Crying/howling/shrieking puppy

[lucysmom]

Lucy is 10 weeks old now and is doing pretty well; she sleeps in the crate okay and rarely has accidents in the apartment. There's just one problem (or two if you count all the chewing and biting): she howls long and hard. It's the most awful, heartbreaking noise I've ever heard. She does it when we leave her, but only for a few minutes (I've stood outside to listen). It's much worse when we're home but have to put her in the pen because we can't keep watch over her. She just hates to be ignored. She has a soft bed in the pen, along with water and three of her favorite toys. We try hard not to make eye contact or acknowledge the screaming in any way, but it doesn't really seem to help. Any suggestions? Or words of encouragement?

[Boykins]

Hi Lucysmom,

Sounds like you have a pretty normal Frenchie puppy on your hands! Your description of things sounds a lot like how Boykins was when we first got her.

We picked her up in July 2006 when she was about 13 weeks old. It took some time for her to adjust to the crate, especially those times we had to put her in there so we could take care of something in the house. And you're right: some of the sounds they make are terrifically heartbreaking!

These days, she's just fine in there, she's fine when we leave (usually - we still get the rare outburst), and she's super-excited when we get home.

Hang in there. As your girl gets used to things, I have a feeling things will get better. ;)

[yomshanti]

My Winston is a howler, but, like Boykins it was much worse when he was a puppy. He still does it when he feels he's being ignored or I go out to check the mail and lock the door behind me. It is pitiful and breaks your heart. Winston also does this funny noise where he actually sounds like he's talking. I went to Frenchie Fun Camp in August and he cracked everyone up. They said that I could train him to speak...It's hard to describe it. To me it sounds like "Ah woo woo woo" but I guess if you listen closely it could resemble speech.

Well, hang in there.

Diane

[lucysmom]

Thanks for the words of encouragement! I'm relieved to hear this is normal behavior for a Frenchie, since I had never heard one bark. She really does sound like a cross between a parrot and a toddler!

[imogene]

some frenchies bark - other are gifted with the death yodel. My two learned to bark, but yodel for a week or two when they were pup.
Just don't give in- we left Sam in the care of my sister in-law for an afternoon when he was a pup. She caved and he learn that crying = out. The next day when we crated him he cried, and when that didn't work he peed. It took up month to re-train him. It was very frustrating.

[rebecca23]

Hi,
Jake is 5 months old now and still does that crazy howling/whining! He does it when he wants out of his crate...usually just for attention. Despite the fact we totally ignore him until he's quiet, he still does it. I think it's his way of protesting! He barks at times too though. He seems to save the whining/whimpering for trying to get out of his crate because it sounds the most pathetic and he thinks we'll give in. It's hard, but you really do just have to ignore it. It is a normal frenchie sound though and sometimes it's really hard not to laugh at it! It is the strangest sound! Good luck! Jake has quieted down a lot from when we first got him, so it does get better!!
-Rebecca