Barking in the night.

[Boogie]

Spencer is seven months old and has slept really well at night, until now.

Last Friday he had his kennel cough immunisation, then on Monday and Tuesday he had several bouts of diarrhoea during the night. He barked to let me know and let him out, which was good - no mess indoors. The diarrhoea has gone now and he’s back to normal.

Except that, in summoning me because he needed out he has learned that barking summons me!

Last night I ignored it, he did it every two hours. It’s not a distressed bark or a cry, just a ‘woof woof, I’m here - why aren’t you?’
I don’t have the option to bring him upstairs as he’s not allowed upstairs at all.

Tatze just sleeps through everything, as always. She knows morning is 7.30am and doesn’t even open her eyes until then.

I can’t get up before him and slowly lengthen the time as his timing is utterly unpredictable. Last night he started a 2am, the night before it was midnight. Then he starts again every two hours. Last night I ignored him, each bout of barking lasted about half an hour.

He’s fine going to bed and being left during the day for an hour or so.

Help!

 

[Anne123]

In my experience with the barking at night is that something was seen and they wanted to warn me....mice....?

 

[Boogie]

In my experience with the barking at night is that something was seen and they wanted to warn me....mice....?

Interesting idea - I will check the cupboards!

 

[kateincornwall]

I would try and stick it out Mags, if I were you . They soon get into the habit of summoning us and so any reaction is worth a try ! I know its tough , I have horrible neighbours who would complain at the drop of a hat , and get paranoid about dogs barking in unsociable hours , its not easy . Hoping Spencer settles back into his routine soon, for your sanity sake xxxx

 

[Cath]

I agree with Kate. Try and stick it out.

 

[Boogie]

Yes, I will stick it out.

Neither Mr Boogs nor my brother even woke up!

I’m wondering whether to be norty and let him in with Tatze. She won’t mind at all - and trainee Guide Dogs are always in with another dog at Big School so I don’t really think I’m starting a habit that would be unsolvable - it’s not as if he’s a tiny baby
.

 

[kateincornwall]

Yes, I will stick it out.

Neither Mr Boogs nor my brother even woke up!

I’m wondering whether to be norty and let him in with Tatze. She won’t mind at all - and trainee Guide Dogs are always in with another dog at Big School so I don’t really think I’m starting a habit that would be unsolvable - it’s not as if he’s a tiny baby
.

Wouldn't hurt then would it ? x

 

[Boogie]

I phoned my supervisor and she agreed that it’s learned behaviour and unlikely to be anxiety.

So she’s suggested I completely ignore all barking and have a set getting up time every day - I’ve decided on 7am. She’s also suggested less evening snoozing - that makes sense, so I’ve got a plan for an hour’s training/snuffle mat/play etc from 8.30pm to 9.30pm.

She’s warned it could take a couple of weeks or more before he accepts the new regime! She reckons getting up to him in the morning has caused this - but she understands it’s a balance when they are not quite ‘dry’ and need an early wee.

She also puts it down to some extent adolescence - one minute a big brave boy and the next a mummy’s boy.

 

[M.F.]

Is this a possible option: your sleeping downstairs with him for a while till he sleeps through the night?

 

[Boogie]

Is this a possible option: your sleeping downstairs with him for a while till he sleeps through the night?

I don’t think so, I think it would be another hard habit to break?
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[snowbunny]

Shadow went through the same thing about this age, or maybe a touch earlier. Living in an apartment, I couldn't have him barking. In the end what worked for me was I got up and told him "bed time" and walked out again. It was a bit tiresome having to do that at 5am, but it didn't last long and was all it needed.

If you can ignore it, I'm sure that will work, too. Squidge started again with wanting to go out in the early hours after she had an icky tum and I started responding to her cries - because I had little choice. It's so difficult when they're crying because they need to go out. Every time it happens, she'll cry for a few nights afterwards and I just have to ignore her, then she'll settle down into the routine of sleeping until morning again.

 

[snowbunny]

Actually, that's a bit of a lie. If I ignore her, she escalates. So at the first little whine, I tell her to settle down and she will find a bed and harrumph into it

 

[Boogie]

Shadow went through the same thing about this age, or maybe a touch earlier. Living in an apartment, I couldn't have him barking. In the end what worked for me was I got up and told him "bed time" and walked out again. It was a bit tiresome having to do that at 5am, but it didn't last long and was all it needed.

If you can ignore it, I'm sure that will work, too. Squidge started again with wanting to go out in the early hours after she had an icky tum and I started responding to her cries - because I had little choice. It's so difficult when they're crying because they need to go out. Every time it happens, she'll cry for a few nights afterwards and I just have to ignore her, then she'll settle down into the routine of sleeping until morning again.

That’s good to hear!

Luckily we are detached and the neighbours won’t hear his shouts.
Spencer’s ‘I need the loo’ bark is very different form his ‘I’m awake, where are you?’ bark and I’m sure I’ll know which is which even in a befuddled sleepy state!
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[M.F.]

I don’t think so, I think it would be another hard habit to break?
.

I have no idea!! In my eyes, you’re the uber puppy expert! But I was sure I’d read it here when others had similar night-waking problems, hence my suggestion.

Per @snowbunny’s “bedtime”, we say “go sleepy” to Snowie when he sometimes gets up too early, and he usually flops down on his bed. But he’s in our bedroom, so we’re not having to get out of bed! But it’s tiring, and if there were a next time, I’d not have the dog in my bedroom—I’m so sleep deprived!!

 

[Boogie]

I have no idea!! In my eyes, you’re the uber puppy expert! But I was sure I’d read it here when others had similar night-waking problems, hence my suggestion.

Per @snowbunny’s “bedtime”, we say “go sleepy” to Snowie when he sometimes gets up too early, and he usually flops down on his bed. But he’s in our bedroom, so we’re not having to get out of bed! But it’s tiring, and if there were a next time, I’d not have the dog in my bedroom—I’m so sleep deprived!!

Nobody is an expert, every pup is different

Boogie slept in our room, on our bed, all his 19 years. But, as I’ve got older, I’ve become a much lighter sleeper so subsequent dogs have all slept downstairs.

.

 

[JES72]

Homer went through various phases of waking us up at night to go outside. Sometimes he’d need to do his business and sometimes just run around the garden. It was rather tiresome.

 

[FayRose]

Fingers crossed that little fella realises he's pushing his boundaries and keeps his chops shut tonight Adorable pup whatever though x

 

[Boogie]

He did bark last night, but only twice and not for long. But, come 6:30 he barked the house down, I just lay in bed waiting for 7am

But the kitchen was clean, dry and unharmed so we will continue the new regime. He’ll get used to it in the end.

 

[Cath]

He's getting there

 

[Boogie]

He’s definitely getting there. This morning he didn’t bark until 6am and that was a half hearted bark.
The message is getting through!

Hurrah hurrah hurrah - I’m starting to feel half human again!
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