'd spend several days constantly moving - to allow her to learn that this is what happens in your house.  I have a breed of dog that would follow me to the loo if allowed (or camp outside the door!) and I just use baby gates and closed doors to reinforce that following me isn't very peaceful - even the most persistent puppy soon gets a bit bored with getting up and down every single time I move

In regards to her injections, she only had her first last week.  We were under the impression that she had her first at 8 weeks but the vet informed us otherwise. This obviously added a lot to our frustrations (hers and ours) because she can't go for walks and play with the dog next door, who she's very keen to meet! for about another 3 weeks.  Once we can get her out and about I'm sure things will get much better

She's booked in for some very good puppy classes as of tomorrow actually but we're now concerned that with only 1 vaccination we may be taking a risk - the trainer assures us it's fine but I'm still unsure.

We're still sticking to coming and going and ignoring her when she cries but as the screaming has become much more desperate of late (and within seconds of leaving her) we're really only relaxed about it when she's fast asleep. Not an ideal situation for real life obviously

I'm sure things will improve, although as you have choosen a companion breed it looks very much like she knows exactly what she was bred for!  To be your companion lol..

Our standard poodle pup is 13 months old now and while not a companion breed as such (not a lap dog) they absolutely adore company.  Whatever room I am in, she is in, if I'm in the bathroom she is camped outside the door.  If I reach down to get something from a cupboard her head is right in the cupboard at the same time!  Some days I swear there is three of her, where ever I turn she is there by stealth.  She is incredibly nosey and no matter what is happening in the house she is there investicating and emm 'helping' she was staring into a cement mixer yesterday as we are having some work done outside.  The builders are aware of their 'watcher' and as the plumber is a personal friend she is allowed to follow him from room to room.

I love my shadow and you will love this too, it can be a little intense at times.  Maybe she is missing the hussle and bussle of the breeders house and she needs reasurrance that you will always be there, afterall she has just been put in a new home and it will take time before she really settles, relaxes and becomes her true self.  Good luck, much as I loved my puppy I love her more she is grown up!

Sorry to hear she's still a pest! I know how you feel with the moments of desperation - hang in there! With my first two (I got 2 at once, never again) if the breeder had phoned 2 days after I'd have begged them to take them back - not from any one huge problem, but just the enormity of the responsibility, lol! Luckily I got over it and never looked back. I wouldn't worry too much about only having had one shot - all the other puppies in the class will have had theirs, and if it's a good class they won't be doing huge amounts of interaction, no free-for-alls or anything. It's mainly public areas where unvaccinated dogs might have been that are the thing to avoid. With the screaming, I'm not sure what else to suggest - have you tried some sort of toy that you can stuff with a hot water bottle or a ticking clock? Does she know the word 'no' yet? My 3 month puppy doesn't entirely stop the shrieking forever, but will quiet down to some extent if I shout 'Lottie No' firmly (not angrily) and then ignore her again. She just has to learn that she can't be on my lap 24/7! With the overexcitement, this can be a sign that she's played enough and needs sleep - if I contain Lottie when she goes manic (on my lap, sigh, as in another room doesn't work!) then she will often drop off to sleep after a few minutes biting!

Hanging in there is becoming slightly easier as she gradually (very gradually!) gets the idea.  She, like any pup I suppose has selective hearing so whilst she knows full well what 'leave it' and 'no' means she will still choose to take her chances if she's particularly hyper.

We've also been working hard on the ignoring thing as saying no could very quickly turn into a game.  If I stand up, arms crossed (probably a bit dramatic...) then she now stops what shes doing and waits for me to acknowledge her again when she's calm. If that doesn't work I leave the room which is no fun for her at all so seems to work for the minute.

We haven't done the ticking clock thing but I hear it's worth a try. We did try the water bottle though and that just became something else to chew apart so that's been retired already.  I think you're quite right about being over tired sometimes though, we commented on that yesterday actually as she was storming around like a child full of E-numbers but when we got her to sit down with us she fell asleep within minutes.

Andy, you mentioned E numbers, do you have her on a decent food?  Hopefully nothing with E numbers

Sorry to hear you're finding your pup hard work at the moment.

I would suggest that you could take her on short trips in the car, you can carry her in public places, but that doesn't mean she can't go for socialisation (sights, smells, noise etc). As far as the dog next door, I don't see any reason why she couldn't go and play, after all, I have two adult dogs and last year had a puppy who was mixing with the adults before her vacs were finished. Its mainly public places which you need to avoid until the vaccinations are completed.

Your pup needs to learn that interaction and attention is on YOUR terms, not the other way around. She does sound a little unsure bless her. Does she sleep in a crate and if so, is she sleeping at night close to you? It sounds like she's having trouble being on her own. Do you spend short sessions throughout the day with training and playing with her? So long as she is getting attention some of the time, I don't see any problem in you ignoring her when she's acting up. I use child gates, but mainly for preventing the dogs from getting up the stairs.

As for her chewing the hot water bottle, there is a microwavable heatpad (Snugglesafe) which has a plastic outer shell. This would go under her bedding and make it cozy for her. Might be worth a try.

Hope things improve soon for you and her, she'll settle soon enough I'm sure.

How does the OP manage to be in the UK and Germany lol ?! Hope things are steadily improving, nothing to add to what has already been said, you have been given sound advice.

Thanks for all the comments, they really help.

She's doing a bit better these days, still completely fixed on following us and whining is she's required to stay behind in her crate but it's not as painful as before and provided she's calm there's occasionally periods where she doesn't mind having a little bit of down time.

She's really good with clicker training now and loves it (mainly because she gets to eat I'm sure!) so we use that whenever we need her to focus. 

There's still a way to go but aside from a couple of hours in the evenings now, when she's clearly tired but still wants to play, she's fine.

Oh, and Multitask - no we definitely don't give her anything with E-numbers in it. She's on the best stuff possible, there's no way I'm tempting fate with anything less!

Hi. I believe, just like myself, it is something you will have to learn to live with to some extent My dog whines and crys alot, its the whippet in her i believe, and sounds like CKC are similar in that aspect. I also believe when u are able to start walking her things will improve, for one she want be so full on energy wise in the house and another she will be to worn out to constantly whine or follow you about, and so although you will still prob have that behavour she will give up alot quicker

If she does get OTT sometimes with racing you to your seat for cuddles or to curl up on you, then start annoying her, sit down, when she comes nd is bout to settle, get up and move somewhere else, repeat and repeat untill she see's that wanting to be with you all the time is actually a pain in the bum, and its much better to go curl up in her own space and have you come to her and then she gets cuddles Again im not expert and am new to all this so that may not be v.good advice haha But It worked for me to some extent, with mine, if she comes to my sofa as soon as I sit down, I pretend to do something ie stretch out and so am blocking her with my legs from jumping up (ignoring her aswell), if she tries to getup another way I do the same, and so I am not always telling her 'no' or 'off' (as for her that is attention in itself which please her and thas why she keeps coming back every min) I am merely showing I am ignoring her and that I have not aknowldged she is there I am just doing my own thing, and she gets so annoyed that she is being blocked and ignored that she gives up and goes into her bed.

But well done with all the work so far, I no how frustrating it is, I have felt like giving up at times, but you sound really responsibily and smart and I bet you get a good result if you persist

I'm glad it's all settling down now - now, if you could just teach Lottie to stop shrieking her head off when she gets put in the large crate. She can't be loose with the others just yet, George is wearing a cone, and also she chewed the corner of the wall last time we tried it!

You're quite right, any acknowledgement of the jumping up, barking, whining etc just makes it last longer. We just completely ignore it and I actually realised yesterday that I no longer notice how long it went on for because I was busy carrying on with my life

We have slightly given in to her wanting to cuddle on our laps though....She's a Cavalier so that one seemed futile!

And as for Lottie's shrieking LucyDogs, I'm afraid I'm none the wiser. It really sounds like they're being attacked. The only thing that has even slightly helped is to walk ours around the entire house regularly (on leash) so that she realises there's no brilliant party going on and there's no doggy treat mountain anywhere in the house. Now she knows it's actually a bit dull for a puppy she's more content to stay where she's put

I try to completely ignore it, but hubby isn't very good at it. I keep telling him it's the only thing that will work. :rolleyes: I must say I've never heard a noise as horrible as the one Lottie makes, it really makes me realise how lucky we were with Henry's pathetic whining and Ellie & Hetty's impatient little yaps!