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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Original poster

Dog still waking early

22 replies

Lauresbadhairday · 16/05/2015 06:48

I posted about this a few weeks ago but only got one reply perhaps because I am new to MN and it was my first post. However the problem still exists and I would really appreciate some advice from experienced dog owners as this is my first dog.

We adopted a 6 yr old retired greyhound about 8 weeks ago. She has been fab apart from waking early. From day one has been waking between 5 & 5.30 barking, howling, whining etc. We were advised to leave her until 6.30 as that was the time she used to get let out at the kennels which we have stuck to but it has made no difference.

She is in the living room where it is dark. She settles really well at night around 10.30pm when I go to bed. She is never desperate to go out when I get up. There have been no accidents. As soon as I'm up she will wag and dance around for a few minutes then happily doze off again.

Any advice gratefully received.

OP posts:
Humansatnav · 16/05/2015 07:27

No advice I'm afraid but watching with interest as I have a 5month old lab/Springer that wakes around those times.
We know this is due to dh having to be up for work at 5 on 3 days of the week, bit would like to sleep on a bit on the other 4 Sad

Floralnomad · 16/05/2015 09:32

Have you tried putting a radio on a timer to come on around the time the dog wakes up or you could try one of those timed feeders to give the dog a small breakfast to see if that helps . I've no idea if those ideas would help as my dog has never had this problem .

Original poster
Lauresbadhairday · 16/05/2015 15:14

Thanks. Good ideas as I think she is both hungry and lonely when she wakes up. I wonder if it might help having her in our bedroom (on her own bed) but DH not keen. What does anyone think?

OP posts:
VivaLeBeaver · 16/05/2015 15:17

My dog wakes at 6:30 on weekdays and5:30 at weekends. Like bloody clockwork!

She sleeps in dds room so she's not lonely. Out in the garden for a quick wee and chase the cats, eat some cat shit and then back to bed for a mega long snooze. I'm knackered.

MsMcWoodle · 16/05/2015 15:21

Have her in the bedroom.

time4chat1 · 23/05/2015 14:49

not sure if you got sorted but try this it may just help www.cesarsway.com/dogbehavior/dogbarking/Three-Keys-to-Stop-the-Barking

MsAdorabelleDearheartVonLipwig · 23/05/2015 21:11

Cesar Milan is a cruel abusing bastard and his methods are outdated and criticised. Please do not follow any of his advice, unless you want to learn how not to treat a dog.

EasyToEatTiger · 24/05/2015 16:29

This is an interesting article about why it is probably better to leave CM's advice alone...www.livescience.com/5846-critics-challenge-dog-whisperer-methods.html

Cheerfulmarybrown · 24/05/2015 17:39

You could try feeding her later or is she cold? Greys hate the cold.......

Original poster
Lauresbadhairday · 24/05/2015 21:27

We have put some blackout linings on the curtains and she has slept until 6.45 for the past 3 mornings. Fingers crossed we've cracked it!

Cheerfulmarybrown - would you recommend we get her an indoor fleece jacket? And should she wear it every night?

OP posts:
CMOTDibbler · 24/05/2015 21:42

It would be well worth getting her a fleece housecoat anyway as she will def need one. My very fine coated lurcher loves his Milgi fleece, and wears it most nights even now - he is a very bony type and really feels it.
In fact, I can tell that he'd like it on right now as he's curled up tight asleep - he's much more comfortable spread out or upside down.

Bubble2bubble · 24/05/2015 21:48

No advice just sympathy.
6.30 is doggie up time here, but around the time the clocks change it can be 5.30 for a few weeks and it a killer. I admit I have gone back to sleep with a pillow over my head at times :(
Is it possible that your house is brighter than the kennels were? Or is there noise outside at 6.30?

Bubble2bubble · 24/05/2015 21:50

Oops - crossposted! Sounds like you may have cracked it :)

time4chat1 · 25/05/2015 08:21

id never hear of CM before, so his advice was taken as a glimmer of hope bearing in mind also i have have just a very rare moment when I've had the luxury of a lie in past 6.30 ( some mornings 5.30 am) therefore was prepared to try it for the sake of the next 10 years or more we shall hopefully have together... So Yesterday Morning (only me at home) I gave it a try they were in their cage as normal at 5.30 am and the howling was in full flow i went down took their covers of the cage made myself a cup of tea and went back to them( ignoring their behavior not looking at them until they were quiet) hour and 20 minutes later they were let out of their cage quiet.. Now this may seem harsh!! indeed i would agree if i read it!!! BUT this morning only 10 minutes that is only morning 2 so I hour and 30 minutes in total of them being upset compared to the next 10 years or so is in my opinion a result.. I have no need to pin my dogs down or mistreat them i love them dearly. So if this offends people I'm sorry but it appears to have worked wonders in our house!!! Smile

basildonbond · 25/05/2015 08:55

Time - am I reading this right? You have two puppies both in the same crate? You might want to read up on littermate syndrome and join the dog training advice and support group on Facebook run by Sally Bradbury - all the admins are qualified behaviourists and their advice is fantastic, free and kind to dogs and people

Original poster
Lauresbadhairday · 25/05/2015 10:04

6.45 again this am. Really hoping we've cracked it with the darker room.

The Milgi fleeces look gorgeous. I will def get her one as she also likes to lie spread out usually on her back in the most unladylike way possible!

Thanks all.

OP posts:
MuttonCadet · 25/05/2015 10:09

Sounds like you've cracked it! We have a couple of greys and the advice we were given is that is you need a jumper on, they need a jumper on.

I've probably taken it a bit far, but our have a couple of fleeces each as well as knitted jumpers. They love being warm and snugly. (And will crowd the fire in winter).

Original poster
Lauresbadhairday · 25/05/2015 11:08

I wonder if the extra linings on the curtains have made the room warmer too...

I've got a couple of fleeces on order. From what you are saying it sounds as if she should wear one most nights. Our house is not the warmest and we've still not got our lightweight duvet out so she could probably do with a bit of extra warmth. Are there any concerns about overheating?

OP posts:
CMOTDibbler · 25/05/2015 12:42

No - I reckon ddog1s natural coat is about equivalent to sleeping in thin pyjamas for us, so if you wouldn't be able to sleep like that, a fleece is needed. Ddog2 (who is part whippet, but has a fairly decent coat) does have a fleece, but takes it off if over warm, and rarely needs it.
In the winter, she may need a fleece during the day indoors depending on your heating, and will also need outdoor coat(s). We have a Milgi raincoat which we layer over the fleece if its really cold.

For context of what ddog1 thinks is cold, this afternoon we will be going to the town carnival so a lot of standing around. He'll want his raincoat (which is nicely windproof) on to be happy.

time4chat1 · 26/05/2015 08:03

basildonbond could you post me the link please i dont seem to be able to find it and would love to have a look Flowers

time4chat1 · 26/05/2015 08:35

Found it,,
AND I totally agree i was a fool!!!!! All of it is completely true!!! To have two same sex out of the same litter, they have been in the same crate for the last 6 years Sad , im going to invest in another crate and slowly separate them. I'm at home all day so should hopefully work over time. Any more advice would be gratefully received from a very silly dog owner Blush

basildonbond · 26/05/2015 08:38

Have pm'd you

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