Hi everyone,

I have just joined the site!!

I am in no way a dog expert (I wish I was) but do think I have a fair bit of knowledge and have 3 gorgeous adult Staffordshire Bull Terriers of my own which I idolise.

One of them, Sacha, gave birth to 6 gorgeous pups this year and I have now decided to keep one of the litter. (I also have the dad Paisley who is off to the vets this week so this really has been his one and only chance at fatherhood lol).

Sacha was pretty poorly around the time the pups were just over 5 weeks old, she was worn out, very sore and bleeding when the pups were trying to get milk off her although at this stage pups were on solids and didnt need to get milk as often she still kept getting in the box and feeding them and making herself worse, she was a brilliant mom.

Following vets advice and because the pups were doing so well he agreed that 4 of the litter could be rehoused (these were all going to friends and family so there was also the reassurance that if there were any problems they could bring them back immediately but I do appreciate this was very early to move them on), the 5th pup also went a week later to my mom so again another close and known person.

As a little background, When Sacha was 10-11 months old she was the puppy from hell and I had to make the decision whether to part with her or to buy a crate for her!! Thankfully, I chose the crate and I have to say it was the making of her and she is now a well behaved dog (although still a little over excited when we have visitors).

Following the success story with Sacha, I purchased another crate for her pup Mika. The crate is lovely and comfortable for her, it has a padded cushion and bankets at the one side with some newspaper at one end, she has a couple of toys and a ball to play with BUT she is not at all happy!! She is fine if she goes in there by choice, a few times I have gone into the kitchen and she is curled up asleep in there (with the cage door open) and yet when I have put her in for me to come out of the house she goes mad, howling, crying, barking and totally shreds the newspaper that is down. My daughter put her in the crate this morning as she needed to go out for a driving lesson, 2 hours later she returned and could hear Mika howling before she had even got out of the car ... she has fine lungs on her!!

Does anyone have any suggestions, I have never encountered anything like this and am unable to avoid having to put her in the crate at some stage as I have to go out. I'm tempted to just leave her cry in the hope that it is only short term and she will fall asleep but I know my neighbours will be very unimpressed with that!! I'm also wondering if her brothers and sisters leaving the litter at an earlier age that usual could be an issue.

I have just been to the local pet shop and brought her a Kong and various fillings to put in it so will try that when I get home but really could do with some help.

Sorry for my first post being such a lengthy one .... I promise I will try and keep it brief next time

Jo

From what I have read, the puppies haven't been apart that long? Can you put mom and pup together more?
It could be, that the crate is just too big, and she feels trapped in a small room. I know that it can get expensive, but I would recommend a smaller crate, and buy bigger when she needs it.
Of course, no soothing, when she is howling, as that just encourages her to keep up that racket.
I would start at the beginning again, and try to make the crate pleasing to her. Feed her in there, and toss treats, when she goes in, shut the door, wait 2-4 seconds, and open it with a lot of praise. Keep that up with a bit more time, and things should start to improve.