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Cocker Specific Discussion => Behaviour & Training => Topic started by: DarceyTheDog on June 14, 2011, 12:26:28 AM

Title: Crate scratching at night
Post by: DarceyTheDog on June 14, 2011, 12:26:28 AM
Some of you may know Darcey has had the runs on and off alot lately so when she scratched at her crate on a night to get out I always got up to take her to the loo and straight back to bed/crate but now she seems to be making a habit of scratching just to go out for a sniff! It's causing loss of sleep and I don't know the best way to stop it off. It's got to the point that every other night 5 mins after going to bed she's scratching. I can't ignore her on a dodgy tummy day but the rest of the time I try talking to her to try settle her then go back to bed and she some times carries on other times goes to sleep. So basically does anyone know the best way to sort this out?

Thanks
Title: Re: Crate scratching at night
Post by: Sheepscheeks on June 14, 2011, 09:50:21 PM
We had an issue with Freddie barking at 5am - went on for months. Not caused by tummy upset I might add. He had just got used to barking to get us up (even though we ignored him, or tried to, for ages). A friend suggested going down and telling him in no uncertain terms to "be quiet, go back to sleep" which we did for about 3 or 4 mornings and that stopped it! Can't believe the solution was so easy in the end! I was going almost insane waking up from 4am onwards just waiting for him to start barking! Don't know if this is something you would consider doing - I guess a few people would say it is almost aversive, although we didn't shout at him, just spoke in a stern voice through the crate bars. ;)
Title: Re: Crate scratching at night
Post by: DarceyTheDog on June 14, 2011, 10:25:22 PM
I'll try it tonight well I'll get the OH to do it coz he does the voice of death really well lol
Title: Re: Crate scratching at night
Post by: Karma on June 15, 2011, 11:39:43 AM

I'd be wary of doing this as  this might stop her alerting you in future when she has a runny tum...  :-\ 

We have had this with Honey, and a night of consistently going down, letting her into the garden and putting her straight back in her crate has always put her back on track - if she was using the trip to the garden for a sniff, I'd stick her lead on, and just step outside with her so she could go to the loo if needbe, but couldn't investigate further. 

It's tiring (especially as last time she tried it was when Isobel was 4 months, so up a lot in the night as well!), but for us it was important that Honey knows we will come to her if she needs us...  ;)

Early morning waking is a slightly different kettle of fish, and we've bashed on the ceiling to shut her up when she's pushed her luck in that department before!!!  :005:
Title: Re: Crate scratching at night
Post by: DarceyTheDog on June 15, 2011, 06:52:31 PM
Well she was ok last night went out about 5 mins before bed and she didn't make a sound so hopefully she'll carry on unless she really needs to go.
Title: Re: Crate scratching at night
Post by: poppy on June 15, 2011, 06:57:03 PM
Well she was ok last night went out about 5 mins before bed and she didn't make a sound so hopefully she'll carry on unless she really needs to go.

That is good news.  Let's hope that this stays this way.  Well done Darcey :banana: :clapping:
Title: Re: Crate scratching at night
Post by: Sheepscheeks on June 15, 2011, 10:13:34 PM

I'd be wary of doing this as  this might stop her alerting you in future when she has a runny tum...  :-\ 

Yes, this is the down side, I agree. ph34r
Title: Re: Crate scratching at night
Post by: DarceyTheDog on June 16, 2011, 12:47:39 AM
Argghhh here we go again! 12.40! Scratch bang bang I know she doesn't need the loo! She went about 30 mins ago had both and no runny tummy! OH went thru and told her no it was bed time. Hopefully she'll go to sleep. If she's got a runny tum I'd have shot out of bed to take her but she had a poop and it was normal so she's just being a booby! Rant over can you tell I'm tired lol
Title: Re: Crate scratching at night
Post by: Sheepscheeks on June 16, 2011, 07:36:12 PM
So, how was the rest of your night?
Title: Re: Crate scratching at night
Post by: DarceyTheDog on June 16, 2011, 08:20:01 PM
Lol fine if she'd of been really desperate she'd have started barking for us i think she was just pushing her luck.