My new dog barks at night

jcarm24 · 10-09-2006, 11:41 AM

I just got an adult (maybe 3 yrs old) Chow Chow/Collie mix from the SPCA. She's a perfect dog in every respect, except one. I keep her in her crate at night when I go to sleep, and she barks for an hour before quieting down. I want her to get used to her crate so when I bring her to my parents house during the holidays, she'll be used to sleeping in a crate.

Now, I realize that it's only for an hour and that's not a big deal compared to the other storied I've read about in this forum. However, I would like to know if she'll eventually stop barking for this hour, once she realizes that i always come back downstairs the next morning. She doesn't mind her cage, as long as i'm down stairs with her. but as soon as i leave, she'll bark for an hour and then stop.

This is my first dog, so i don't know if this is just her getting used to her new environment, or this will be a common theme.

I'm welcoming everyone's opinion on this, of course. Thanks!

Curbside Prophet · 10-09-2006, 01:32 PM

Have you tried giving her a stuffed Kong when you leave? This may buy you enough time for her to settle in.

jcarm24 · 10-09-2006, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Curbside Prophet

Have you tried giving her a stuffed Kong when you leave? This may buy you enough time for her to settle in.

I have. She doesn't pay attention to it b/c her focus is on me until i'm gone. And once I'm outa sight, she starts up her barking.

In fact, she's not interested in any of her toys, and rarely interesting in the kong or a rawhide. If I'm doing something besides lying on the couch, she's all over me and will drop whatever she's doing (eating, drinking, "konging", etc).

sheltieluver · 10-09-2006, 03:42 PM

I've never crated my dog so not sure how much I can help but here's my thoughts. Make sure that she is walked, exercised enough so she is tired when she is put in her crate to sleep. Would you consider putting the crate in the room with you? She may suffer separation anxiety as well. If you choose to put her in the crate away from you, don't make a big deal about leaving. Also, you may want to try putting her in her crate for shorter periods of time prior to putting her down for the night. That way she'll know that you are coming back and the barking may shorten.

jcarm24 · 10-09-2006, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sheltieluver

I've never crated my dog so not sure how much I can help but here's my thoughts. Make sure that she is walked, exercised enough so she is tired when she is put in her crate to sleep. Would you consider putting the crate in the room with you? She may suffer separation anxiety as well. If you choose to put her in the crate away from you, don't make a big deal about leaving. Also, you may want to try putting her in her crate for shorter periods of time prior to putting her down for the night. That way she'll know that you are coming back and the barking may shorten.

I think the seperation is the issue. She's fine in the crate if i'm in the room with her. We only want her to be used to the crate so when i travel, she can sleep comfortably in there and not bother my parents.

We keep the crate downstairs and not in the bedroom to reduce the dander near where i sleep (my girlfriend is allergic). Maybe i'll try putting her in the crate for multiple times before bed time. Thanks!

Dulce · 10-10-2006, 12:55 PM

It's normal for a dog that came from the SPCA to do that. He was obviousl previously abandoned, and barking is normal. Maybe keep the crate in YOUR ROOM. In my opinion, it should be in there anyway. They need to be near their owner, their pack leader.