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Dog getting family up in the night

(57 Posts)
grandtanteJE65 Fri 04-Jan-19 13:38:27

It ´sounds to me as if the dog wants out of wherever she sleeps in your daughter's home. Is she scrabbling at the door or the floor? If it is the floor, are the family quite, quite sure that there are not mice or rats under that floor?
If there are, you cannot blame the dog for trying to get at them.

Is there another room where they could try to let the dog sleep?

If she was happier in their kitchen, I would suggest placing a board in front of the door, so she cannot chew the door.

I'm assuming the dog has been out for a proper walk and both wee'd and did a job before bedtime?

yogagran Fri 04-Jan-19 13:31:23

If the dog settles well at your house hatpev then surely it's just working out what is different in the surroundings, atmosphere, dogs bed, routine etc and copying that at your daughter's house. Poor thing sounds very distressed and it needs sorting out. The longer that this unsettled behaviour carries on the more firmly the habit will be instilled. You could also try finding a local, recommended dog trainer to help and advise

Anja Fri 04-Jan-19 13:08:57

The dog is probably suffering a form of separation anxiety probably stemming from her phantom pregnancy.

She is clearly stressed.

Have they tried some calming pills from the vet to get her resettled? She could be reconditioned to her crate again. One idea would be to put her in the crate with a tasty chew that’s going to last a while. If she can come to associate her crate with good feelings for a start.

I’m assuming she has a cosy bed or blanket in it? Toys possibly?

Is she getting enough exercise? A walk before bed? Do they play with her, throws balls and have tuggy sessions? A bit of doggy massage. A bandana with a drop of Roman chamomile on it? All these can help stressed dogs.

In situations like this it pays to make haste very slowly. Baby steps. Or consult an animal behaviourist.

FlexibleFriend Fri 04-Jan-19 12:47:17

Some dogs love the security of a crate and some hate being confined. I have 5 dogs and the 3 males are crated, 1 loves it and 2 don't mind it. The 2 female pugs sleep on my bed but have in the past slept in crates without objection. It could be all sorts of things other than the crate setting the dog off, for example water pipes gurgling, the central heating coming on
or even mice. They could try moving the crate to another room, covering the crate so the dog thinks it's still dark. Crates definitely have uses for destructive dogs. Has the dog always objected to the crate or is it a recent thing?

megan123 Fri 04-Jan-19 12:18:06

Does she stay in a cage with you?

She is upset and frightened. A nice basket/bed with blankets that she can snuggle under, and a radio on softly playing music. No cage. I would never use one although I do know someone that does and I think they can be used successfully - although as I say I have never had one.

She should settle down but it is worth a call to the vet if she doesn't.

Lynne59 Fri 04-Jan-19 12:09:13

You don't have any problems when the dog stays with you, but your daughter has problems - what is different at your house? I'm not a dog owner, but I wonder why the dog is settled at your place and not where it lives

Hatpev Fri 04-Jan-19 12:00:26

Just had a very tearful daughter round. She has not slept for days due to dog crying and scrabbling in the night. This dog is 18 months old and well loved. Initially slept well in the crate but prior to being spayed she had a phantom pregnancy and was allowed to sleep in kitchen. This had to stop as she chewed the door. Now no one is getting any rest. The cage bars are all bent from her chewing. When she comes to stay overnight here we do not have any problems. We are not dog people. Any ideas from pet owners on Gransnet?