german shepherd crying

portgirl123 · 20-02-2012 11:19am #1

we took in a GSD last yr at around 5 months. she came from a litter living on a farm, the mammy was 10! the reason i took her was cos the farmer couldnt get get rid of most of them and was going to drown.
Anyways since we got her she has always cried, i do know that they can be a very vocal dog but suzie crys const. i dont mind during the day we ignore her and she is getting better. the biggest prob is her crying from half 6 in the morning. this wasnt such a big prob when we lived in the country but now we live in town neighbours are complaing. i hate outside dogs as i think they should be inside and all my dogs are. suzie hates been inside always has since the day we got her, shes paces and gets herself into a state if she is inside to long, saying that she is getting better she will now come into the kitchen and will settle for awhile. because of this she sleeps out at night, we have tried her in, have had 2 trainers with her, both diff advise.
we did think when winter came she would sleep longer but no half 6 on the dot she starts. its like she has a alarm clock inside her. now her crying is so loud that neighbours in the next estate can hear her. on advise we were told by first trainer to ignore her the second said to shout at her as you can see 2 different advise we have done both but nothing helps. if we get up and let her in she grand for 15 mins or so then wants to get back out, she will get out and start again. if we let the others out to her again maybe grand for half an hr then she will start and the others will start as well, as they want to get in.
she is walked twice sometimes 3 times aday, both on lead and off. she swims we also put some mental training in as well but nothing works. we have also keep her in but come 2, 3 oclock she just wants out and then half 6 she starts again.
can anyone help as only living here few weeks and we are hated. no way am i getting rid of her as apart from this she is a great girl. if i have rambled im sorry as i thought of more i kept adding.
just to ad, as ive said i hate outside dogs and would love her to sleep in, at the moment she is sleeping outside in a shed we bought, we have it insulated, heating put in, that cost me a fortune, beds toys. its not cold as we have constant heat but not to hot, have a temp gauge to keep check of temp.

also we would love a lie in, havent had one since we got her

gud4u · 20-02-2012 11:40am

Have you had her checked by vet to make sure she's not in any pain or sick.

How does she interact with your other dogs during the day.

Is she just bored at 6am, it sounds like you've built a house outside for her, could one of the other dogs sleep out with her.

Could it be separation anxiety as she was older when you got her, but mine was 6 months to and he never cried.

Just suggestions, hopefully someone more knowledgeable will be along.

callmekenneth · 20-02-2012 12:47pm

sounhds like she'd be happier outside, it's understandable that you dont want her to be outside but she has a big coat on her, if she wants out is there somewhere safe for her to be, enclosed yard with a kennel? it might ease her anxiety and when coming in becomes more of a novelty she might want in?

JustAThought · 20-02-2012 2:16pm

O God!!! What a nightmare!! poor you; poor your neighbours & poor Suzi!!!!
It sounds like you are trying really hard so fair dues to you for that.

Sounds like your Suzi is an outdoors dog so that's one; even if you'd prefer her to be inside! My cousin has a georgous GR who gets really stressed & wrecks the place if left inside; no reason for it... Her dog came back from it's first kennel holiday at 10 months old and point blank refused to stay indoors overnight ever after that! And her yard isn't attractive or interesting ; no reasonable logic to it!

I think the other poster is right re the vets check up: if money is right you might co sided the blue cross; but if not it's very worth looking at.
What does your Suzi enjoy ( apart from singing!); is there something you could distract her with?
Mine didn't like me going out AT ALL and would go a bit nuts wanting to come with me ( despite me being worn to a stump walking ) so I got an old small coke bottle & bent it up
a bit & put some of her food in it & she playes away with it happily trying to get them out for about 20 mins... The she forgets what she was upset by & is ! Might be worth a try at 0630 !!!!
It really sounds like she is frustrated or bored; but it's hard to know: I feel for you!!!
Mine for a full TWO YEARS use to go nuts screaming & barking at the door when she thought I was going out for her walk and after it really getting out if hand I taught her " "Sssh" . I'd go "sssh" & give her a treat, then go good "sssh" & give her another & I wouldn't open the door until she stopped the screaming & barking. Unbelievably, it worked: after two years and complaints :0
might be worth a try with yours? I had to use supertreats with mine ( she is extremely good motivated and I wanted a quick resolution so I used decking sausages; my pockets smelt for weeks!) . It nay be something totally different but it could be worth a try.

Keep us posted!
BTW: I see you be tried two " experts". I was in despair at 8 months with my dog & lead training & John who does training at the estuary in Malahide was extremely brilliant in sorting my problem out literally in a flash. I was going there for activity training & he just put her straight . I think his second name is ward ; I'd really recommend him even maybe to come to an activity class once & talk with him ; he is a bit of a genius.
( that's in Dublin, Malahide down by the estuary)

Keep us posted; I really feel for you & it sounds like your really doing your best. Don't give up!

JustAThought · 20-02-2012 2:20pm

Sorry ; one other idea came to me. Is this something she started doing after the novelty if newly living with you wore off ? It might be worth contacting he original owner & asking what the dogs routine was there. Maybe there is something simple it misses, or wants!!
Equally; maybe it always did that & that was why they were so anxious to secure a new home for screaming Suzi :0

portgirl123 · 20-02-2012 2:37pm

gud4u wrote: »

Have you had her checked by vet to make sure she's not in any pain or sick.

How does she interact with your other dogs during the day.

Is she just bored at 6am, it sounds like you've built a house outside for her, could one of the other dogs sleep out with her.

Could it be separation anxiety as she was older when you got her, but mine was 6 months to and he never cried.

Just suggestions, hopefully someone more knowledgeable will be along.

thanks for your reply, the first thing i did was get suzie checked over, in fact twice and he said she is a lovely healthy dog. thats the thing, im not perpered to let my others sleep outside, while i know they would be perfectly warm etc, i really dont think it would be fair to chuck them outside as they have been indoor dogs since i had them. she is brill with the other dogs and my cats. when she is in and calm she will cuddle up with both the dogs and cats. the thing is after, what ever time, she wants out.
she is only like this in the morning. rest of the day she will happily do her own thing. apart from when she gets excited and then her singing will start

portgirl123 · 20-02-2012 2:38pm

callmekenneth wrote: »

sounhds like she'd be happier outside, it's understandable that you dont want her to be outside but she has a big coat on her, if she wants out is there somewhere safe for her to be, enclosed yard with a kennel? it might ease her anxiety and when coming in becomes more of a novelty she might want in?

thats the thing, she is now sleeping outside, as i posted i have built a customised kennel for her with heating, beds, toys etc for her. still at half 6 she starts.

portgirl123 · 20-02-2012 2:44pm

JustAThought wrote: »

O God!!! What a nightmare!! poor you; poor your neighbours & poor Suzi!!!!
It sounds like you are trying really hard so fair dues to you for that.

Sounds like your Suzi is an outdoors dog so that's one; even if you'd prefer her to be inside! My cousin has a georgous GR who gets really stressed & wrecks the place if left inside; no reason for it... Her dog came back from it's first kennel holiday at 10 months old and point blank refused to stay indoors overnight ever after that! And her yard isn't attractive or interesting ; no reasonable logic to it!

I think the other poster is right re the vets check up: if money is right you might co sided the blue cross; but if not it's very worth looking at.
What does your Suzi enjoy ( apart from singing!); is there something you could distract her with?
Mine didn't like me going out AT ALL and would go a bit nuts wanting to come with me ( despite me being worn to a stump walking ) so I got an old small coke bottle & bent it up
a bit & put some of her food in it & she playes away with it happily trying to get them out for about 20 mins... The she forgets what she was upset by & is ! Might be worth a try at 0630 !!!!
It really sounds like she is frustrated or bored; but it's hard to know: I feel for you!!!
Mine for a full TWO YEARS use to go nuts screaming & barking at the door when she thought I was going out for her walk and after it really getting out if hand I taught her " "Sssh" . I'd go "sssh" & give her a treat, then go good "sssh" & give her another & I wouldn't open the door until she stopped the screaming & barking. Unbelievably, it worked: after two years and complaints :0
might be worth a try with yours? I had to use supertreats with mine ( she is extremely good motivated and I wanted a quick resolution so I used decking sausages; my pockets smelt for weeks!) . It nay be something totally different but it could be worth a try.

Keep us posted!
BTW: I see you be tried two " experts". I was in despair at 8 months with my dog & lead training & John who does training at the estuary in Malahide was extremely brilliant in sorting my problem out literally in a flash. I was going there for activity training & he just put her straight . I think his second name is ward ; I'd really recommend him even maybe to come to an activity class once & talk with him ; he is a bit of a genius.
( that's in Dublin, Malahide down by the estuary)

Keep us posted; I really feel for you & it sounds like your really doing your best. Don't give up!

i dont mind her been a outdoor dog if that what makes her happy, but it seems to me when shes in she wants out, and visa versa. she enjoys her walks more than anything. toys etc dont seem to really interest her. she is brought on plenty of walks and swims. my son who is 19 is very good with her, before collage, cos where all up super early brings her on at least a hrs walk in the mornings, i, bring her around noon then my son brings her again in the eve. the rest of the day she is in and out with us and is fine most of the time. if she gets anxiuous during day we let her out and shes fine. i actually live in laois so dublin would be a bit far.

portgirl123 · 20-02-2012 2:46pm

JustAThought wrote: »

Sorry ; one other idea came to me. Is this something she started doing after the novelty if newly living with you wore off ? It might be worth contacting he original owner & asking what the dogs routine was there. Maybe there is something simple it misses, or wants!!
Equally; maybe it always did that & that was why they were so anxious to secure a new home for screaming Suzi :0

no, susie has nearly done this from day one. the original owners didnt give a ****e about them, basically just left to do what they liked when they pleased. if i can remember rightly most of the litter was gave away with her as he couldnt get rid.

angelfire9 · 20-02-2012 2:52pm

Any chance you could install a flap in the back door so she can come and go as she pleases? i.e. If she wants in at 6am to confirm after hours of silence that she hasn't been abandoned she could come in trot around the house to reassure herself and she"ll probably go off put again without a problem

Ronnie Beck · 20-02-2012 2:52pm

she's probably lonely. If she came from a farm she's probably used to lots company especially if she slept with her mother until 5 months. get her another dog if you can. Maybe you can borrow another dog she knows for the night to see if it works. If not let her sleep outside your bedroom door or tell your husband to go down stairs and tell to shut up or she wont get any breakfast.

callmekenneth · 20-02-2012 3:10pm

portgirl123 wrote: »

thats the thing, she is now sleeping outside, as i posted i have built a customised kennel for her with heating, beds, toys etc for her. still at half 6 she starts.

blimey. so she thinks she's a cockeril.. so i cant help, i'd be surprised if someone here doesnt have the answer though

portgirl123 · 20-02-2012 3:19pm

angelfire9 wrote: »

Any chance you could install a flap in the back door so she can come and go as she pleases? i.e. If she wants in at 6am to confirm after hours of silence that she hasn't been abandoned she could come in trot around the house to reassure herself and she"ll probably go off put again without a problem[/QUote

did this in my old house. all she did was come in wreck the place, get the other dogs to start and still be crying. cant do it here anyways as have a alaminum door.

gud4u · 20-02-2012 3:21pm

portgirl123 wrote: »

no, susie has nearly done this from day one. the original owners didnt give a ****e about them, basically just left to do what they liked when they pleased. if i can remember rightly most of the litter was gave away with her as he couldnt get rid.

Maybe that's it, she might have gone off roaming at that time every morning if she had free reign of a farm.

Maybe she feels couped up, I know your backyard is probably big enough and it sounds like you have built a hotel for her:), when you say she's sleeping outside, do you mean outside in the hotel or outside under the stars.

Maybe a cow would help and then you'd have milk too:D, joking of course..

portgirl123 · 20-02-2012 3:26pm

Ronnie Beck wrote: »

she's probably lonely. If she came from a farm she's probably used to lots company especially if she slept with her mother until 5 months. get her another dog if you can. Maybe you can borrow another dog she knows for the night to see if it works. If not let her sleep outside your bedroom door or tell your husband to go down stairs and tell to shut up or she wont get any breakfast.

god, this seems bad. everything someone suggests ive either done it or i cant do it for what ever reason.
my old neighbour, where i used to live, went a way for 2 weeks at christmas and i minded her 2 outdoor dogs. the 1st night/morning not a sound till we woke at 10. first thing i did was ran to window to call dogs thought something had happened but no, 3 happy dogs came out of their shed. thought great. 2nd morning back to square one and for rest of the 2 weeks.
in my old house as i said was really so much of a problem as no near neighbours so we could try and ignore my thought been you dont reward a whinging child so same i thought with a dog. last holidays, 3 months from school, collage we tried and tried to wait till she stopped before we would get up this didnt work. in this house with neighbours we cant ignore so my hubby is telling her to stop but she just continues

portgirl123 · 20-02-2012 3:31pm

gud4u wrote: »

Maybe that's it, she might have gone off roaming at that time every morning if she had free reign of a farm.

Maybe she feels couped up, I know your backyard is probably big enough and it sounds like you have built a hotel for her:), when you say she's sleeping outside, do you mean outside in the hotel or outside under the stars.

Maybe a cow would help and then you'd have milk too:D, joking of course..

she can do as she pleases, she tends, to what i can see start of in the garden, by the way my gdn is very big, then goes into her shed and then at 6 she will be in the gdn doing her morning chorus. even the mornings its is peeing down she is still out there.

you know what if i thought a cow would help i would get one. though dont know if that would endear me to the neighbours

Gingernuts31 · 20-02-2012 3:35pm

Tell me do you give her much attention? I have a dog here too she isn't as bad as yours with crying but she will cry for 3 reasons. 1/ She wants cuddles cause she is in the kitchen with the others but she wants human contact. 2/ Kids next door playing and she wants to go play with them. 3/ There is a cat or something around outside and she wants to get at it. Any of these things ring a bell?

gud4u · 20-02-2012 3:46pm

I have a new pup that screams, it is only 10weeks and i'm hoping i don't end up like you. You poor thing, i feel for you, at least I can shove earplugs in.

Mine will only be quiet with human contact, so i'm hoping to leave it for longer as it gets older. I only have him 2 days yet.

falabo · 20-02-2012 3:57pm

portgirl123 wrote: »

the second said to shout at her as you can see 2 different advise we have done both but nothing helps.

WOW thats some dog trainer !!!!!

portgirl123 · 20-02-2012 4:00pm

what he actually said was to open window and tell her to go to bed. when i did question this he did say, if a child was up early you would tell it to go back to bed.

portgirl123 · 20-02-2012 4:06pm

Gingernuts31 wrote: »

Tell me do you give her much attention? I have a dog here too she isn't as bad as yours with crying but she will cry for 3 reasons. 1/ She wants cuddles cause she is in the kitchen with the others but she wants human contact. 2/ Kids next door playing and she wants to go play with them. 3/ There is a cat or something around outside and she wants to get at it. Any of these things ring a bell?

yes i do, during the day, while we are at home. i am for most of the day. she can get as much attention as she wants, now when i say that, i dont mean i sit and cuddle her all day, i dont and cant, what i mean is she is out walking with me. she comes into house when she pleases. im out in gdn pottering around. she really can come and go as she pleases, just like most dogs. when im, say washing floors etc she happily goes out. same when i go shop not a word out of her. i know this cos ive spied on her. the prob is only at half 6 every morning. at half 6 im not perpered to be cuddling her or giving her attention. also could be cats around, im sure there are but this has happened both here and in my old house. what im worried about is the summer coming in, is she going to be starting earlier.

Ronnie Beck · 20-02-2012 4:43pm

portgirl123 wrote: »

god, this seems bad. everything someone suggests ive either done it or i cant do it for what ever reason.
my old neighbour, where i used to live, went a way for 2 weeks at christmas and i minded her 2 outdoor dogs. the 1st night/morning not a sound till we woke at 10. first thing i did was ran to window to call dogs thought something had happened but no, 3 happy dogs came out of their shed. thought great. 2nd morning back to square one and for rest of the 2 weeks.
in my old house as i said was really so much of a problem as no near neighbours so we could try and ignore my thought been you dont reward a whinging child so same i thought with a dog. last holidays, 3 months from school, collage we tried and tried to wait till she stopped before we would get up this didnt work. in this house with neighbours we cant ignore so my hubby is telling her to stop but she just continues

If you tried all those soft solutions and nothings worked I'd come down on her like a tonne of bricks. First by snarling 'OUT' at her as you storm into the garden as soon as she starts. After about five days she should start to get the message. Progress from that to picking her up by the scuff and shaking her hard. The harder you are on her the quicker she'll get the message and the less cruelty all around for you the dog and the neighbours. I'd also recommend cutting out all the cuddles and instilling some discipline and mutual respect with our dog. She has to learn to listen to you and that there lines in the house she doesn't cross and that this crying craic out the back is one of them. Your dog will be calmer, more composed, emotionally stable and generally happier in the long term with this approach. Remember GSD are a working dogs and should be given a job to do. Best of luck

portgirl123 · 20-02-2012 4:49pm

Ronnie Beck wrote: »

If you tried all those soft solutions and nothings worked I'd come down on her like a tonne of bricks. First by snarling 'OUT' at her as you storm into the garden as soon as she starts. After about five days she should start to get the message. Progress from that to picking her up by the scuff and shaking her hard. The harder you are on her the quicker she'll get the message and the less cruelty all around for you the dog and the neighbours. I'd also recommend cutting out all the cuddles and instilling some discipline and mutual respect with our dog. She has to learn to listen to you and that there lines in the house she doesn't cross and that this crying craic out the back is one of them. Your dog will be calmer, more composed, emotionally stable and generally happier in the long term with this approach. Remember GSD are a working dogs and should be given a job to do. Best of luck

sorry but no. i would rather get up before she starts every day that grab any dog by scruff of the neck. id imagine all this would do is make her visious (sp)

20-02-2012 4:52pm

do you think she is lonely OP

Gingernuts31 · 20-02-2012 4:55pm

portgirl123 wrote: »

sorry but no. i would rather get up before she starts every day that grab any dog by scruff of the neck. id imagine all this would do is make her visious (sp)

It wouldn't stop her from crying anyway plus you might have the ISPCA calling to your door if reported. Ronnie gave stupid soloutions there. You act voilent towards an animal and it might take it for a while but it will snap plus its doing long term mental damage to the dog. 1 of my dogs were mistreated before we got him and if I kick a food bowl by accident he will scatter and try to hide. Thats what being voilent to a dog does to them.

Ronnie Beck · 20-02-2012 4:56pm

portgirl123 wrote: »

sorry but no. i would rather get up before she starts every day that grab any dog by scruff of the neck. id imagine all this would do is make her visious (sp)

Does a pup turn viscous when their mother picks them up by the scuff?

portgirl123 · 20-02-2012 4:58pm

Ronnie Beck wrote: »

Does a pup turn viscous when their mother picks them up by the scuff?

no, but im not her mother and she is not 8 weeks old

portgirl123 · 20-02-2012 5:01pm

bluewolf wrote: »

do you think she is lonely OP

no i honestly dont, as she will do it even if shes in the house with the others and also as i already posted, she had the company of 2 other dogs at christmas and she still did the same. also during the night she is fine is just on the dot of haqlf 6 she starts. in my old house i thought there was a trigger, but in the new house she is the same.

Ronnie Beck · 20-02-2012 5:01pm

Gingernuts31 wrote: »

It wouldn't stop her from crying anyway plus you might have the ISPCA calling to your door if reported. Ronnie gave stupid soloutions there. You act voilent towards an animal and it might take it for a while but it will snap plus its doing long term mental damage to the dog. 1 of my dogs were mistreated before we got him and if I kick a food bowl by accident he will scatter and try to hide. Thats what being voilent to a dog does to them.

It is completely different to violently kick and beat a dog for no apparent reason than to shake him by the scruff for doing something that he knows is wrong. I'm sure your neighbours would be glad to see you doing something about it and wouldn't report you. Your more likely to have the dog warden at your door in the next few weeks than the ispca.

20-02-2012 5:03pm

I don't know tbh, from a quick google it appears german shepherds really just cry a lot...
personally i'd be going out and telling her to stop in a firm tone of voice but i suppose you must have done that

edit: and bringing her to the vet just to double check everything is ok

Ronnie Beck · 20-02-2012 5:05pm

portgirl123 wrote: »

no, but im not her mother and she is not 8 weeks old

What age is she?

ppink · 20-02-2012 5:10pm

Do you think it could be because when she was on the farm activity started at that time, so it is her "getting up time" and she is crying wondering where you are??
Our guys are all programmed to be up at 630am and out for their walk and we did have one of our GSD's "knocking";) on the bedroom door at that time on weekends also. we had taught her the "into bed" so after a few times of just calling out to her to go "into bed" she would and from then on the only time she will disturb us is if she has an emergency:eek:

portgirl123 · 20-02-2012 5:11pm

bluewolf wrote: »

I don't know tbh, from a quick google it appears german shepherds really just cry a lot...
personally i'd be going out and telling her to stop in a firm tone of voice but i suppose you must have done that

edit: and bringing her to the vet just to double check everything is ok

yep have done that, it might stop her if were lucky for mins and then she starts again only louder. she was in vets fri getting her vac and vet did full health check plus bloods. as far as he can see, while waiting for bloods to come back she is one of the healthiest dogs he has seen

portgirl123 · 20-02-2012 5:12pm

Ronnie Beck wrote: »

What age is she?

she is around 17 months old

portgirl123 · 20-02-2012 5:16pm

ppink wrote: »

Do you think it could be because when she was on the farm activity started at that time, so it is her "getting up time" and she is crying wondering where you are??
Our guys are all programmed to be up at 630am and out for their walk and we did have one of our GSD's "knocking";) on the bedroom door at that time on weekends also. we had taught her the "into bed" so after a few times of just calling out to her to go "into bed" she would and from then on the only time she will disturb us is if she has an emergency:eek:

it could be, and i think it prob is but id of thought after a yr she would now have learnd. the thing is once were up, even though she dont get any attention till i thinks a decent time she is fine.

ppink · 20-02-2012 5:24pm

yea its funny. i am not sure our dog gives a hoot about no attention, all she wants is us all to be up and ready!
Is Suzi high energy?

portgirl123 · 20-02-2012 5:35pm

ppink wrote: »

yea its funny. i am not sure our dog gives a hoot about no attention, all she wants is us all to be up and ready!
Is Suzi high energy?

thats the thing, no she aint. she loves her walks and as i already said we also work on her training every day to tire menatally out but if for some reason we cant get out or maybe not as much she is fine. thats what bothers me as during the day she is happy to just lie around by herself, with us or with the other dogs, what ever is on offer and she is totally fine. its not that when she gets up she needs us she dont. once she knows were up shes fine. at night depending on her mood she could be in with us different times. some nights she might look to go out at 8 other nights could be 11 but the outcomes the same, once shes out she fine, she will potter around or sleep what ever but at half 6 ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

meoklmrk91 · 20-02-2012 5:41pm

You need to break the cycle, she is in the habit of this behaviour, she knows it morning, she wants everyone up to begin the day. My lad wakes me up at half 7 every morning to go outside and have his breakfast.

With regard to the shed, is she able to go in and out as she pleases. I only say this because if you locked her in at night, she might not know its morning and once the cycle is broken you could go back to leaving her as she was.

I would be careful with this though, it all depends on the dog, she sounds like she may have confidence issues and thus it could make her panic and cause her more harm than good.

ppink · 20-02-2012 5:49pm

portgirl123 wrote: »

id of thought after a yr she would now have learnd.

she is probably thinking the same about you:p

meoklmrk91 wrote: »

You need to break the cycle, she is in the habit of this behaviour, she knows it morning, she wants everyone up to begin the day.

I was thinking this too. It is a diffficult one! I am sure you tried hard already to have her in at night.

portgirl123 · 20-02-2012 6:06pm

meoklmrk91 wrote: »

You need to break the cycle, she is in the habit of this behaviour, she knows it morning, she wants everyone up to begin the day. My lad wakes me up at half 7 every morning to go outside and have his breakfast.

With regard to the shed, is she able to go in and out as she pleases. I only say this because if you locked her in at night, she might not know its morning and once the cycle is broken you could go back to leaving her as she was.

I would be careful with this though, it all depends on the dog, she sounds like she may have confidence issues and thus it could make her panic and cause her more harm than good.

totally agree with you. the only thing about locking the shed door is as ive already said she is not happy been shut in anywhere, even in the house after awhile, she gets all paniky and needs to get out. id imagine if i did this it woulkd do more damage than good. i only got her at around 5-6 months so i dont know why she hates been in but as i said she is getting better. as well even in winter when still is pitch black she still starts.

portgirl123 · 20-02-2012 6:09pm

I was thinking this too. It is a diffficult one! I am sure you tried hard already to have her in at night.[/QUOTE]
you couldnt imagine how hard we have tried to get her used to been in, i hate dogs been outside, i swore id never have a out door dog as i believe they shouldnt be left outside but whatever happened to suzie she freaks after AWHILE WHEN SHE HAS BEEN IN. AT THE MOMENT WE HAVE her A BIT MORE SETTLED IN THE KITCHEN BUT SHE WONT COME INTO THE SITING ROOM AT All. sorry didnt know i had the capitals on

JustAThought · 20-02-2012 6:15pm

Hmmm.
Can you supertreat her back into the crate at 0630?
Or if it's a conditioning thing could yiunmove the crate somewhere to where there is no natural " daybreak" ; or put a blackout curtain over her crate so she won't be woken ip by the light?
Might be worth a try.
Of course it could be the feckin birds waking her up but you never know!?

portgirl123 · 20-02-2012 6:19pm

JustAThought wrote: »

Hmmm.
Can you supertreat her back into the crate at 0630?
Or if it's a conditioning thing could yiunmove the crate somewhere to where there is no natural " daybreak" ; or put a blackout curtain over her crate so she won't be woken ip by the light?
Might be worth a try.
Of course it could be the feckin birds waking her up but you never know!?

thats the thing as ive already posted, she sleeps outside, until few weeks ago it was still pitch black and no birds singing but shed still be awake. asd i cant get her to sleep inside id say my chances of crate training her would be nil

meoklmrk91 · 20-02-2012 6:19pm

She seems to have confidence issues, from what you say anyway. I would maybe get some advice from a good animal behaviourist and skip the trainers. Roaring at her is only going to make her more nervous and ignoring hasn't helped. Is there plugs in the shed, perhaps you could put a radio in there and just it on for company, or maybe even get a timer socket and have it come on just around the time she starts to cry.

star-pants · 20-02-2012 7:43pm

Ronnie Beck wrote: »

Progress from that to picking her up by the scuff and shaking her hard.

Ronnie Beck, I'd ask you not to advocate what would be considered cruelty or violence, this is against our forum charter so consider this a warning.

Cherry Blossom · 21-02-2012 3:11am

portgirl123 wrote: »

totally agree with you. the only thing about locking the shed door is as ive already said she is not happy been shut in anywhere, even in the house after awhile, she gets all paniky and needs to get out. id imagine if i did this it woulkd do more damage than good. i only got her at around 5-6 months so i dont know why she hates been in but as i said she is getting better. as well even in winter when still is pitch black she still starts.

My lab was like this and we were never able to cure him of it, there was always someone outside with him from 6am till 11pm and I suppose eventually he just learned a routine. He did bark a lot in the beginning in the early morning and late at night but if closed in somewhere he just destroyed the place and did it completely silently. I'm afraid it's 15 years since all of this and my memory is pretty hazy of it all. I think we just persevered and put up with it and he gradually calmed down as he got older. Our nearest neighbour was miles away at that stage so it was never really a problem in that regard. I think the worrying and barking just eventually got less as he got older and thankfully stopped long before we had closer neighbours. No idea how we could have worked this out if we had people close enough to complain about it! I would say maybe get up before she starts and see if you can gradually move the time forward. At the minute she tells you to get up and you do, so she'll keep doing it!

portgirl123 · 21-02-2012 9:09am

adrenalinjunkie wrote: »

My lab was like this and we were never able to cure him of it, there was always someone outside with him from 6am till 11pm and I suppose eventually he just learned a routine. He did bark a lot in the beginning in the early morning and late at night but if closed in somewhere he just destroyed the place and did it completely silently. I'm afraid it's 15 years since all of this and my memory is pretty hazy of it all. I think we just persevered and put up with it and he gradually calmed down as he got older. Our nearest neighbour was miles away at that stage so it was never really a problem in that regard. I think the worrying and barking just eventually got less as he got older and thankfully stopped long before we had closer neighbours. No idea how we could have worked this out if we had people close enough to complain about it! I would say maybe get up before she starts and see if you can gradually move the time forward. At the minute she tells you to get up and you do, so she'll keep doing it!

see thats the thing untill we moved 4 weeks ago we could let her carry on till we had to get up at half 7, monday -fri. so for a yr give or take she was basically ignored. now that we have moved i have no choice but to get up when she starts as, while not a estate but a row of houses plus another behind i have no choice. at this stage not only am i absolutely knackered, but i have the neighbours starting, which by the way i totally agree with them. if it was my neighbours dog i would be the same. unless i can solve this i really dont see what im going to do. all ready this morning ive neighbours complaining. as soon as she starts im getting up just to quieten her. im really at my wits end. i now regret moving but id had no choice, my parents are elderly and sick so was spending most of my time here anyways

ppink · 21-02-2012 8:52pm

Is there any way you could get a behaviour person to work on the indoor/outdoor problem with the dog? if you had her indoors then you would have bit more control over it?

portgirl123 · 22-02-2012 12:59pm

ppink wrote: »

Is there any way you could get a behaviour person to work on the indoor/outdoor problem with the dog? if you had her indoors then you would have bit more control over it?

at this moment i would try anything. like ive said before i have tried 2 both conflicting advice so now im weary of who to get in touch with. if anyone has any suggestions please post. im in the offaly/laoise area

portgirl123 · 08-03-2012 6:48pm

i am at a all time low with suzie. nothing is working in fact its getting worst. got some really great advise on boards esp from DBB which i tried and no change. as the mornings are getting brighter she is starting earlier. all i would like is to be able to sleep till 7.30 mon-fri and would be lovely at weekends to have a lie on even till 9 or so. the way i look at it my oldest is 30 my youngest is 12 ive had enough yrs of sleepless nights early morning and at my age now i think i deserve to have a lie on every now and then. i am so tired now its effecting my life. im so tired im in bed at 9 and napping during the day. im so tired im cranky and this morning when i got up i was that tired i cut my hand with the bread knife and now have 6 stitches in my hand.
all other times, yes she can be a little whingy but she is a beautiful dog but i cant cope anymore. im so tired i feel like getting a break from her and putting her in kennels for a few days but i dont want to do this as it seems i would be giving in with her, also hubby just lost job and with new house etc i cant afford to.
sorry for ranting but needed to get of my chest. might make me feel a bit better

ppink · 08-03-2012 7:24pm

Oh no thats awful:(. What have you tried? the only thing I could think of was to bring her in but I understand it is not that easy with her.

I am not much help but I do feel for you. you do have a lot of stress right now and I would not feel too bad if you do decide to give yourself a couple of nights break by putting her in kennels. I would not looking at it as giving in either but a chance for you so get your strength and hopefully sort it all out.

german shepherd crying

Comments