Bit of background - back in 2014 I got a bichon frise from the pound. She’d obviously been in a home before and got very attached to me. We then got another dog the following year, a terrier, who she got on great with - would sleep with him downstairs in the kitchen, cuddle up etc. Unfortunately terrier ran away last year and I let the bichon sleep in my room as she was lonely and sad.
The problem is that she makes a lot of noise during the night, wandering around, messing about with her covers and sometimes won’t use the dog flap to go outside for the toilet. I’m a very poor sleeper so this has been a big problem. We also feel sorry for her as, although she’s not alone for extremely long periods, she’s used to dog company. Her clinginess with me is getting worse so we though we should get her a companion
So I got a greyhound on Sunday - he was described as calm and low-energy - which he is - and that he also needed the company of another dog. Sounded perfect! The bichon is ok with him, they’re still figuring each other out.The problem with him is that although he’s ok going to bed he wakes up between 12.30 and 2.30 and will keep barking for ages - up to two hours. Which is obviously terrible for my neighbours and me.
I know I should let him bark it out but last night he was barking very loud for very long so went downstairs and yelled at him to go to bed. The bichon came with me and hearing that she also went to bed. I had a lightbulb moment and left her there as well as the ultimate aim was always she would move downstairs with him anyway. This was after 2am at this point and also Christmas night so my decision-making abilities may not have been great.
Bear in mind there are five places they can sleep downstairs, including an entire sofa and four very comfy dog beds.
The bichon cried and barked and banged on the door for hours to the extent that I had to take a sleeping pill and use white noise and still didn’t get much sleep. She’s very stubborn.
I’m so very worried about tonight as I’ve had four nights with very little sleep at this point and I don’t want let the bichon frise back upstairs. Does anybody please have any advice as to how I can make them settle? They have everything the need downstairs, beds, water, everything and I just want some sleep. I really need this sorted by the time we go back to work and school.
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The doghouse
Really need advice or may go crazy from sleep deprivation
16 replies
TheBeastAwakens · 26/12/2019 11:20
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