Barking at night
Help! PJ, now 10 mos. old, has started barking in the middle of the night. He has always slept in his crate without a problem. Usually if either one of them yips in the middle of the night, its a bathroom emergency, which is not common. For 3 nghts now, PJ has barked, but doesn't have to go, and then just keeps barking. Tonight it started at 11 p.m. and he kept barking for about an hour, then was quiet for a while ( 15 mins maybe) and then started in again. He was getting pretty frantic so I checked him again, made sure his bed wasn't soiled, went outside again (nothing) and put him back to bed. He has been yipping on and off (mostly ON) for over an hour. Their crates are in the kitchen (poor Abby...she hasn't made a peep) and that's where they've always been. We're at our wits end, not to mention exhausted after 3 nights of this. Other than this, his behavior is fine and normal, appetite normal. Any suggestions?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Kevan hudson on
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Benson went through that for a short while,every night , it has been the same with almost every puppy we have had,he got over it, so did we.I found that tiring him out by play ,outdoor activity,then letting him settle for a half hour before bed helped a bit,he was such a ball of energy as a pup he wanted to play 24/7.well good luck!
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Permalink Reply by Anna Morelli on
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Does he bark when you let him out of the crate? It would help if you describe your routine and his actions from when you first hear him bark.
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Permalink Reply by Connie, Abby & PJ on
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As our other corgi has digestive issues, we are quick to respond to a yip in the middle of the night, because it indicates a bathroom emergency. After PJ learned to sleep thru the night, about 5 mos. ago, its been the same with him, the infrequent mid-night bark meant he had to go. Except for the past 3 nights. The 1st 2 nights, one of us would take him outside for a few minutes, (quietly, keeping lights low and to a minimum) and then quietly back into the crate. He'd stay quiet, for an hour or two, then start yipping again,but instead of heading straight to the outside door when we'd let him out again, he'd bolt for the living room. Last night, after he didn't go when we took him out at 11, and only stayed quiet for about 15 minutes after going back in the crate, we decided to just wait him out...As he was getting very frantic, I took him out again at about 12, no go, and he immediately started barking as soon as back in the crate. He finally wound down about 2 a.m.
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I would not let him bark. Barking is a so called self rewarding activity, so it usually escalates if not corrected. Assume he does not have a bathroom emergency and just wants out of the crate at night. Arm yourself with a spray bottle and, as soon as you hear him bark, go and say QUIET! or STOP THAT! and give one well aimed spray from outside the crate without opening it, then go away. You may have to repeat it several times, depending on how persistent he is. Keep it up. He needs to make the new connection, barking at night does not get him out, it gets him sprayed. You can add a drop or two of vinegar to the bottle (no more) just to give it an unpleasant scent and it will not harm him. The barking should lessen and resolve within two or three days at the most.
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Two problems with that approach:
1 - the crate is covered, and he doesn't sleep well w/o the cover, and
2 - he loves the spray bottle...tried to use it to stop them when the wrestling gets out of hand, and he runs to it and opens his mouth to catch the water. I don't think that would work with him. I thought about using something that makes noise (like an air can, because he doesn't like that), but that would freak out the other dog and then I'd have both of them going.I can't believe Abby has stayed quiet with all his barking, but she really really hates the spray can (and the water bottle too).
In case its sounds from outdoors that are waking him, we put a fan in the room for tonight, to create a white noise. Wish us luck!
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The white noise is a good idea. You're right about the air can and not wanting to upset Abby, but find a way to convey you're upset and stop the barking (even if only for awhile) without letting him out of the crate at night. Also make sure he gets enough exercise during the day. Good luck for tonight, I know how hard it is when you can't get your sleep.
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Hope things were calmer for you guys last night,just wanted to expand on my earlier post.When benson first started his barking at night I would get up,just like you, to see if he had to pee,I quickly realized that he was learning that if he barked I would get up and pay attention,even to get up see puppy and say QUIET! is still attention ,we chose a different course and just absolutely ignored the barking,it was tough,but he learned relatively quickly that it was getting him nowhere,that first night of no barking was sheer bliss. My Abbie used to greet me at the door by jumping,whining,pawing,it was extremely difficult to remove shoes etc ,used to say NO,OUT,nothing worked,so when I got home I started ignoring her,no looking at her ,nothing,I would keep this up until she settled down, then once in a calm state I made a huge fuss of her ,she learned that if she is calm when I come home she will get attention,this all worked for me.good luck
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Thanks for your help guys! We've had a couple good nights now, it was helpful to have someone to turn to! Now if we cold just get him to sleep later than 5 a.m.....since that's the time we get up during the week, I guess I'll have to live with that on the weekend too...LOL!
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Connie, glad things are looking up. As your pup matures, he will learn the difference between weekdays and weekends, most do.
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Permalink Reply by Laura Rochette on
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I went through the same process that Kevan describes with Lucy a couple of months ago. It is hard to ignore at first, but it did work. At about the same time, it seemed Lucy no longer wanted to sleep in her crate (its size is supposed to be ok for a Corgi, but I think it is now too small). She now sleeps in her ex pen which gives her freedom to move around a bit and change positions easily. I began to wonder if there was some connection between her wanting attention at night and finding the crate a little small.
I also agree with the person who mentioned exercise--the more Lucy gets, the better and longer she sleeps.
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What size crate do you have? We had found conflicting info - some places recommended 30" and some 36" - so we ended up getting the 36", which is plenty of room for each of them to stretch out and turn around. My guys are on the small side, though: Abby is 24 lbs and PJ 21lbs, but he's got a bit more growing to do. They probably would have fit fine in a 30", but I'm glad they have plenty of space. Also glad to hear there's someone else who keeps them confined at night; most people seem to think I'm nuts to make them sleep in their crates.
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Hi,I am pleased to hear things are better for you,like Anna mentioned your pup will adjust to your daily activities,schedules,etc. Sometimes I am home from work early and I have noticed that within 5 min. Of my wife's arrival home from work both dogs go to the door and wait.they have become attuned to her schedule.I am sure your pup will too.If I were one to offer up advice(I generally don't, but I have no problem giving my experiences) I would say your best ally in dealing with your puppy(anything in life actually),is patience,calm patience,best of luck,look forward to your stories.
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