Whining and barking at night... I'M GOING NUTS

[Marylyn]

Okay... My un-neutered 5-6mnth old boxer ALWAYS whines and barks at night and only at night, it is driving me and my parents crazy. I don't want to feel the need to take him on a walk at 10PM every night before he goes to sleep to make him tired because I don't feel safe doing that for myself.

He has a crate, and I leave it open for him, he stays in the backyard to sleep and I am no way going to let him sleep in my room, that's not debatable. But his whining and crying is making me crazy.

WHAT DO I HAVE TO DO TO MAKE HIM STOP!!!! I don't give him ANY attention when he whines, I don't speak a word to him when he is, I don't say his name, nothing... I completely ignore it.

Please boxer world.. Help me, because nothing else on the internet is.

Thank you.

 

[LILYLARUE]

Please don't take this the wrong way, but it's hard to offer advice to someone when they are not willing to accept those suggestions that will come from most dog owners. The first suggestion of everyone is going to be to crate him in your room. Why are you so unwilling to do this? Is this your dog or the family dog? Why is he committed to the yard over night? So many questions. Boxers are a people breed. They love their people and they are part of the pack - so kicking him out and bannishing him to the yard is breaking his spirit! No wonder he whines and cries all night. He's lonely. He's scared. And his family doesn't want him. You refuse to walk him at night to tire him out? All these things are basic rules to dog ownership. I'm sorry, but I really feel bad for him.

 

[LoveMyLoki]

I agree, boxers are all about their humans, so much that they tend to take on the same personality of humans.
Hes just a toddler, he wants to be with his mommy/daddy all the time and one day you'll wake up and he wont want to be all up in your business as much bc he will have learned how to be on his own.

My Loki is only 11 weeks, and hes already trying to sleep downstairs on his pillow rather than upstairs with me as hes developing his independence. If he was potty trained and not in the chewing stage i would let him.
Not even two weeks ago, i couldnt leave the room without him following me wanting to be in my lap.

And someone can correct me if im wrong, but boxers are not really outside all the time dogs.

 

[LILYLARUE]

What scares me the most is the owner doesn't feel it's safe to walk the dog at night, yet the poor dog is stuck outside in the unsafe neighborhood? She may not have to deal with the whining much longer, as I'm sure a dog loving neighbor will feel pity on him and give him a home where he is welcome. I would never ever trust my dogs outside for any length of time, let alone at night, where anything or anyone could hurt them or take them. It's just not responsible at all!

 

[LoveMyLoki]

Ive been trying to get Loki to enjoy being outside alone, he doesn't of course bc there's no one to play with. But he is at least spending the time quietly. That took a handful days to get him to go out without crying at the back door the entire time.

i wouldnt want to sleep outside alone by myself, i definitely wouldnt let my dog; boxer or not.


If the bed is not an option, perhaps putting the kennel somewhere else in the house where its warmer/more comfortable.
What are the objections with having the dog in your room?
Once he is used to sleeping you will be able to move him other places.

I brought Loki home with the strict rule he would not be in my bed.
That lasted 4 hours.
Im such a softy.

 

[CoraBoxer]

Well its all been said already - unneutered pup who's scared, confused, full of energy. I sure hope you're not leaving him outside during the day too. I agree with you though that this is not up for debate. You HAVE TO change your way of thinking and what you're doing. You'll be lucky if one of your neighbours don't call bylaw or animal welfare/control. Your issue is that the dog needs more attention and not what he's currently getting or less. Its not about reinforcing undesired behaviours but about setting him up for success and reinforcing that. What exactly about 10pm makes it dangerous outside? Go out at 8 or 9... Being scared or not wanting to is not the same as being in danger.

 

[mightymama]

Aww this post makes me soo sad. I keep thinking about how my 6 month old puppy would feel if I left him outside all night!
I cant ever imagine a boxer dog being happy outside on his own, they like to be as involved as possible with the rest of the family, me and my partner cant even snuggle up on the sofa without Séamus wiggling in between us.
Séamus doesn't sleep with us, he is crated in the kitchen but we leave the kitchen door and our bedroom door open so he feels happy that we're near by and can hear us get up for him.
Do you have a utility room or kitchen you could crate him in, give him lots of comforters so he feels safe and happy ?

would you leave your bike outside in the yard or your car unlocked ?? probably not at the risk of it getting stolen, so what is different when it comes to your boxer baby ?

xx

 

[Marylyn]

Thank you everyone for the heart-hitting advice, I will think over all of this and possibly put him in my room at night as a consideration.

 

[LILYLARUE]

Thank you everyone for the heart-hitting advice, I will think over all of this and possibly put him in my room at night as a consideration.

Please, please do! You will have a much better relationship with the pup and he will be a much better, obedient dog if you do.

Now, if you do put him in your room, crated, he may fuss for a few days or he could just be happy to be inside with you that he sleeps quietly. Prepare for a couple nights of unrest......but it WILL be better each night after.

Do some research on puppy rearing. Get a grasp on their psychology. I think if you can look at your pup like a child, which boxers seem to be purpetual 2 yr olds, you will be more empathetic to his needs and development. A dog is not a toy, or something to be put away when you are done playing with it. A dog wants and should be a part of the family with the same considerations as a child. They of course arent a child, but require just as much love, care and appreciation as one.

I also think if you reconsider letting him into the home at his convenience, you will be not only amazed at how a dog can be your best friend, but also that dog will be your pride and joy!

 

[furrykidmom]

Questions

I also have many questions. What made you chose a Boxer? Are you aware that they are a very social breed? They crave human attention. They have a lot of energy and need a healthy way to release it in order to be a well behaved dog. It truly sounds like he is just bored and lonely. He needs some physical stimulation and human contact.

We have an 11 week old Boxer. He is crated at night on my night stand in a wire crate where he can see me. He has been an absolute angel. He fusses for about three minutes at most and then settles and goes to sleep. He actually sleeps thru the night. I need to understand why he cannot be in your room. We made this same mistake with our first Boxer puppy. We tried to crate him downstairs. It was miserable. He cried nonstop thru the night. Just when we thought he had finally tired himself out and went to sleep the crying would start again. We moved him to our room and he was much better. He only cried if he needed to go outside to go to the bathroom.

And please never leave a puppy outside. Boxers do not tolerate the elements well. They are easily prone to heat stroke even if the sun is not out. I dont know what your weather is like at night. They also cannot tolerate cold. Again, curious why he is outside.

You mentioned your parents. How old are you? Were your parents against you bringing this puppy home? My nephew and his girlfriend just went thru the same thing. They got a puppy but they do not have their own place yet. They have a five year old. Neither one of them had time for a puppy and her parents were not happy that not only were they raising their grandson but now a puppy also. The puppy was rehomed. Don't get me wrong. They love their grandson we just wish they both would have been able to be responsible for themselves before they brought another human being into the world when they were just young adults themselves. Anyway...just my two cents. I dont doubt that you love this puppy maybe the timing was just off. I don't know. You really did not give us much information to help you. I wish you and your puppy much success. I hope it all works out for both of you.