My puppy is crying. What do I do? Should I pick them up?
It’s a good question. At Paws in Work we’re always aware of the needs of the puppies who come with us to our events and understanding what’s going on when they whimper or cry is important to helping them develop.
Why do puppies cry?
Crying is the earliest form of communication that your puppy learns, and you should always respond when there is a genuine reason for the crying. Is your puppy hungry or thirsty? Do they need the toilet? You should never leave a puppy to cry when they are in need of the basics, or this can cause difficulties with training later.
Your puppy may cry when they are left alone, perhaps if you’re elsewhere in the home or asleep. This is where it can be tough not to give in to their little whimpering voices and go and comfort them, as doing so can lead to them crying for attention in future. The Labrador Site mention the two types of crying in puppies, namely learned crying and natural crying. Natural crying is what happens when the puppy is frightened or otherwise distressed, and learned crying is what comes when the puppy starts to associate crying with receiving attention or treats.
How do i stop my puppy crying?
Once you understand why they are crying, you can decide how to approach it.
Make sure they’re comfortable and warm and have their things around them. If they continue to cry for a long time, then there may well be something you need to help them with. If you do go and check, limit your time with them. Check if they need the toilet or if they are hurt, then settle your puppy again and leave. If they start up again, as hard as it may seem, leave them alone. You could try things like allowing your puppy to sleep closer to you at first so they can hear you and feel less alone. You can then gradually move their bed towards its permanent spot as they get used to this.
Crate training can also help. This is where a puppy is gradually introduced to a puppy crate, which they will soon associate with being comfortable and safe. Make a crate inviting for them, with a comfy blanket and a familiar toy in there to encourage your pup to give it a try. Pop the crate somewhere quiet and out of the way so your puppy can feel secure in their special place. Crate training can reassure them very well, and it’s something we employ at Paws in Work.
Gradually build up the length of time they are alone. This way your little friend will adjust easier to being alone. Being alone or having to sleep alone at night can be trigger points for crying, but if you give them the right atmosphere, they can learn that it’s not so scary. This may result in some periods of crying, but they will tire of it after a while. Crate training can give them the reassurance of personal space and help them to adjust gently.
When travelling in puppy crates to Paws in Work events, we ensure that all of the pups are settled, comfortable and having a positive experience on their first journeys...the majority just snooze the trip away! Any pups that may whimper during travel are kept at ease by our team, who are always on hand to offer them a settling stroke. Paws in Work vehicles are modified so that the team are sat next to the crates to offer reassurance whenever it’s needed during travel.
Paws in Work staff make sure we always follow the cues of the pups we bring to play at our events, and if one of our pups needs something, that’s absolutely our priority. Their socialisation and well-being are the heart of our work, and while the strings of that heart may be tugged at by crying, you can soon learn to completely understand your canine pal’s needs.
Paws in Work offer a specialist puppy therapy service for companies looking to improve their staff well-being, combat stress and encourage team bonding.
We bring a litter of loveable puppies along to your office, giving team members a chance to get away from their desks and relax for a brief moment, before returning to their day, better equipped to focus on their work and with smiles on their faces.
With scientific studies showing a positive effect on decreasing blood pressure and reduced cortisol levels, interacting with a pet is something that has a proven benefit to the well-being of any individual.
Our bespoke events are executed in the most creative of ways, guaranteed to leave staff feeling refreshed, re-focussed and re-energised, ready to return and execute their best work.
If you’d like to know anything about how our days are run, how we look after our pups or anything else, take a look at our FAQ's
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Looking for more puppy tips? We've got plenty of blogs to help:
How to stop your puppy biting.
How to overcome your puppies fears.
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We know all about the excitement of a new puppy coming to live with you in their forever home, but this transition needs to happen at a point in their development where the puppy will be able to adjust properly.
How to overcome your puppy’s fears
Even when they are given all of the love in the world, your puppy friend may well show some signs of anxiety in certain situations. Let’s have a look at some of the most common things a puppy might be fretting about.
How and when to socialise your puppy
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