Barking

[xenacleo]

I don't know if I have this in the right section but here goes. I have a 14 month old male Rottie that has once again been causing problems. At night he sleeps in his crate. He has always been good with it (after he stopped trying to break out all the time) and for the last few weeks we haven't had any problems. Recently, about 3 days ago, he has started to bark and howl at around 4:30 in the morning. He continues to bark every few minutes until we get up for work. I've tried taking him out, playing with him, I even took him to the vet on Sat. to see if anything was wrong. He was in perfect health. We can't get him to stop barking so early. He has plenty of toys and bones in his cage, he's not alone, I have a female Akita in the crate next to him. NO MATTER WHAT I DO I CAN'T GET HIM TO STOP!! My husband now wants to put a muzzle on him so we can get some sleep. I don't want to but haven't slept in days (I have two jobs and don't get home from my night one until 1:00 am and have to wake up for my day one at 6:00). Any suggestions would be GREATLY appreciated!!!!!!!!!
Thanks!

[Caleb'sMom]

What time do you put him in at night?

[xenacleo]

My husband puts him in at 10:30 and then I let them out for about 1/2 hr to go outside at 1:00. It has been like this for the last 10 months.

[Caleb'sMom]

Here's what I would try. Take him out for a walk and a pee at 1030, for about a half hour. Then, put him in the crate and leave him be. No out again at 1am. Come in through a different door where he can't see you. My thinking is that he hasn't been taught a full night's sleep, and sees everything as naps. Do this for a week (or more?) consistently, while ignoring the barking completely until 6 am. Get some earplugs. http://www.rottweiler.net/rottie/smile.gif Don't responde to his barking in the morning.

I haven't had to do this, but it is what I would try. Oh yeah, no water after 9 if you walk him and pee him at 1030.

[xenacleo]

It's worth a try. I have a back door I can come in where he won't see or hear me. Your probably right. We'll see what happens.

[CPBrock]

would it be possible for you to try letting him sleep outside of his crate? Ipersonally don't use a crate, and I know my Rott likes to move from room to room throughout the night, sleeping in one place, then over to another. My GSDs always did that too.

[xenacleo]

Actually, I can't. He is a very destructive dog when not watched (ex: chewing, clearing off my counters for me, barking at people and cars outside etc...). I have recently been taking him out a little later at night and moved his crate right next to my Akitas. He is doing fine now.

[Paxx]

I am moving this to Training.