10 year old's new behavior

Change in someones routine.

This change is most likely due to some neighbor having a change in Schedule. Maybe try a calming massage. If all else fails try playing some calming white noise in the background, like a soft song or a fan. Good luck and please keep us posted.:yes:
 
elaine2004 said:
This change is most likely due to some neighbor having a change in Schedule. Maybe try a calming massage. If all else fails try playing some calming white noise in the background, like a soft song or a fan. Good luck and please keep us posted.:yes:
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I'm going through something similar with my 12 yr old mixed breed, who has always been noise sensitive. She can be extremely nervous at bedtime, to the point that she trembles, tucks her tail, follows me from room to room, and tries to wedge herself between headboard of my bed and the wall. I live a few miles away (as the crow flies) from a State Ports Authority terminal; and I believe that my dog associates the clanking of containers with thunderstorms.

I put her on clomipramine last summer, as well as getting a DAP infuser for the bedroom and a sound machine. These things have helped us.
 
I'm wracking my brains....since it does not appear to be the need to go outside or water, etc. then something else is setting him off.

The only thing I can think of is to work on the "settle" command. Do this during the day. Get him all excited playing with a toy, then with treat in hand tell him to "settle". Grab him if necessary, and as soon as he stops squirming, wriggling, jumping on you, praise and treat. Then get him excited again, and then again "settle". Repeat over and over. Hopefully, when he starts this in the middle of the night, a "settle" coming from your pillow may get him to chill again. You might need to reinforce at night by having treats beside your bed.

Or you can try "down/stays" but I don't think I've ever asked my dog to go into a stay for 3-4 hours until he was the real time to wake up. But it it might distract him enough to get him to change his habit.

As a last resort, it would be back to the crate, I think.

Not much help here! I wish I could offer more.

Good luck! Reminds me of breastfeeding my newborns! I was exhausted, but at least was on maternity leave so I did not have to be "smart" the next day. Just non-comatose!
 
Nowadays I resort to pulling the doona or sheet over my head and ignoring any pleas to get up. Except when they are barking, then they get me yelling 'shut up'. I dont broker an disturbances - unless there is someone in my yard or the house I dont want to hear about it!
 
*Caro said:
Nowadays I resort to pulling the doona or sheet over my head and ignoring any pleas to get up. Except when they are barking, then they get me yelling 'shut up'. I dont broker an disturbances - unless there is someone in my yard or the house I dont want to hear about it!
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That's what I was thinking. As long as you know that it isn't for bathroom....then try and ignore it and break the habit. It is hard for the first couple of nights, but eventually they get it....waking you up is just not going to work.
 
I don't know if this works, but you can always try it if Strider is the cuddly type. Koji wakes up to what we believe is the sprinkler system (we live in a condo, so they change the cycles at times). We wondered what could be waking him up at 4am. We figured it was the sprinklers, closed the window, and voila, next day, up at 5:30 as usual.

however, like you, there are days he just wont' settle down and is determined to wake us up. What we found out works...is when we pull him up on the bed, and hold him. He likes to be held and falls asleep. Even when he wakes up early or we're not ready to get out of bed. We just hold him next to us and he'll go back to bed for another hour (this is w/o pottying or eating yet).

If Strider is the type that is okay and likes to be held, maybe he'll calm down enough to get back to bed.

Good luck and get some rest. I know the feeling. It took us awhile to figure out what would calm him down. Obviously, he likes to be held. lol.
 
I thought the same thing, like maybe he is scared. When he wakes you up would he let you hold him like you would to re-assure a baby in the night?
And pat him on the back when you hold him, then lay him back down.
 
*Caro said:
Nowadays I resort to pulling the doona or sheet over my head and ignoring any pleas to get up. Except when they are barking, then they get me yelling 'shut up'. I dont broker an disturbances - unless there is someone in my yard or the house I dont want to hear about it!
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Yes, I'm sure that Victoria Stillwell had an episode on "Shaddup, you fool dog!" Snort! :winkgrin:

p.s. I've resorted to pulling the blankets up and hiding as well! :lol::rolleyes2:
 
This is my sisters suggestion (actually it was her suggestion to stop the kitten attacking me at 5am - but it will prob work for a dog too)

Put a water bottle under the sheets when you go to bed and when he wakes you up - squirt him! He will soon stop waking you up.

I will be trying it tonight - altho I think I will keep the water bottle on the bedside table.
 
Well this week has gone a little better. After really watching him I think he is scared. He is very noise sensitive. So I have been putting him up with me but making him lay at my feet (because he licks my forehead). That seems to be working. Because of his injuries he can't jump up on the bed. I was thinking maybe he just wants to be up there. Before he never really liked being on the bed and would just try to get down. He has been very clingy lately. I am never in a room without him. He won't leave my side. Lays right outside the shower door. It's odd and I often wonder whats going on. Vet check was fine but I may call and explain his behavior. Thanks for all the suggestions. I have found a new favorite site.

Thanks, Konni and Strider
 
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