excessive barking in the middle of the night...HELP - YorkieTalk.com Forums

codysmom · 05-17-2007, 04:50 AM

it just started two nights ago, up until then he was fine. Cody is a little over 7 months. two night ago he started crying and then barking for an hour straight, at midnight. and then at 2, and then at 5,
i don't know what is wrong, what do i do? he usually sleeps fine!

Ladylavender · 05-17-2007, 04:57 AM

Where does he sleep, with you, in a crate or does he have full access to your home?

If he is in a crate have you tried covering up the crate with a blanket or towel, so that he is enclosed and may feel safer?

Millie will bark at night too, so we have had to keep her in our room, with the doors closed so she does not have access to the rest of the house. She sleeps on her bed on the floor or on the bed with us, but does not bark when she is enclosed in the room with us.

CocoChanel07 · 05-17-2007, 05:00 AM

Great question. We are having the same issue. I am soooooooooooo tired!

codysmom · 05-17-2007, 05:09 AM

he sleeps in a crate in a walk in closet with the door slightly opened. he's a full size yorkie, so it's more like a little cage that the plastic crate. we've been doing this consistently for several months now with now problem, nothing has changed. but all of a sudden he just started two nights ago and now i'm exhausted. i can't keep doing this.

ldenise · 05-17-2007, 05:35 AM

mine did that too. it let me know that it was time to let them in bed with us.
I'm probably not giving you good advice.........but that was actually what mine was wanting so I let them do it. we got 4 in bed with us and no room for us!
good luck.

Peters · 05-17-2007, 05:42 AM

get a muzzle or a bark shock collar or train the dog not to bark this may also mean they need to go out to go potty

Ladylavender · 05-17-2007, 05:48 AM

How far is the closet from your bed? Is it in the same room as you sleep? Try putting a blanket over the cage to make a den like feel to it. I would try to take him out to go potty. But right back in the crate with no conversation, so he knows this is strictly business and not play or concession to his barking.

Otherwise, I have no suggestions, sorry.

ladyjane · 05-17-2007, 06:36 AM

There are many positive ways to help a dog learn when it is ok to bark and when not. Barking is their only way of communication.
I would think that if this dog is used to sleeping in a crate, something has happened. (unless it really is asking to go outside). Do you give attention everytime it barks? Even if you ask it to be quiet, you are giving attention.
I would start putting him in that crate for short periods a bit earlier than bedtime and when there is NO barking, give lots of praise.
I do it with mine when they get out of control and start barking when I am on the phone. I simply get up, go in another room and close the door. Funny, after doing that just one time now, they KNOW and that nonsense does not start for perhaps weeks when they decide to *test* me again.

Vinnie's Mom · 05-17-2007, 06:36 AM

I would think he wants to be in bed. If he's not barking all day the same way he is at night i would hesitate to say something is wrong, and if it's consistent I would hesitate to say he hears something. I think the little guy is lonely. Mine is approaching 7 months and doing very well with the potty training, still an accident here and there, but he's even getting the poo down on occasion. He sleeps in a crate and i was wondering when it would be safe to transfer him to a little bed, i don't know if our bed is the right place just yet.

ARCHIE · 05-17-2007, 06:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by codysmom

he sleeps in a crate in a walk in closet with the door slightly opened. he's a full size yorkie, so it's more like a little cage that the plastic crate. we've been doing this consistently for several months now with now problem, nothing has changed. but all of a sudden he just started two nights ago and now i'm exhausted. i can't keep doing this.

Please get him out of the closet and in with you! How lonesome he must
be. Does he have room to move and stretch out in the cage? Can you
put him next to your bed perhaps tied to the leg of your dresser and
let him sleep in a dog bed if you don't want him on your bed. To be honest I would cry too if I were in a
closet with the door half shut. He needs your company during the night.
That's all he's asking for. Think about it and it may solve your delema.

my2boyz · 05-17-2007, 08:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peters

get a muzzle or a bark shock collar or train the dog not to bark this may also mean they need to go out to go potty

I would never recommend using a shock collar of any kind on a dog...much less a small dog. Muzzeling him or shocking him would just be satisfying your own needs at the time, not his. Can you imagine a person whose sleep is interrupted by a crying dog and they're angry about it...and they're also in control of a shock collar...things could get pretty ugly!

I would get him out of the closet...he may be barking because he hears something but can't see anything. How do you know he isn't trying to warn you of something or that he needs to potty? My boyz sometimes get up during the night for a drink or a little snack. He may also just want to be near you, dogs are pack animals, they need attention and companionship. Does he get enough excersize during the day? He may be restless after being crated for a few hours, maybe a good walk or extended playtime before bed will help him sleep better.

Lexi Rae · 05-17-2007, 09:21 AM

lexi still barks at night, i think because she is bored.. i would never put her in
another room and close the door.. thats just crazy.... if you rough them up
enough in the daytime, they will sleep like a baby in the evening... besides
the boredom, they feel as though they have to protect you and thats
another reason... whatever the answer is, it doesnt matter, keep your baby with you...

yorkiegirl83 · 05-17-2007, 11:22 AM

Why don't you just get an xpen or something and put it right near your bed so that your baby can feel close to you? Mine sleep in the dining room, but I have 4 so that is their "pack". With Bentley when he cried in the night I moved him into my room and would put my hand down into the expen and cuddle him until he fell asleep. So it could be lonliness, boredom, protectivness.. but please dont use any kind of anti bark device or muzzle.. that is just cruel.

DianeW · 05-17-2007, 02:01 PM

I Honestly Dont Think There Is Anything Wrong With Your Dog Sleeping In A Seperate Room Than Yourself.

Harvey Has Slept In His Crate In The Kitchen Downstairs Ever Since We Got Him, And Yes I Am Sure If He Had The Choice He Would Prefer To Be In Our Bedroom - But I Think It Is Important That We Have Our Own Space. He Is With Us Constantly Except At His Bedtime Which Is Usually 12.30-1am Until 7.30 Am. He Goes To Bed With No Fuss And Sleeps Soundly All Night.

I Think It Is Important To Find The Right Way For You And Your Family - But Dont Feel Bad If You Dont Have Your Baby Sleeping With You, There Is Nothing Wrong With Sleeping Apart. They Get Used To Your Own Routein Very Quickly, Just Be Consistant, And Make Sure He Is Not Fooling You Into Giving Him Attention.

I Am Sure Things Will Work Out Well.

robbin · 05-18-2007, 04:30 AM

I agree, no shock collar, their trachea's are too fragile. My Mugzy will bark at nite if he hears or sees our cat, or even if he hears the kids going in to the bathroom - because it's dark and he can't see who it is.

I also agree that maybe he should move closer to you...if you don't want him in the bed, at least move his crate closer to you so he knows you're there. I'm all for him in the bed, though

05-17-2007, 04:50 AM	#1
codysmom Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Westchester Posts: 35	excessive barking in the middle of the night...HELP it just started two nights ago, up until then he was fine. Cody is a little over 7 months. two night ago he started crying and then barking for an hour straight, at midnight. and then at 2, and then at 5, i don't know what is wrong, what do i do? he usually sleeps fine!

05-17-2007, 04:57 AM	#2
Ladylavender YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Soddy Daisy, TN Posts: 733	Where does he sleep, with you, in a crate or does he have full access to your home? If he is in a crate have you tried covering up the crate with a blanket or towel, so that he is enclosed and may feel safer? Millie will bark at night too, so we have had to keep her in our room, with the doors closed so she does not have access to the rest of the house. She sleeps on her bed on the floor or on the bed with us, but does not bark when she is enclosed in the room with us. __________________ Sheila and Sweet Millie Sage and Jasmine Rose

05-17-2007, 05:35 AM	#5
ldenise YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Rancho Viejo, Tx Posts: 2,698	mine did that too. it let me know that it was time to let them in bed with us. I'm probably not giving you good advice.........but that was actually what mine was wanting so I let them do it. we got 4 in bed with us and no room for us! good luck. __________________ Buckeye, Ahia, Tressie, Archie & LDenise Dogs are really people with short legs in fur coats

05-17-2007, 05:42 AM	#6
Peters YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Alabama Posts: 2,225	get a muzzle or a bark shock collar or train the dog not to bark this may also mean they need to go out to go potty __________________ A pet's love is true right from the start, through good times and bad, like sharing one heart.

05-17-2007, 05:48 AM	#7
Ladylavender YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Soddy Daisy, TN Posts: 733	How far is the closet from your bed? Is it in the same room as you sleep? Try putting a blanket over the cage to make a den like feel to it. I would try to take him out to go potty. But right back in the crate with no conversation, so he knows this is strictly business and not play or concession to his barking. Otherwise, I have no suggestions, sorry. __________________ Sheila and Sweet Millie Sage and Jasmine Rose

05-17-2007, 05:00 AM	#3
CocoChanel07 Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 29	Great question. We are having the same issue. I am soooooooooooo tired!

05-17-2007, 05:09 AM	#4
codysmom Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Westchester Posts: 35	he sleeps in a crate in a walk in closet with the door slightly opened. he's a full size yorkie, so it's more like a little cage that the plastic crate. we've been doing this consistently for several months now with now problem, nothing has changed. but all of a sudden he just started two nights ago and now i'm exhausted. i can't keep doing this.

05-17-2007, 06:36 AM	#8
ladyjane Resident Yorkie Nut Donating YT 20K Club Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 27,471	There are many positive ways to help a dog learn when it is ok to bark and when not. Barking is their only way of communication. I would think that if this dog is used to sleeping in a crate, something has happened. (unless it really is asking to go outside). Do you give attention everytime it barks? Even if you ask it to be quiet, you are giving attention. I would start putting him in that crate for short periods a bit earlier than bedtime and when there is NO barking, give lots of praise. I do it with mine when they get out of control and start barking when I am on the phone. I simply get up, go in another room and close the door. Funny, after doing that just one time now, they KNOW and that nonsense does not start for perhaps weeks when they decide to test me again.

05-17-2007, 06:36 AM	#9
Vinnie's Mom YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: PENNSYLVANIA Posts: 767	I would think he wants to be in bed. If he's not barking all day the same way he is at night i would hesitate to say something is wrong, and if it's consistent I would hesitate to say he hears something. I think the little guy is lonely. Mine is approaching 7 months and doing very well with the potty training, still an accident here and there, but he's even getting the poo down on occasion. He sleeps in a crate and i was wondering when it would be safe to transfer him to a little bed, i don't know if our bed is the right place just yet.

05-17-2007, 09:21 AM	#12
Lexi Rae Gina, (Lexi's Mommy) Donating Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: LONG ISLAND,NY Posts: 10,455	lexi still barks at night, i think because she is bored.. i would never put her in another room and close the door.. thats just crazy.... if you rough them up enough in the daytime, they will sleep like a baby in the evening... besides the boredom, they feel as though they have to protect you and thats another reason... whatever the answer is, it doesnt matter, keep your baby with you... __________________ Gina & Lexi CLICK HERE for our Photo Album ...

05-17-2007, 11:22 AM	#13
yorkiegirl83 Love My Furbabies! Donating Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: somewhere Posts: 4,427	Why don't you just get an xpen or something and put it right near your bed so that your baby can feel close to you? Mine sleep in the dining room, but I have 4 so that is their "pack". With Bentley when he cried in the night I moved him into my room and would put my hand down into the expen and cuddle him until he fell asleep. So it could be lonliness, boredom, protectivness.. but please dont use any kind of anti bark device or muzzle.. that is just cruel.

05-17-2007, 02:01 PM	#14
DianeW YT Addict Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Cheshire, England. Posts: 489	I Honestly Dont Think There Is Anything Wrong With Your Dog Sleeping In A Seperate Room Than Yourself. Harvey Has Slept In His Crate In The Kitchen Downstairs Ever Since We Got Him, And Yes I Am Sure If He Had The Choice He Would Prefer To Be In Our Bedroom - But I Think It Is Important That We Have Our Own Space. He Is With Us Constantly Except At His Bedtime Which Is Usually 12.30-1am Until 7.30 Am. He Goes To Bed With No Fuss And Sleeps Soundly All Night. I Think It Is Important To Find The Right Way For You And Your Family - But Dont Feel Bad If You Dont Have Your Baby Sleeping With You, There Is Nothing Wrong With Sleeping Apart. They Get Used To Your Own Routein Very Quickly, Just Be Consistant, And Make Sure He Is Not Fooling You Into Giving Him Attention. I Am Sure Things Will Work Out Well. __________________ Take Care - Diane and little Harvey MEMBER OF THE SPOILED ROTTEN CLUB AND PETITE PUPS UNITED

05-18-2007, 04:30 AM	#15
robbin Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Pottstown, PA Posts: 111	I agree, no shock collar, their trachea's are too fragile. My Mugzy will bark at nite if he hears or sees our cat, or even if he hears the kids going in to the bathroom - because it's dark and he can't see who it is. I also agree that maybe he should move closer to you...if you don't want him in the bed, at least move his crate closer to you so he knows you're there. I'm all for him in the bed, though