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The doghouse

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

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Original poster

Rescue dog crying at night

26 replies

Wombat8 · 20/12/2023 06:35

Hi all. I've had rescue dogs all my life and I've clearly been lucky as they've all slept through the night! We've had Ddog for 2 weeks. He's a St Bernard, 5 years old and came from a family who had to give him up due to a change in circumstances, so came from a good home according to the rescue centre. He's a fantastic dog in every other way and I'm experienced with giants. Issue is he just won't settle at night. He's had me up every hour on the hour for 2 weeks and I'm utterly exhausted. First few nights we took it in turns to sleep with him downstairs but he was still waking us up hourly for attention or to go outside. I've moved back to bed but his crying has continued. I don't know what to do with him. When he cries in the night, I go downstairs and let him out with minimal fuss and he often doesn't do his business, he just lies outside. I get him settled and go back to bed and within an hour the crying starts. I know that currently, he cries, I appear so in his mind his crying gets the result he wants , i.e me. Any advice please! Thanks

OP posts:

Milliemoos5 · 20/12/2023 06:42

Yes sleep downstairs with him for as long as it takes for him to feel safe and settled in his new home, may take a few days or a few weeks.

is it an option he sleeps upstairs with you? He’s crying cos he’s scared, likely has separation anxiety

growingonmyass · 20/12/2023 06:55

Have you left a radio on? Just clutching at straws here - I've never had a rescue but it's worked for puppies.

Original poster

Wombat8 · 20/12/2023 06:55

Thanks. He has a good bedtime routine. Long walk before bed, TV on low all night and a comfy place to sleep. Is this likely to self resolve as he becomes more secure and settled in his routine? I don't think it matters where he sleeps, if I sleep with him or he sleeps upstairs with me, he's waking up and needing comfort and reassurance and wanting to go outside. If he initially settles downstairs alone, he'll also cry and I get up to see to him. I just want him to be happy and I'm also thinking of me, I WFH but I'm barely functioning right now! I'm hoping this will sort itself out once he's feeling settled. For a middle aged giant, he's very active. Not one to snooze, he's on the go all the time which makes me think he's anxious. All my rescue giants have been lazy and will happily sleep for 12 hours no issues

OP posts:

Sprig1 · 20/12/2023 06:56

Might he be too hot if he wants to lie outside?

Original poster

Wombat8 · 20/12/2023 07:00

I whack the heating off early and it's bloody freezing by bedtime but he's longhaired so it could be that

OP posts:

NotObligedToArgueWithStrangers · 20/12/2023 07:14

A crate in the bedroom with you and some ear plugs? He might settle knowing you're there and he can see you, but get used to the fact you're not going to respond to him? He's probably going to take some time to feel safe and will settle eventually, but you probably need him to realise you won't be up and down with him all night or that's going to become a harder habit to break.

Original poster

Wombat8 · 20/12/2023 07:45

Thank you. I don't have room for a crate in the bedroom, he's 14 stone so a massive boy. I'm thinking stick with a long walk before bed and then get him settled upstairs. If he cries, get him to lie down with no fuss or attention. Would this eventually work do you think?

OP posts:

PolizeiobermeisterWache · 20/12/2023 08:21

Does he want to be outside??? Did he sleep outside in his previous home??? Perhaps in some kind of kennel with a run or something?

margotrose · 20/12/2023 08:22

Does he have a cool floor that he can lie on? He's probably too hot, it's been very mild here lately.

Our family friend had a St Bernard and he used to sleep on the cold kitchen tiles or outside year round.

nottaotter · 20/12/2023 08:25

@Wombat8 is the long walk before bedtime waking him up and getting him going maybe? Foxes outside? There must be a reason he is unsettled at night if he is generally ok in day.

If you leave the room in day does he follow or will he stay settled ?

Can you get ready for bed super early and then subtly fall asleep on the sofa with lights on? So there is no transition in his mind, then if he stays settled slowly work backwards.

Tittiesthattouchmytors · 20/12/2023 08:38

If he is used to sleeping in the bed, that might be the better option.

IngGenius · 20/12/2023 08:42

I would want a vet check to rule out discomfort when lying down.

JustOneMoreBaileys · 20/12/2023 08:44

I'd rule out the suggestions above (eg pain) but also wanted to mention I once had a dog who was scared of the dark.

I left a lamp on for him overnight and the crying stopped.

Original poster

Wombat8 · 20/12/2023 08:49

He's had a vet check up and he's in top condition. He seems very healthy, I think I'm dealing with a classic case of separation anxiety which is more bothersome at night when trying to sleep. He does sometimes cry if I leave the room and I really need to nip this in the bud for his happiness and my sanity. He can sleep in his bed, on the rug, on the tiles kitchen floor, wherever he likes. He just won't settle. Some great advice so far, thank you

OP posts:

HelenaHandcart · 20/12/2023 08:50

Hi OP, I know it sounds odd, but catnip is very calming for dogs. It really helped my giant boy after he was waking & crying after a traumatising event involving a hospital stay for him. I put loads in a worn t-shirt of mine & he always slept better and longer with it. Hope he settles soon.

margotrose · 20/12/2023 08:51

Have you tried leaving him with something that smells strongly of you as a comfort item?

HerMammy · 20/12/2023 08:54

It's only been two weeks, it can take
months to adjust to a new home, be patient

IngGenius · 20/12/2023 08:54

If it is true separation anxiety then get in the professionals - it is really hard to just nip it in the bud.

If it is separation distress due to being in a new location the proven way is to prevent the dog from feeling the distress by being with them for as long as they need.

The fact the dog is not comfortable when you are with them does not sound like separation distress

IngGenius · 20/12/2023 09:00

I would be looking at general calming and de stressing through out the day to bring stress levels down.

Lots of calming activities, sniffing, licking, chewing etc mapped into the day.

Encourage a specific area for the dog to relax in and use this area in the day when the dog is less stressed. This area will begin to be associated with being calm and content and easier for the dog to settle at night.

The walk at night I would change to a calm sniffy look at the stars type of walk rather than an energetic lets tire the dog out walk.

I would also be encouraging loads and loads of sleep in the day. This will not mean they will be less likely to sleep at night but the opposite a calm chilled dog will sleep a lot.

ginoohginoginelli · 20/12/2023 10:47

Shamelessly only here for the photos!!

oakleaffy · 20/12/2023 10:56

Sprig1 · 20/12/2023 06:56

Might he be too hot if he wants to lie outside?

This was my immediate thought ( if in U.K. where it is winter)
St Bernards have phenomenally heavy coats.
To want to be outdoors in the cool damp without doing a wee hints at him liking the cooler temps?

Especially is he still demands to go out when @Wombat8 is with him.

I slept alongside my Whippet ( she was crated as advised) but she only slept through when actually on (in) my bed.

A St Bernard is a big dog though so not practical to share a bed with(?)

Hopefully he settles
Maybe his Separation Anxiety is the reason he was given to the rescue-
Some people try to minimise the reason for rehoming- as they assume it will make it less likely the dog will be accepted.

oakleaffy · 20/12/2023 11:00

HerMammy · 20/12/2023 08:54

It's only been two weeks, it can take
months to adjust to a new home, be patient

This is very true.

Two weeks is very early days.

A new home , however lovely, is still stressful for a dog til he or she learns the routines of the household.

Our first Lurcher slept in same room as us but had Separation anxiety.

It took months for her to really settle and be happy and relaxed.

someone89 · 15/03/2025 13:54

@Wombat8 just came across your post. I have been experiencing a very similar situation with my 3,5 years old rescue dog. We adopted him 1,5 months ago and even though the situation has partially improved, he still gets agitated at night and cries, paces and barks. We have really tried everything to help him and as a last resort our vet recommended medication, which has helped a bit, but hasn't solved the problem. We are extremely exhausted. I thought I'd ask if your dog managed to settle in the end, because we are losing hope here.

solvendie · 18/03/2025 20:44

Does he need to be in a crate? Can you let him move around as he needs to? Our GR likes to move sleeping positions and night and a crate would not allow him to do this.

petproject · 18/03/2025 21:57

We let our dog sleep in his bed in our bedroom - it had never been an issue, he always sleeps through the night.

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