Hi, We have adopted a 5yr old female choc lab called Ruby just over a month ago. On the whole she's settled in really well. She is quite needy and follows us from room to room but the main issue is that she sometimes barks and cries in the night. This was pretty bad at first (although obviously understandable) and after doing some research we tried going downstairs and banging on the door when she barked and saying "quiet" without actually going into the room which seemed to work (I don't really like doing it as it seems a bit harsh but we don't really want her to sleep in our bedroom). Over the last few days she has started crying again. Do we just continue with the "quiet" command and door banging or can anyone suggest a better technique? Any suggestions welcome!
I expect she is a bit scared. Do you know anything about her past? It usually takes at least 6-8 weeks for a dog to start to settle in a new home. She may have been locked away at night previously and something may have made her scared. She may have been neglected of human contact and now thrives on it. I understand not everyone wants a dog in their bedroom, but you need to find a way to help her settle. I would never bang a door and shout as this will only scare her more which is why she probably stopped after you did it before. Could you sleep downstairs with her for a few days and slowly move out of the room over the following nights until she is settled. It might take a week or two, but might help her settle better. She just needs reassurance that you haven't 'abandoned' her.
Well done on giving a needy doggie a home I agree with Anaya. She's scared and feeling unsafe, so is crying out. The solution is to make her feel less scared and more safe. The way to do that is to have her much closer to you. I'd start with her in your bedroom. Once she becomes familiar with and secure in her new surroundings you can start to move her to a different room (gradually) if you want to, but right now she needs the company and reassurance. I know you don't want her in your room but look on it as just a temporary 'stage' thing that will ultimately help you get to where you want to be. Right now you are trying with a 'training' solution but I'd abandon that and go with an 'emotional reassurance' solution. The 'training solution' you are using unfortunately won't work (as you have found already) as she's too stressed and the technique is confusing. She's getting both attention (you arriving at the door) and an aversive (you banging on the door and the leaving). So I'd just give up on that approach. Patience, understanding and putting a priority on your dog's needs are the way to go here.
Hi there and welcome to the forum. I can't add to the excellent advice above; she just needs time to settle and to help her do this, she'll need your presence at night for a while. That means either you moving into her room, or vice versa. Then gradually moving out again, if you really don't want her in your room. Good luck and let us know how you get on.
Thanks for the advice. I didn't feel comfortable with the door banging so am quite relieved to hear advice against it! She wasn't poorly treated in the past and came from a good home. We'll try moving her upstairs and see if that helps her to settle.
Hi and welcome to the forum. Great advice already given above. You could also try leaving something that has your smell on it so she can have it in her bed. Does she have a cuddy toy to sleep with?
Good advice from the others as always here. Well done for taking on a rescue dog, it's always a challenge and you can never be totally sure that you've got the full story of a dog's background. Assuming though, that you doo actually know her past, as you say and had a good home, she could also just be missing her 'old' family and crying for them. During daytime when you are with her, she's distracted but left alone at night, that's when she will feel a bit lost. Best wishes with helping her into her new life x
Hi there, welcome to the forum to you and Ruby. How lovely you have taken on a rescue dog and are giving her a happy home. I concur with the others; more reassurance at night and I am sure in a few weeks all will be sorted.
When we brought home our first lab, he was like this. My husband wore a tshirt and mowed the lawn, all kinds of work stuff and then that night he gave the tshirt to the dog so it had his scent on it. Really worked. Good luck!
