Barking throughout the night

by Carol Cole
(Murrieta, CA)

We have recently adopted a 2 yr. old Great Pyr. She seems to be adjusting well and bonding, but keeps us up by her intermittent barking most nights. She has the run of the house, but mostly sleeps in our bedroom in her pet bed. She roams and barks at every sound and motion outside. Would it be worse if we left her out all night? How can we stop the sleep disruption w/out compromising her natural instincts?

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Sep 26, 2017
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starstarstarstarstar 		Barking
by: Donna

You should consider crate training her so she does not have full access to the house at night for the time being until she gets used to the noises and the routine of the house.

Pyrs are nocturnal by nature since that is when predators are on the prowl around livestock. Once she is used to the routine of the house, she'll start to sleep at night.

It takes at least three weeks for a new dog to settle into the house and get used to you and you her and some of the routine. It will take longer for a new dog to get used to new sounds in the neighbourhood. Everything is new to her.

If you let her out, she will only bark more and disturb the neighbours.

For a while, you'll need to learn to manage her barking. Go see at what she is barking, if all is okay, say 'shhhh'. When she stops barking, 'good girl', go lie down.

Consistency and patience is the key. Bring in a positive-reinforcement trainer to help you out. Consider following Susan Garrett of Recallers, as well.
Oct 08, 2017
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starstarstarstarstar 		sleep tight
by: Anonymous

It will take a little time for her to learn to settle down at night. We took ours (who acted much the same as yours) into our bedroom at night and closed the door. We found that if he couldn't roam throughout the house, he would settle more quickly and sleep.
As was said, consistency is the key. If possible, close the window and shut the curtains.
Give your dog her own blanket to lay on, same spot every evening. If she hears anything and barks, just say quietly 'shhh, good girl, lay down'. She'll get the picture.
We also start calming ours down early in the evening, as sometimes these dogs become overstimulated by their guardianship chores. You can also buy dog treats infused with lavender and chamomile, both calming herbs, at the pet store. You could try giving her one of those when she lays down on her blanket for the night.
She will always be very aware of all kinds of sounds that you may not even hear...thunder way off in the distance etc...but if you stay calm and reassure her, she will relax and learn that nighttime is for sleep.
Good luck!

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