Barking at Night and in Early Morning

[Tina McNerthney]

Hi everyone,

Our pup Baxter is just over 7 months old. Approximately two weeks ago, Baxter started barking suddenly once or sometimes twice during the night and early morning. Prior to recently, he hadn't made a peep. He hasn't been sleeping in a crate for months and has been quiet.

I noticed that the barking commenced at the same time that we started to receive a daily free copy of our city newspaper, The Oregonian, which is delivered at approximately 5:00 a.m. every morning. or sometimes a bit earlier than that. Like clockwork, Baxter gets up and barks in our bedroom, where he sleeps, and goes out into our living room where the front door is and barks. He barks for one or two minutes and it is really disruptive. I am going to try and contact the newspaper and ask them to stop delivering the paper, but I'd really like to address the issue with Baxter.

I've read some posts about trying to condition him by replicating the situation during the day. However, it doesn't work if anyone from the family comes to the door at random because he knows us and so he doesn't react.

I'm not sure if there's anything we can about this. I've also noticed that other random noises will get Baxter up. It's primarily the paper guy, though.

Has anyone experienced something like this? If so, any useful tips?

Thanks!

-Tina

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Ned barks at night - someone is coming home from work in our neighborhood - and early in the a.m. - someone leaves early for work.  I haven't figured out any solution because I am not in charge of our neighbors' schedules, but if I was. . . . . . 

If we close our bedroom door (dogs inside) there is usually no bark alert.  Regarding the early morning - Clancy and Gordie will often join in that one when our windows are open.

[Tina McNerthney]

Nancy,

I have noticed that if we shut the windows and pull the shades down it helps a bit. It's harder to do in the summer and I have feeling, like most humans, Baxter will sleep better in the dark of winter.

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

It appears that around the 6-7 month mark, they suddenly come into their own, and decide to put on their big dog pants and take on the guarding of the house. We keep Enzo enclosed in our bedroom at night and our bedroom is in the back of the house. No street noises...no paper guy noises . But when she does decide to " protect us against all that is evil", I found, telling she is good and then a firm " enough", silences her.

[Tina McNerthney]

Ro,

Yes, I figured it has to do with him growing up a little and he's definitely taking more of a guardian attitude. Unfortunately, thus far, letting him know that we hear her and it's "enough" has not worked yet.

[Christy&Riley]

The good news is that he is warning you, the pack leader, of potential danger. Unfortunately you aren't concerned about the dangerous paper boy. :-). If you can't keep him away from the door/noise, would it help if you got up one morning and let him meet the kid? Then he would know it is a friend not a foe?

We moved recently and Riley has been on high alert for weeks. She was never a barker until the new house. She is gradually learning that the people on the golf course (that she can see out front) are not a threat but if someone is in our yard or our side of the street she goes nuts. While I'd prefer the old days which was a really quiet "woof," I do like her keeping an eye on things in our new environment.

[Tina McNerthney]

Christy,

I thought of waking up to have him great the paper person and I think that's what I'm going to do in hopes that it will give Baxter some point of reference. I just haven't had the will to muster myself up at 4:30 to wait for the delivery...sigh.

I don't mind Baxter keeping an eye on things, but, man, he has a loud bark. 

Baxter sleeps in our bedroom, but we don't lock him in there and he appears to hear the front door noise even from our bedroom on the back side of the house.

[Victoria NY]

Hi! I have the same problem. When he barks in doors I'm ok... But we are potty training our new pup and end up taking her out about 3:30-4 am. He (Bruin) comes out with us and begins barking at any jogger or walker he sees! I'm getting worried that my neighbors will get fed up. We live in a nice quiet neighborhood - until my big guy thinks he has to protect us and barks his head off at any person walking by our house. The kicker is - the pup is starting to bark when he does. He barks and she runs up onto the porch (as if sensing danger) and then barks in unison... If you have suggestions, please let me know too. My friend is a pet psychologist and says I need to make him realize he doesn't have to protect me from every little thing - she says he thinks it's his responsibility... Ok, great. But how do I do that?

[Tina McNerthney]

Victoria,

I have heard exactly the same thing...that we have to somehow demonstrate to our dogs that we are the alpha dog - that they don't need to protect us from everything.

I had friends who went to a trainer because they wanted to stop their dog from jumping up on people and things. He recommended they use a spray bottle with water and a tiny bit of vinegar. Apparently, it worked. They sprayed the dog every time he got on the couch or person and said "down" and he doesn't exhibit the behavior and apparently is in general less dominant.

I'll have to do some research on what can be done...

[Victoria NY]

Thank you Tina! Keep me posted.