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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

Evening issues, still!

45 replies

cheeseisthebest · 17/12/2021 19:47

My gorgeous nearly 7 month old shih tzu boy is such hard work in the evenings.
He sleeps through the night in my sons bedroom, 10pm until 7 ish. Never needs the toilet.
Good as gold with toileting, we have 40 minute walk every day, he has puzzle toys, kongs, he generally sleeps whilst I'm working at home, he's just mostly lovely in every way.

But the ongoing problem we've had for months is he won't settle in the evenings. He gets overtired and if I'm busy in the kitchen, etc he will settle then follow me so doesn't just relax and sleep which he really needs. Wont go in the crate hasn't for ages and we don't have a penned off area but he has a dog bed that he loves. He's anxious without me I think and when he's over tired his behaviour is exhausting, nipping jumping and barking. I do ignore this behaviour but I start to get anxious each evening thinking its going to be stressful.

OP posts:
thistimelastweek · 17/12/2021 19:50

I'm not sure he's overtired.

I think a good session of vigorous play in the evening might be what he needs.

Original poster
cheeseisthebest · 17/12/2021 19:53

We do that! My son has a good play with him early evening or I do. Chasing, fetch, etc.
Behaviourist at our vets reckoned it was over tiredness because he dozes off then jumps up when I leave the room!

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Ilikewinter · 17/12/2021 19:57

We've got a 7 month pup and he has 7pm zoomies where he tears around the front room and kitchen, we've figured out a good 30 mins of playing ball or hide and seek or something interactive and he tends to flop and is nodding off by 8pm.

Original poster
cheeseisthebest · 17/12/2021 20:03

It's not zoomies, love zoomies, they are fab!
It's hard to explain, he settles then is up again and I can just tell he's exhausted. It can go on for hours and the barking can be non stop. Sad

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MaryAndGerryLivingInDerry · 17/12/2021 20:06

We have evening nonsense too! I call it the witching hour. Usually around 4:30ish to 6ish.

icedcoffees · 17/12/2021 20:07

What do you do with him to encourage him to be calm? They need to be taught to settle down - it's not necessarily something that comes naturally to them.

I would be looking at doing things like brain games, increased mental stimulation (feeding out of Kongs or Snuffle Mats instead of a bowl) and giving him some natural chews or frozen Kongs as chewing is a relaxing activity for dogs.

So, instead of hyping him up with play as you're doing now, you need to engage him with calming activities - scatter food around, do some basic obedience training, teach him to settle on a mat/bed etc.

Original poster
cheeseisthebest · 17/12/2021 20:10

Ok I haven't said I hype him up with play just that we do do that during the day!
We do loads of training including settle, I'm always teaching and encouraging settle but it doesn't work at these times.
I wouldn't mind too much if it was half 4 to 6 but it's often 8 until 10! Sad

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Original poster
cheeseisthebest · 17/12/2021 20:11

Sorry and yep also do kongs, snuffle mat, scatter feeding, etc. Licki mat too.

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Original poster
cheeseisthebest · 17/12/2021 20:13

Having said all this he is currently fast asleep! Maybe I'm just expecting too much of hik!

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Original poster
cheeseisthebest · 17/12/2021 20:13

Him

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Original poster
cheeseisthebest · 17/12/2021 20:15

It's also the fact he can't settle unless I'm in the room too, exhausting for him being so watchful.

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Tanfastic · 17/12/2021 20:20

I've a six month Border Terrier who is a bit like this. I just put it down to him being a high energy breed though which shihtzus don't tend to be (I've owned two before). I think he'll settle down eventually, he's still young isn't he?

I would just be grateful for the other things he does right as that's how I view it with mine. He does eventually settle but it's not always till 9 pm or so. I've given mine an antler now he's got his big teeth through and that wears him out of an evening after his walk but if I walk out of the room he's straight up a bit like you say.

Original poster
cheeseisthebest · 17/12/2021 20:22

Thanks tanfastic that's good to hear.
I am so grateful for all the good bits, really hope as time goes on this improves!

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Thatldo · 17/12/2021 21:26

Make him go in his bed,if necessary with a treat.stroke him,praise him.then remove yourself a little,but still in his view.if he gets out of bed,very calmly make him go back in his bed.praise him again.this might take a bit of patience.i think your puppy has some separation anxieties.For some dogs, the switch from activity to settling takes a bit of training.i have a young collie and it took her some time to settle sometimes after activity.A command to go in her basket actually helped her to settle and reduced anxiety.

Original poster
cheeseisthebest · 17/12/2021 21:35

Thank you. Will.persevere as been trying that. I agree re separation anxiety.

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CovoidOfAllHumanity · 17/12/2021 21:58

Chewing is the only answer for my puppy

He is 7 months and will do the same thing in the evenings after tea get up and down, follow us, walk in circles, chew stuff up, bark, whine and it's not clear at all what he wants. It's not the toilet. He does want interaction but he's incapable of playing nicely at those times and it always ends badly with him getting mouthy and jumping. Even if you take him for a late extra walk he's often crazy jumping and biting the lead and our coats.
He needs to calm down and doesn't know how. A good chewing session is all that works
We send him to bed with his yak chew or paddywhack and that distracts him and helps him settle and then he konks out and sleeps.

Original poster
cheeseisthebest · 17/12/2021 22:14

I try chews! He gets so bored of them! Not tried paddywhack, what's that?
But what you are describing is exactly what he's like!

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Pumpkin5piced · 17/12/2021 22:28

My puppy is similar. Does anyone have any advice on how to train them to settle? She hates her crate now. I’ve taught her to go to bed but she’s on high alert waiting for a treat and if she doesn’t get one she’ll bark and get up. If she does get one, she’ll get up straight after.

Santahatesbraisedcabbage · 17/12/2021 22:28

YouTube.
Dog calming music.
Ours love it!!

icedcoffees · 18/12/2021 06:41

@cheeseisthebest

Ok I haven't said I hype him up with play just that we do do that during the day! We do loads of training including settle, I'm always teaching and encouraging settle but it doesn't work at these times. I wouldn't mind too much if it was half 4 to 6 but it's often 8 until 10! Sad
OP - I'm not trying to trip you up, but you said in your post upthread that both you and your son play with him early evening doing things like chase or fetch.

Unfortunately doing those things will just fire up his adrenaline and won't help to tire him out. So, if he likes a ball - hide it and get it him to find it, don't throw it and get him to fetch it - it uses his brain not his muscles.

Natural chews are fantastic for dogs - paddy whack, trachea, tendons, pizzles, pigs ears, lambs braids - they're good for your dog, will help clean his teeth and will calm him down at the same time.

I would also try tethering if it gets too bad. Literally put his collar and lead on and restrict his movements so he has no choice but to stop and lie down.

Original poster
cheeseisthebest · 19/12/2021 14:59

Thank you

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Original poster
cheeseisthebest · 19/12/2021 14:59

He has lots of chews but often no interest in them which is frustrating

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Original poster
cheeseisthebest · 26/12/2021 22:54

Just bumping this cos had a horrendous evening. He finally crashed out at 10pm. Any more advice?

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Original poster
cheeseisthebest · 26/12/2021 22:55

I do everything suggested in this thread already, he loses interest in chews so quickly. Just looks at them and wanders off.

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duvetdrama · 26/12/2021 22:57

A good chew can really settled my pup in the evening...beef tails or pizzles are her favourites. Can you expect him to sleep in the evening and then all night too though?

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