Dexter has taken to whining in the morning ,early(4.30 am)......I pretty much know what Ive got to do but Im puzzled about why this has happened.I was in denial it was a blip but no,it seems to be a trend.... It starts to get light here about 5 am......he was starting to whine around then before we went away,I didn't think anything of it,it is what it is.Light outside,time for animals to wake up!He has blackout blinds on his windows but they aren't that efficient to be honest plus we like to leave the kitchen door open or his area becomes an ac free zone and we feel it would get too hot and stuffy for him..so light comes in from the kitchen too.I made sure though that I waited until there was a break in the whining and he was quiet( in some cases like 5 seconds but a break all the same)before I came and let him out. I Briefed the dog sitter while we were away,I said he will start whining but DON'T let him out until there is a break in the whining.....she said she did this(she was woken up every morning except 1 at 4.30 ish) but I have my doubts(she is lovely though and took really good care of him so Im not being disrespectful of her care) He doesn't want a wee,he is let out and just messes about in the garden,and then comes back into his gated area and just flops down and we can go back to bed until 5.30 (whoop whoop!)he really is just complaining to be let out.....I don't mind early mornings but even with our heat considerations,our day shouldn't have to start this early? Despite my best attempts I feel he has learned that whining =release so i've been thinking about solutions....I don't want to stop using the crate as it can be useful and I i genuinely think he likes the secuirty of it,he goes in happily and easily every night. We do shut him in at night,I discussed with Chris leaving the door open but he thinks that he will just start whining at the gate......He's 9 months.....is he getting too old to be crated at night? I'm considering 'tough love ' tomorrow.....when he starts I'm going to ignore him .......until 5.45....when despite whatever has happened previously we would be getting ready to go for our walk and is when he reliably does his toilet.The only other 'whining' we ever had was when he first arrived and we used to put him behind the gate when we went upstairs during the day ...he's not allowed upstairs.He got a few firm 'QUIETS' shouted down from Chris and that worked,he only did it a couple of times.... Anyone had similar,sorry Ive written an essay,hope you can cut through my guff..... In Summaryo you think Im right to continue keeping him shut in the crate? Is my ignoring tactic an appropriate response to his behavior? Thankyou x
Re: I'm a Labrador....Get me Outta Here! I think Dexter has got himself into a little routine. He whines, you come, he is let out. I would change tack completely. At the first whine I would not go to him at all but bellow a very loud 'Quiet'. I would be very surprised if that doesn't work. But if he doesn't get the message, I would get even tougher.
Re: I'm a Labrador....Get me Outta Here! Thanks Heidrun....he has got control ,it frustrates me that it's slipped into this...I think the pattern was forming as we went away and then he got the upper hand of his sitter,Im not as soft as I sound......honestly
Re: I'm a Labrador....Get me Outta Here! Heidrun is right Angela , its a habit and its got to be broken, fairly but firmly , good luck
Re: I'm a Labrador....Get me Outta Here! Go, go, go! As we walked down to the vet's last week (crossing three very busy roads where no, Charlie, we can't stop in the middle to sniff, and 2 or 3 cafes with people sat right on the street WITH FOOD) I found myself trying to walk straighter, and keep control, muttering "I'm in charge, I'm in charge"....
Re: I'm a Labrador....Get me Outta Here! [quote author=Dexter link=topic=1875.msg15044#msg15044 date=1372692064] And it's me! [/quote] Had to chuckle at the clarification He is not too old to be kept in the crate overnight. I agree that it is a routine that needs to be broken. I am more into ignoring than shouting, but a good shout can bring results - especially where the behaviour itself is one that is rewarding or satisfying to the dog. Good luck! Looking forward to an update.
Re: I'm a Labrador....Get me Outta Here! Guess what.....not a peep until I went down this morning at 5.45 to let him out........little monkey!
Re: I'm a Labrador....Get me Outta Here! Haha - maybe he's been reading this forum. Great to hear that he was quiet this morning
Re: I'm a Labrador....Get me Outta Here! [quote author=Oberon link=topic=1875.msg15131#msg15131 date=1372743077] Haha - maybe he's been reading this forum. Great to hear that he was quiet this morning [/quote] ;D ;D ;D
Re: I'm a Labrador....Get me Outta Here! angela i think we will have many problems that we will have to change along the way,......looking back i have made mistakes,......leaving the back door open when he goes out to toilet, now i cant shut the door when he is out jasper as found his voice, in a morning if he sees a cant, or hears any think,.......he lets out a cough typ bark followed by a big bellow bark,...i just bring him in from the situation, we are always learning
Re: I'm a Labrador....Get me Outta Here! Bit of complaining this morning at 5.30 while I was cleaning my teeth I could hear him....gave him a firm Dexter,Quiet !and he zipped up until I went down 15 mins later....so it's getting cracked.think it's probably as I suspect,he was let out while we were away as soon as he had a whine!not to worry
