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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To dislike my dog right now?

41 replies

QuestionableMouse · 22/04/2016 05:46

As soon as it gets light every morning he starts howling to be 'up' and I can't cope with it much longer! He's fine (vet checked a couple of weeks ago), wants nothing (has access to dry food, water and has been out to toilet within the last ten minutes). He just doesn't want to be in the kitchen where he sleeps and I can't fucking cope for much longer. I've had three hours sleep (was on a late shift at work).

I don't know what else to do with him. He wants for nothing, gets a good walk every day but I feel like he's ruining my life right now. I just want a nights sleep without running about after him ffs!

OP posts:

rembrandtsrockchick · 22/04/2016 13:06

Nellie is sixteen years old, has always been anxious and a bit of a drama queen. Since my husband died late last year her anxiety has gone up and her need for reassurance during the early hours has also increased.
Bladder weakness has also become a bit of an issue and 4am walks are becoming more regular. Sight and hearing are dimminished, tolerance of cold also (she wakes me if the stove dies down during the night).
I am very aware that she is coming to the latter stages of her life so am much more tolerant than I would have been when she was younger.
I understand that sleep deprivation is an absolute bugger and wish I had some advice to give. It's very possible that dementia is rearing it's ugly head. I took Nellie to the vet and she was given medication which helped for a while but then seemed to lose effectiveness.
Blackout curtains/blinds are a good idea...Nellie also wakes at dawn!
Best of luck.

fuctifino · 22/04/2016 13:08

We too have a 15 year old dog who has decided that 5:45am is getting up time. Myself and dh take it in turns to get up with her.
Rather annoyingly, she doesn't get up to toilet, it just seems that she wants to see a friendly face. I take her to the living room and have a cuddle on the sofa.
I'll miss her when she's gone

fuctifino · 22/04/2016 13:09

Oh dear Matt, has he/she got age as an excuse?

Leviticus · 22/04/2016 13:10

pigs oh!!! And thanks, it does

liz I'm quaking at the very thought

MattDillonsPants · 22/04/2016 13:25

Fuc yes he's only 6 months....

Mishaps · 22/04/2016 13:26

YANBU - all dogs are grim - hate away to your heart's content!

liz70 · 22/04/2016 13:28

Was it clean or dirty laundry? Our dog once pissed in a basket of clean stuff awaiting hanging up. someone remind me why I have a dog.

Lockheart · 22/04/2016 13:28

Oh god, I don't have any help but I'm following this thread with interest. My labrador (7 years old) has done this since he was about 18 months. He also wants for nothing, is not our only dog, we've checked him with the vet, he has his own space, access to water etc, but he'll start whining and scratching at the door at anytime from about 4.30am. He doesn't need to go out (you let him out and he turns round and comes straight back in), he's just a clingy little bastard. I suspect it's some form of separation anxiety - even though he's fine between 10pm and 4am, for some reason - and have tried all kinds of (shockingly expensive) calming sprays / tablets / those collars that release pheromones, making the rooms darker, shutting him away from the bedrooms so he can't whine at the door (he just starts barking), spraying the little git with water etc. None of them work.

Other people in the house can get up, walk the dogs, feed the dogs, and he will STILL come and whine outside the door if I'm not up. The problem is that sooner or later I have to get up, so every day he gets positive reinforcement from it.

It's like having a permanent baby that gets you up at night :(

Lifecanonlygetbetter · 22/04/2016 13:46

My cat is 16, was diagnosed with a liver tumour and given three months to live 18 months ago. He is not in pain. He is also quite deaf and a bit confused as the tumour is possibly spreading to his brain, but he is happy, eats well and spends half the day with me and half the day with neighbour. He does not like using a litter tray at times, so we have the odd accident. The vet says that he is in great condition despite the tumour and obviously has a strong desire to keep ticking along.
He likes to sit on my head during the night, or get in bed with me if he is cold until he warms up, then he gets out again. He wants to go out at 6am now the mornings are lighter. It is like having a newborn again, but he is, and always has been, such a lovely cat that I put up with having the broken nights as there will come a time fairly soon when we will have to go to the vets for the last time.

MattDillonsPants · 22/04/2016 13:48

Liz It wasn't in the actual clothing but in the laundry room...all over the floor. He walked through it too.

MrsJayy · 22/04/2016 13:49

Ive a mesh basket for hanging out the washing jay dog cocked his leg and pissed right through it bastard had to rewash it all and wipe down my leg

bilbodog · 22/04/2016 14:18

My 13 yr old seems to get anxious these days on his own and the vet says he often sees it in older dogs. As he has arthritis we were leaving him downstairs as he cant climb them anymore but he started barking and weeing. We now carry him upststairs every night where he is happy as larry sleeping on our floor.

SeptemberFlowers · 22/04/2016 15:15

Leviticus Apologies if you were joking - I didn't read it as tongue in cheek, there must be another MN user who has a similar name as I remembered reading a post from someone who posted they hated dogs and so I jumped in quick.

Leviticus · 22/04/2016 15:39

No worries. It was a pretty crap joke.

Jayne35 · 22/04/2016 15:54

We have an elderly Staffie who has started wanting to get up at all hours, have found we get some peace if she is allowed on ours or dcs bed, I know it's not ideal and I'm not keen but I really do like sleeping .

We used to have two dogs who slept in their own beds downstairs but all rules went out of the window when one had to be pts though. From this thread I'm guessing they just need less sleep when old aged - or they are sleeping all day.

Veterinari · 22/04/2016 16:02

I'd definitely speak to your vet re: senile cognitive dysfunction, also known as canine dementia. Its common in older dogs and displays as anxiety, clinginess, confusion and sometimes a lack of toileting control .
Unfortunately most vets are poorly trained in behavioural issues so you need to push - the recommended medication is Selgian, it usually works very well.

An alternative might be a physical toileting issue. e.g If he's in pain from arthritis and isn't completely able to empty his bowel or bladder before bed because he can't posture properly then he may need to go to the loo earlier in the morning. In this case pain relief would help

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