I have a female 15 month chocolate lab. We took her from a situation with no socialization about 4 months ago. We confine her either in a hallway with baby gates or in her crate when we leave the house. She is always excited to see us when we return, but I don’t know how to handle this excitement late at night. During the day she can go out and play but at night, going out to pee just isn’t enough. Does anyone have any suggestions for calming her down so that we all can go to bed?
Hi @Katefur welcome to the forum I'm not sure I understand what is happening. She gets excited in the evening when you return. How long have you been away? When does she play with you each day? How long does she need before she calms? Have you filmed her behaviour after you leave? And if so, how does she behave?
Sorry . I guess I wasn’t very clear. We never leave our lab for more than 4-5 hours, usually less during the day. However we frequently usher at the local theater and don’t get home until about 10:30-11. We leave about 6. Dory is confined either in the hallway with a couple of toys and a dog bed or in her crate. When we get home and let her out, she’s crazy...racing through the house, jumping on my husband or me. I tried to make her sit and become calm before releasing her and she will do that. However, once the gate or crate is open, she’s crazy excited again. My problem is how to diffuse that excitement late at night. We play fetch and walk her during the day for exercise almost every day. If we leave her during the day, when we return I’m able to put her in the backyard to run off that excitement of our homecoming. Can’t do that at night. I’ve never tried to film Dory when we are away. In fact, I don’t even know what type of equipment to use.
Is she just excited you have returned and is glad to see you. How long before she calms down. Is it possible to take her out for a short walk to calm her. Willow has a mad session in the evening she is let out in the garden as she barks to go out but when out just plays and don't go to toilet. My hubby takes her out about 10pm for a short walk and she spends her time sniffing and will pee. Then she settles for the night.
Hi @Katefur You can use a GoPro camera to get excellent quality video. Or your mobile phone. It is understandable that your dog would be excited after you've been gone for 4 or 5 hours. The walk sounds like a good idea. It will help you two to wind down and certainly help your dog to settle. Significantly she will be with you. How did it go? Did it help?
Thanks for all of the suggestions for calming Dory, after we come home at night. I’ve found something that works! I bought two glow in the dark balls from Amazon. Now when we come home late, weather permitting, I take her out to the back yard and play fetch. The glow balls are great! They glow fully after about 5 minutes of light. I usually leave a lamp on with the balls underneath “charging” while we are gone.
