I have just got my new puppy so yes it's early days. I'm sat up at daft o clock as he's howling as he won't sleep on his own. I have him downstairs, made up his bed which is a fur blanket. I have not come down when he howls only when he's howled for some time. The minute I'm down he's shut up. I'm wondering the best advice regards leaving him on his own to sleep. I will not use a crate. I don't want him in my room sleeping with me as I made that mistake years ago and completely lost my bed. What the best way to get him settled so he sleeps downstairs.

If you aren't going to crate you may still opt to make him a den area. Dogs like being under things. It helps them feel safe. You can also leave a radio on low. Some dogs like the sound, especially if yours is a household that usually has a TV on in the background.

Well I didn't get much sleep lol. I've got him a basket put some fur blankets in he's laid on the floor and my other dogs in the basket. I'm hoping tonight might be a better night.

The dog is testing you. He wants attention, he wants to be near you. So he howls for attention. If you give in, he is taught to howl to get your attention. Stick to your guns and you'll break his habit and he'll learn that it's bed time and you aren't coming.

"I made that mistake years ago and completely lost my bed."

Made me laugh; wife and I spent the better part of 6-years sandwiched between 2-golden retrievers, before we finally decided that enough was enough. Consistency, and reward for good behavior was our key to breaking a bad habit that we taught them, and now, our newest baby is being taught that her place is the living room floor, next to the couch.

My wife stays up late during the weeknights, so she can get her final puppy play out of the way, before curling up next to the couch, while I have spent the weekends with her.

To test this, on Saturday night we brought her into the bedroom, turned out the lights, and she cried. As soon as we opened up the door, she went straight into the living room and curled up next to the couch, her safe spot, and slept just fine.

They need to feel safe, and need you to be their protector while they are getting use to the new environment. We chose to sacrifice some of our time now, and sleep on the couch to allow our new baby some time to feel safe in the living room. As you stated, if you allow them to have a free run, they will choose to kick you out of your own bed. If you give up, they win.

Something you can do to made the whole ordeal easier on yourself would be to put your dog to sleep at least an hour before you go to bed. That way he'll be more likely to calm down by the time you're ready to sleep and he probably wont keep you up as much. The only time you should approach your dog after putting him to bed is for scheduled bathroom breaks or if he isn't causing a racket. If you approach him while he's crying, irregardless of how long, it will just reinforce the behavior. Also familiarizing the environment is a good idea as twister2 suggested. Things like wrapping a warm bottle of water in a blanket, having a familiar piece of clothing or toy from his original kennel, or playing something low energy and calming like the radio/classical music in the background may help.

You could also invest in a pair of Bose Quiet Comfort 35s and enjoy the sweet relief provided by active noise cancellation.

We have a TV in the dog's bedroom. It is usually tuned to Animal Planet, but any station will do. They enjoy the comfort of the background noise.