kicked out

[lexintitus]

Lexi (about 3yrs old) keeps waking everyone up in the middle of the night. Both Lexi and Titus sleep in the room with us but not on the bed. Titus is in a crate and Lexi starts off on a doggie bed on the floor. She keeps waking up around 3am and then again at 4:30. My DH takes her outside, and it's not like she's busting to use the bathroom. She does use it but it's not an emergency. This is becoming a big problem for us because my sleep is extremely important to me. If I don't get enough, it really affects my mood the next day...and I have to deal with children all day long. When Lexi wakes up she paws us and snorts in our ear until we have to get up just to quiet her down. When she's being relentless, we'll put her in her crate and she quiets down for about an hour but then she's snorting and whining again. For the past 2 nights, we've had to crate her in a different room and we feel awful about this. She's in this room by herself and not with the rest of the family. She'll still whine and bark and either me or DH has to go in there and say "No" and "lay down." Her ears go back and she looks so sad. I don't like separating her and I know by reinforcing her negative behavior by taking her downstairs is the wrong answer.
I'm really at a loss as to what to do so any advice is greatly appreciated.

 

[brwneyesk8]

Wow that's a toughy. Has she always done this? When did you get Titus? I'm wondering if she feels she wants to be with Titus. Have you thought about or tried letting them roam the house at night? Or letting them sleep together in another room with the door closed? That way they're together and keeping eachother occupied? It may be nuts for the first couple nights but they should get a routine going. Play/sleep/play/sleep. Least that's what my Porter and my Mom's dog will do. That is if they don't destroy things, bark or try to kill eachother
Also, I'd maybe take the issue to my vet to see if maybe she gets an upset stomach or something after her dinner.....not sure but just to be on the safe side. Sometimes poor behavior, nervousness and the like can be signs that they are not feeling right.
Another thought....is her bed near yours? Porter stopped whining at night when I'd lean over and just rest a hand on his head, paw or back. He just wanted the contact. He also relaxed a bit more (when he was still in his crate) when we draped a blanket over top so he was in more of a 'den'. I think it helped him feel more safe and secure instead of in a huge dark room.
Lots of thoughts. Hope you find one that works. I'll keep thinking on it and see if I can't think of anything else. Good luck and hope you get sweet dreams soon!!!

 

[Evie&Adam]

Another thought....is her bed near yours? Porter stopped whining at night when I'd lean over and just rest a hand on his head, paw or back. He just wanted the contact. He also relaxed a bit more (when he was still in his crate) when we draped a blanket over top so he was in more of a 'den'. I think it helped him feel more safe and secure instead of in a huge dark room.

brwneyesk8 has a good idea. I also keep the pups beds right next to ours. Also, try withholding water earlier in the evening and take her potty just before you head to bed. I take the water away around 8pm, then the last potty is between 1030-1100pm. If I don't (or forget) then Adam gets me up around 3am to go potty. And, if I ignore him, I get to mop floors at 330 am :/

Best of luck

 

[lexintitus]

I tried letting them both sleep out of their crates at night and it didn't go so hot. Any little noise, Titus (just turned 1) is up and either investigating it or coming to me for shelter (he's a little jittery...ok sometimes it's downright ridiculous). Also, any little movement made outside Lexi's barking and growling (although she's really very soppy). It's definitely not that Lexi wants to sleep near Titus. She can't stand it when he comes over to lay with her, if they decide to take a nap after playing. No matter how "dog tired" she is, she'll get up and move. I have recently changed her food to Canidae ( a true miracle...excellent food) and realize she may be off balance due to the diet change but she's been doing this for a long time...well before we changed her diet. She's very bull-headed and we constantly have to let her know she's not "queen bee" of the house. My patience is wearing thin because it's not very nice to have a wet nose snorting in your ear, followed by a paw grazing you across the face at 3am. I will try the blanket over her crate though...kinda like a bird?...sheet over crate=go to sleep. Thanks so much for your suggestions.

Just saw your post Evie and Adam: We take her to potty right before bed...and also take away the water. I found out to do that along time ago because she's one to stay there and drink the bowl dry. I know Lexi and it's not that she's busting for a wee. When we take her outside, she sniffs the air for a good while, roams back and forth and sniffs the grass blades, usually followed by a few barks to see if the dog across the road is awake and then she wees like tomorrow will do. They're short little wees (because we took the water away a long time ago) and then she moseys on in and waits for her treat like a good little girl...yeah right! You know how people will wake up in the middle of the night and raid the refrigerator..usually getting icecream? Well, that's like what Lexi does. She wakes up and wants to get some fresh air outside, and she knows if she wees a little, she'll get a treat=her version of icecream. It's just figuring out a way to let her know this is not allright and it's going to stop. Thanks for your suggestions guys. I really appreciate it.

 

[brwneyesk8]

Sorry I couldn't be of more help. :( Have you searched this site at all? Seems there should be a TON of info for ya here. We all know about the wet nose snorting in your face and the paw scrapping down your shoulder or cheek.....we're right there with you. Sometimes as infuriating as it is I can ignore Porter (this was back when he'd wake us up) and he'd get bored of not getting attention (like a kid's temper tantrum) and lay down. May take a while....

How long did you give the two dogs out together at night? I mean nights in a row. Not sure it'd help, I'm sure you know what works and what doesn't. But dogs, too, are creatures of habit. They grow accustomed to the routine.
Sorry again and Good Luck!!!!

 

[Tulsa-Dan]

Simple answer: Give the dogs some vigorous exercise right before bedtime. They'll be worn out and sleep thu the night. If it isn't a matter of bathroom, then it is that the dogs are not getting enough exercise. You might also try going to bed a little later. After exercise, be sure to give the dogs a dog biscuit or something so they'll have something on their stomachs.

Also, if you go in to the other room and say "NO" to the whining, you are just giving the dog attention, which is what she wants by whining. You must ignore the whining or she'll continue this behavior because she knows you'll get up and give her some attention. The attention (good or bad, they don't know the difference) then stimulates the dog and it is hard for the dog to go back to sleep. Stop catering so much to your dogs and live your life. The dogs need to adjust to YOU, not the other way around.

Good luck.

 

[Cindy Creel]

I am by no means an authority on this subject. We had a female boxer that did this. She had a UTI infection. It would be compared to a bladder infection similar in humans. It may be worth mentioning to the vet.

 

[lexintitus]

update

Thanks for the suggestions. I'll definitely put them into practice.

Cindy Creel: Everytime we take her for her wellness check at the vets, she's had a clean bill of health but that doesn't mean something hasn't crept up on us. Next time we take her in, we'll mention our situation and any possible digestive, urinary problems that may be related.

We usually go to bed around 10:30 or 11:00 so right before bedtime, DH took her out for an up-beat walk. She came back in with all this abundant energy...like "Hello world! I'm wide awake!" but when we put her in her crate, mind you still in the other room, she fussed once (without any type of reinforcement from me or DH) and then settled down and slept through the night.

Thanks again.

 

[brwneyesk8]

Oh that's so great to hear!!!! What a wonderful update to read.
Bet you slept well that night, too!!! Keep us posted!