Our new girl Dexi

[Benti]

Well we brought our girl home yesterday, she is sweet and loving. The poor thing screamed on and off all night in the crate. She was crated at the breeder with 2 other puppies and slept all night. Is this normal, I thought maybe she would cry and fall asleep for the night but this was not the case. Should I be concerned or is this normal behavior?

[tanza]

Totally Normal… remember she was sleeping with her littermates and now is by herself. Were is the crate? Should be in the bedroom with you and close to the bed so that you can dangle your fingers in the crate and let her know you are close by. Also, are you covering the crate? What kind of crate are you using....?

[eeeefarm]

Make sure she is warm enough! Basenjis do not like to be cold, and will definitely not have a restful night if they are. Several pups together will keep each other warm with body heat.

[Benti]

I have the crate in the kitchen, its a wire crate. I did not completely cover the front and left a light on, maybe I should cover the whole thing and keep it dark. If I put the crate in the bedroom I am afraid if I ever have to leave her overnight to go away she will panic.

[tanza]

@Benti:

I have the crate in the kitchen, its a wire crate. I did not completely cover the front and left a light on, maybe I should cover the whole thing and keep it dark. If I put the crate in the bedroom I am afraid if I ever have to leave her overnight to go away she will panic.

Not sure that I understand your reasoning…. Your puppy is used to having company near when sleeping at night.... she needs to be reasured that someone is close by.... I recommend that the crate be in the bedroom. Also, I would cover it and maybe just leave the front 1/2 uncovered. Also as noted needs to be in a warm place

[Janneke]

Welcome to the forum and congrats on your new family addition. The screaming when left completely alone sounds like very normal behaviour . I would also recommend to keep crate and pup in your bedroom at first. If she's crying a lot, you can even try to put your fingers through the wire, so she knows you're not too far away. You can imagine it's quite a scary thing to be taken from your home and litter mates and then put in a crate all alone at night..

If you would like to learn her to sleep alone in the kitchen at night, you can build that up by putting the crate a bit further from your bed everytime she has done alright the night before. This way she has more time to adjust and it will be less stressful for her.

[Benti]

thanks, I will try that.

[Benti]

Thanks for your advice!