Snowy Posted September 24, 2009 Share Posted September 24, 2009 OK, so the first few nights were to be expected. Lots of whimpering and the occasional woof. But it had started to improve, down to just a few minutes when she was shut in the kitchen then OK for the rest of the night. Now I'm sat here at silly o'clock because she woke me at 2am, 4am and 5am and I couldn't stand it any longer - one of us was going to suffer!!! She is a happy bunny now, she didn't want to go out, she is now asleep at my feet!! She has a cosy bed with one of my old Tshirts to snuggle up to. Any reassurance about when she is likely to come to terms with the fact that the kitchen is her bedroom? Also, the vet said she thinks she might be coming into season, could that explain it? The vet said to expect some changes but couldn't be specific! Oh the joys of new doggiehood! She's still an angel and I still love her, but I need some sleep! Bless her, I'm trying to darn the ends in on a crocheted blanket (what else do you do at 5am ) and she's in danger of getting a nose piercing, she's snuggled up so close! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seagazer Posted September 24, 2009 Share Posted September 24, 2009 Oh Snowy, no wonder you were awake before the dawn chorus I think you just have to sit it out and be very consistent and stick to your guns really. Thats what all the books tell you anyway. I know its much harder in life. I suppose its a bit like getting a toddler to stay in their bed all night. You know you're going to go through hell but it will be worth it in the end. I can be quite tough with the animals, the cats sleep in the kitchen, they have a couple of beds in there and access to the cat flap. Cookie used to sleep in her crate in the hallway but we've had her out of the crate for about a year now. She does, hurumph, tend to sleep on the settee but knows she's not allowed upstairs. The only time she tends to bark is if she needs to go out because she has an upset tummy etc. If you can try and ignore her, hard I know. Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted September 24, 2009 Share Posted September 24, 2009 As hard as it is you have to push through it We spoke to the neighbours and said that they would have a few nights of disturbed sleep but it would be better for all of us in the long term to push through it and ignore the noise We also put a blind over the lower half of our back door so there were no distractions from outside for the dog and so he had no reaon to bark It all worked and we have only had the odd woof since but thats only because the cats wind him up every now and again Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted September 24, 2009 Share Posted September 24, 2009 Oh poor you. Is she crate trained? I have found that a blanket over the crate works wonders. Expect all sorts of bedlam and a bit of a mess when she's in season, best restrict her to the kitchen to save any carpets you may have When Rubes was tiny I had her crate in my room with a blanket over it. I used a DAP spray to make her less edgy and she settled well with me sat by the crate ofr a few minutes. Once she was happy in it, I moved it down to the kitchen and she's happy in there all night, not a murmer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fluffyknickers Posted September 24, 2009 Share Posted September 24, 2009 DAP? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted September 24, 2009 Share Posted September 24, 2009 Dog Appeasment Pheromone It's a spray (you can get diffusers and collars too) which emits pheromones akin to the skin around the nipple of a suckling *err* female dog. very soothing and calming for dogs. Lots of vets recommend them for bonfire night. Snowy, have you tried leaving her with an old t shirt that you've worn? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fluffyknickers Posted September 24, 2009 Share Posted September 24, 2009 Oooh going to get some of that - assume pets at home do it. Thanks. Michelle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cooks Posted September 24, 2009 Share Posted September 24, 2009 some people swear by leaving a radio on low. I am not one for leaving the dogs downstairs myself 9not that theres anything wrong in it) but I let mine come up and sleep on the bottom of the beds. We are a very doggy family. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sunshine Posted September 24, 2009 Share Posted September 24, 2009 I too think sitting it out is the best way. It depends on what you want in the long run i guess ie. if you let her sleep in your room sometimes and suddenly stop she will get mixed messages. When we got poppy(our doggie before Lola) as a puppy we put her in a crate and she hated it, she barked all night and would get herself in a right state. Dad even threatened to move out!! I'm not actually sure what stopped her barking, we took her out of her crate but left her in the kitchen and it did stop. She never liked being left anywhere though. Lola is fantastic at night, she has always slept in the kitchen in the crate. The DAP spray sounds like a good idea though. Is she ok being left during the day and when you are out places? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted September 24, 2009 Author Share Posted September 24, 2009 Thanks all! She isn't in a crate - just has a cosy bed in the corner, and she does have one of my t shirts (I only gave it to her last night Maybe I'm not smelly enough ) Sadly the one thing that is not an option is to have her in the room - it would be lovely to be that laid back about it, but I've never let any of my dogs up the stairs (except for bath time!) There is enough mess and muck up there with out dog hairs as well! She isn't really left for long during the day as one of us is always around. If I have had to nip out without her, I listen at the door and have heard her woowooing (it isn't even a proper bark bless her! ). I think it is just that initial seperation anxiety - she is still new to us and desperately wants to be with us all the time. She's asleep on my feet right now! It's been suggested we do the later feed and late walk to help her to settle better so we have done that tonight. Hopefully last night was just a blip, plus I think because I had to be up for work this morning, I was more alert if you know what I mean. I don't have to be up so early tomorrow so will probably sleep through it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted September 24, 2009 Share Posted September 24, 2009 Jazz barks a lot - mostly because foxes are around all the time. We go and check that she's OK, but without being over friendly.....I look through the glass panel in the door to make sure we don't have burglars making off with the stock trailer, pat her on the head and go back to bed. If she does it again we take the spray bottle and put it near her crate. That's usually enough but I have gone back a third time and sprayed water at her. It's difficult as we don't really want to prevent her barking if there is something to bark at - the thing is I class that as intruders and Jazz obviously classes that as foxes and cats Poet's dog did a lot of woo-wooing when she was coming into season - that's just as she described it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted September 24, 2009 Author Share Posted September 24, 2009 Jazz barks a lot - mostly because foxes are around all the time. We go and check that she's OK, but without being over friendly.....I look through the glass panel in the door to make sure we don't have burglars making off with the stock trailer, pat her on the head and go back to bed. If she does it again we take the spray bottle and put it near her crate. That's usually enough but I have gone back a third time and sprayed water at her. It's difficult as we don't really want to prevent her barking if there is something to bark at - the thing is I class that as intruders and Jazz obviously classes that as foxes and cats Poet's dog did a lot of woo-wooing when she was coming into season - that's just as she described it. Thats interesting Lesley - the vet said she would behave differently, but as she is still new to us, we don't know what is different and what is normal! I like the idea of the water spray too. Again, we would want to encourage barking at intruders, but preferably just the human kind! She scares the pants of anyone who comes to the front door - leaps up and woowoos in their face!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cooks Posted September 25, 2009 Share Posted September 25, 2009 I guess I can be more laid back as my yorkie doesn't shed hairs and the cocker I believe is supposed to, but doesn't either. So they don't make less mess than the kids do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted September 25, 2009 Share Posted September 25, 2009 I would try a DAP collar-you can use the spray or a diffuser but the collar has the advantage of moving around with the dog. You can use the spray on a bandana or a hankie attached to the collar (let it dry before putting it on as dogs find the vapour when it has just been sprayed quite unpleasant). I would be suprised if Pets At Home had it as is only available through veterinary outlets (vets or online). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted September 25, 2009 Share Posted September 25, 2009 Crofts, our local feed store, sells it, but it's behind the counter. I'd really recommend it if she's pining. getting a collar is a really good idea. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted September 30, 2009 Author Share Posted September 30, 2009 Hurray! We have just had our first full nights sleep! Even the children overslept this morning We didn't use anything in the end, just remained consistent, putting her to bed in the kitchen and giving her a treat. She doesn't like going to bed She tries to hide behind the settee But at least the woowooing seems to be behind us Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seagazer Posted September 30, 2009 Share Posted September 30, 2009 Thats fantastic news, long may it last Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted September 30, 2009 Share Posted September 30, 2009 Great news Snowy - hopefully she's getting into your routine now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ClaireG Posted September 30, 2009 Share Posted September 30, 2009 Yay, i hope you continue to get good nights now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jules. Posted September 30, 2009 Share Posted September 30, 2009 Yay! Oversleeping children are a bonus, too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
