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Hi I have a Havanese female that is 11 months old and spayed. She is very well behaved, eats well, no accidents in the house, gets two great walks a day plus some rigorous play time. Recently, she has started to bark at every little thing, she even wakes up in the middle of the night and growls and barks at the back door. We let her out, sometimes she does have to go, but when she comes back in and we go back to bed, she gets back up and growls and barks at the back door? From about 5 months old, she has been able to hold it all nite long, and was never a big barker. What happened? Sometimes around 10pm she will sit on the floor in front of the couch where I am and bark incessantly at me. What gives? Someone told me to use a spray bottle to get her to stop, what is your opinion? Also how do we get her to stop doing this in the middle of the nite, we need to sleep!! Susan

Submitted: 32 days and 2 hours ago.

Category: Dog

Value: $15

Status: CLOSED

Pet's Sex: Female
Pet's Age: <1

Already Tried:
We get up and let her out thinking that is the issue. If she does pee we put her back in bed and we all go back to sleep. She still gets up and barks and growls at the back door?? As far as the barking at me I have used the spray bottle. This does get her to stop but I feel so mean doing it. I know its only water but.... She has been a model dog up until now.

Posted by Terri Riba 32 days and 1 hours ago.

Info Request

Hello,

How long have you had her?

Can she hear noises outside?

How long is she doing this?

Where does she sleep?

Any changes in her life lately?

Thanks,

Terri

32 days and 1 hours ago.

Reply

We have had her since she was 8 weeks old. She sleeps in her bed on the floor next to our bed. Sometimes she will sleep under our bed. She has always been a great sleeper. She has just started doing this about 5 days now. No new changes in her life.

Posted by Terri Riba 32 days and 1 hours ago.

Answer

Dear Susann,

I am sorry you are having trouble with your baby.

It may seem to you that everything is the same but she senses something different in the energy around her. That is causing her to think that SHE is now the boss of you instread of the other way around.She thinks she needs to guard to door and bark if she hears a sound.

Feel all over her body and check in her mouth for any abnormalities, just in case she has a health issue, like a tummy or ear ache.

Melatonin is a great calming agent:

http://www.petplace.com/drug-library/melatonin-melatonex/page1.aspx

Reestablish yourself as the pack leaded and teah her the LEAVE it command so she will stop barking instantly when told:

Nothing in life is free
http://www.winnipeghumanesociety.ca/yelp_Line/dogs/nothing_free.php

NILF being the leader
http://siriusdog.com/articles/kids-dogs-bites-safety-prey.htm

teaching the leave it command
http://www.clickerlessons.com/leaveit.htm

http://www.clickersolutions.com/articles/2001/leaveit.htm
and here is a good video on it
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hK2-DNKx9LY

She sounds like a wonderful dog. She should learn very quickly.

Warmest best wishes,

Terri

32 days and 1 hours ago.

Reply

What do you think of the water spray bottle to get her to stop barking? Some trainers offer that advice or the coins in the coffee can advise.

Posted by Terri Riba 32 days ago.

Answer

Yes you can spray water or shake coins. Either thing wil stop her for the second when she does it. BUT for long term it is best to teach her the Leave it command so when you say STOP she will know to quit barking imediately.

You can clicker train her to "speak " and be quiet instantly:
training speak & quiet
http://www.dogskool.com/web/news/summer2002/page3.html

There are also doggie door bells that you can teach the dog to use.
training to use a bell http://www.clickersolutions.com/articles/2001b/bell.htm

Doggie do or bell http://www.planeturine.com/dsp_productUnit.cfm?productUnitID=9

I hope all will be well (and quiet)....

Warmest best wishes,

Terri

30 days and 23 hours ago.

Reply

She was up again last nite at 2am and 5:30am? I am at my wits end! I need sleep. Both times she did go outside to pee but she should be able to hold it longer than that dont you agree. She also started having very loose stools in a very bright orange color, what does that mean? Should I take her to the vet?

Accepted Answer

I am so sorry you are still having trouble with her.

Bright orange stool can indicate a liver issue, pancreatitis, parasites or inection.

Diarrhea is caused by parasites or GI upsets or stress:
http://www.petplace.com/dogs/hematochezia-blood-in-stool-in-dogs/page1.aspx
here: http://www.petplace.com/dogs/chronic-diarrhea-in-dogs/page1.aspx
http://www.thepetcenter.com/exa/worms.html
http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=2&cat=1622&articleid=727
http://www.petplace.com/dogs/giardia-in-dogs/page1.aspx
http://www.beaglesunlimited.com/beaglehealth_giardiasis.htm

At this point I would see a vet today with her.You do not want to get stuck in the expensive ER over the weekend.

Please let me know how she is doing. I will always be here for you

I hope your baby feels better very soon..
Best wishes for her,
Terri

Accepts:
Expert:	Terri Riba
Pos. Feedback:	99.8 %
Answered:	10/23/2009

Healthcare Expert

Expert in canine health and behavior. 20 years of experience with dogs

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Hello,

How long have you had her?

Can she hear noises outside?

How long is she doing this?

Where does she sleep?

Any changes in her life lately?

Thanks,

Terri

Reply

We have had her since she was 8 weeks old. She sleeps in her bed on the floor next to our bed. Sometimes she will sleep under our bed. She has always been a great sleeper. She has just started doing this about 5 days now. No new changes in her life.

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What do you think of the water spray bottle to get her to stop barking? Some trainers offer that advice or the coins in the coffee can advise.

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Hello, How long have you had her? Can she hear noises outside? How long is she doing this? Where does she sleep? Any changes in her life lately? Thanks, Terri

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We have had her since she was 8 weeks old. She sleeps in her bed on the floor next to our bed. Sometimes she will sleep under our bed. She has always been a great sleeper. She has just started doing this about 5 days now. No new changes in her life.

Answer

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What do you think of the water spray bottle to get her to stop barking? Some trainers offer that advice or the coins in the coffee can advise.

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Related Dog Questions

Hello,

How long have you had her?

Can she hear noises outside?

How long is she doing this?

Where does she sleep?

Any changes in her life lately?

Thanks,

Terri