Kingdom of Pets

Posted by whitney323
Nov 16, 2009

I have a new yellow lab puppy. She is a little older than three months, and I have had her for about 3 weeks. She was a stray, and was initially very timid of everyone but me. We have made some ground with that. She is better with my boyfriend and my mom, but she is usually very timid around people she does not know. We had several people over on Friday night, and she stayed by my feet most of the night and peed in the house three times. She does not usually do this, we are pretty far along with potty training.

My biggest problem is she does not sleep through the night. I have never had a puppy, so please let me know if this is normal. She now likes her kennel and sleeps in there even when she is not put in there. She will happily go in there at night, but wakes up somewhere between 12 and 2 and starts barking. It is not a simple bark, it usually turns into a howl and a full blown panick. I try and ignore her (if I don't think it is because she has to go to the bathroom), but I live in a town house, and I don't want to keep my neighbors up all night. I take her out, and she is up for about 30 minutes. Usually I can get her back to sleep by letting her come sleep on her bed in my bedroom. I'm not sure what to do, but I haven't had a full nights sleep in three weeks!! I'm exhausted!!

Also, I tried leaving her outside on a long leash, and she barked/howled. I ignored her for awhile, but she continued. Eventually I let her back in. How do I get her to stop barking like that?

My next problem (sorry I have many). She thinks i am playing when I tell her no. She has not made much ground on the chewing in the house, and I finally realized it is because she thinks I am playing. I used to tell her a firm no, give her a chew toy, and then praise her. She has PLENTY of chew toys, and I have been switching them out to keep it interesting. The past two days I have been putting my hands around her snout, telling her a firm no, and then putting her in our entry way for a few minutes to ignore her. This seems to work a little better, making her realize I am not playing. However, usually if I leave her anywhere she starts the barking/howling. It is really so loud I can't ignore. Is that the right thing? How do I make her realize I am not playing?

Please help!!

Posted by kjd
Nov 16, 2009

Hi, Whitney.

Congratulations on giving that puppy a home.

Where is her crate? It sounds to me as if she wakes up in the night and is afraid you've deserted her. She is suffering separation anxiety. Do you have a problem with her permanently sleeping on her bed in your bedroom?

I have a new rescue I've had for about a week longer than you. She is 5 years old. You would recognize many of your puppy's behaviors in my dog's behaviors. She is also clingy with me. They see us as the only sure giver of warmth, food, affection. This is a good time to establish yourself as alpha. As you saw, time-out worked well with her. She doesn't want to be separated from you.

Posted by whitney323
Nov 17, 2009

Thank you for your response.

No, I really have no problem if she sleeps in my bedroom, as long as she sleeps through the night. The problem has been that she wakes up and tries to pull the covers off of the bed or jumps up wanting attention. The past two nights she has slept in my bedroom with me. She has woken up once during the night to go to the bathroom, and it takes about 30 min. to settle her down. She will then sleep till 6 when I get up. Her crate has been in the living room beside my bedroom.

If this is normal and will eventually change, then I can handle it. However, I am just afraid that I am doing something wrong, and she won't ever sleep through the night.

Yes, I have realized that it is a great time to establish my role as Alpha. I read the seperate book, and I am trying to make sure I am established as Alpha before she gets more comfortable with everything.

Have you made any ground with your dog and other people? I want to socialize her properly. Thanks so much!!

Posted by kjd
Nov 17, 2009

Have you tried moving the crate in beside the bed? This would keep her from jumping up or pulling the covers off. However, if she is then going to bark, I'll wait for suggestions from someone else. [Ignoring her for a few nights is, of course, the best solution, but you don't live in the country!] One thought: Do you cut off her access to water in the evening? I'm not sure when the ideal time for that is, but she may be getting a full bladder.

My Sunna is still sure that a trip in the car is to check out a potential new home. She lets people pet her, but pretty much ignores them. The first dog I adopted as an adult, Thor, was depressed for a year, so I am prepared to give her all the time she needs. She goes with me; she meets people; she even takes classes. I know the day will come when she will see everyone as a potential friend, not a new owner. Meanwhile, I am practicing the Amichien Bonding as a means of establishing alpha. I've been remiss in letting her approach me and start the affection routine (she licks and rubs, buries her head under my arm, gazes up angelically). As far as I can tell, she has no aggression issues and I want to keep it like that. Right now, my major problem is she has nothing she will work for ~~neither food, nor toys~~ especially outside the house. She did well in an advanced basic class -- extremely well when you consider she wasn't working for anything!

The young dogs I've adopted never had this food problem. They've always been willing to work for it. But Sunna's predecessor, who was a year older, went from ignoring treats to loving all food (she'd work for broccoli), so I expect things to change.

How does your puppy do with treats?

Posted by whitney323
Nov 18, 2009

Well you will be glad to know that she slept through the night last night. I'm hoping she will do this tonight, but we will see. She just slept next to the bed. I took her for an hour walk/run from 6-7, let her drink all of the water she wanted when we got back home, and then cut her off. She took a nap until about 8, and then I did some training and fetch (which is still sort of training, because I am teaching her drop it.) That is the earliest I have ever cut off water, and she also went potty later than she usually does. I am guessing this may be the problem, but it is hard to know when to cut off without being cruel, keeping her up late enough, and still letting myself go to bed early enough for work the next day.

I have moved the crate in the bedroom, but not right next to my bed. I read about someone doing that, so I may try. That way I could stick my hand in there, so she knows that I am right there. If what worked last night does not continue to work, I will probably try this.

I am EXTREMELY impressed that your pup did well with training, without treats! Yes, my pup does well with treats. She did not like the puppy biscuits I got her, but she LOVES string cheese. My friend trained his dogs with that, so I tried and it has worked for me. Maybe you could try that. Does Sunna eat full meals?

I'm sure Sunna will change. You have had experiences with dogs changing their social behavior and eating habits. I would guess it will just take time for Sunna to get used to her new life and comfortable enough to know it will stay that way. Sounds like your pup is a sweetie, so congrats! Also, thanks for the advice! I really had no idea what dogs were like, especially the importance of being the Alpha dog, so it really is a learning experience everyday for me.

Posted by kjd
Nov 18, 2009

You are doing really great -- your puppy is lucky to have you! Sounds as if she just has problems getting through the night without a potty break and that will get better with age.

Sunna eats her meals; her ribs no longer show. She works for treats at home, just not away from home. She's also a bit particular about what treats she'll eat. She chews rawhide but doesn't seem to get the kick out of it that most dogs do (they'll look almost drugged out on it as they chew). I remember going through pet stores with the last dog: an employee would open a new bag of treats and give her one; she'd take it and drop it on the ground. I'd never seen this type of behavior before and was worried about training her. Then she started feeling at home and ate whatever we put in her dish -- apples were her favorite. So I have confidence in Sunna. I'll let you know when she decides food is important.

Each dog is a learning experience. If you think you know dogs, your next dog will prove you wrong! You pick up tools, the most helpful ones being patience and consistency, but each dog is different.

Posted by whitney323
Nov 21, 2009

I'm glad to hear that Sunna has started eating treats! I wish you luck with her, but sounds like you are a pro and will do great! Please keep me updated on her training and eating.

Well thank you, I am definitely trying to be a good mom! I am taking vacation next week, so I am excited to have a lot of time with her!

Barks through the night and when left alone