[naomsie]

I have recently adoptd my grandmothers 11yrold yorkshire terrier, its been 5months now and we are trying to get her to sleep outside with my other dog which is a x terrier. Unfortunately she won't stop crying of a night, she has a high pitch cry that only keeps us awake but our neighbours too and she will go all night until we wake up for work. We don't know what to do anymore, please help! We have tried a pulse colar but she jutlst cries over it and we are trying to ignore her and not get frustrated with her but its becoming very difficult, we haven't had a decent nights sleep since we got her. She deffinatly has separation anxiety and has been put on anxiety tablets to help. Don't know what else to do beside crate training, will this work? Please help,we are desperate for a decent nights sleep!

[Alty]

When she lived with your grandmother where did she sleep?

Where does she sleep outside? Do you have a heated dog house for her?

At 11 years of age it will be very hard, almost impossible, to get her used to different sleeping arrangements. If she wasn't an outdoor dog before, it's unlikely that she'll become one now.

Why does she have to sleep outside?

[naomsie]

She did use to sleep inside on my grandmothers bed. We did have to put her outside because she wouldn't sleep all night in our room, we could hear her walking around and barking/ crying and we would wake up in the morning to accidents everywhere in the house. I understand its hard to retrain an old dog. She does have all her beds out side that we bought back from nans place but no heated kennel. She just won't relax and the separation anxietyisnt getting any better. I just don't know what to and if what I am already doing is the right thing

[Alty]

Have you tried a crate, in your room?

I would try the crate. Give it time. It will take time because of her age, and the stress she's under. She lost your nan too. It's not easy for her.

Take her for a long walk before bed. Make sure she eats at least 3 hours before bed, and no water for at least 2 hours before bed. A long walk right before lights out, and then the crate.

Having the crate in your room will let her hear your breathing, and help her relax.

The separation anxiety likely stems from missing your nan. She's an older dog. I'm sure she misses her routine, her home, her owner.

Give her time, lots of love, lots of patience, and let her get used to her new home and new routine.

Be consistent. The first few nights, even weeks, in the crate will be hard. She'll bark, she'll whine. But soon she should accept that this is the way things will be.

Being outside is not the way to go. It just makes her anxiety worse, because she's used to being around people, your nan.

[goldenboy3]

She would have been used to sleeping inside and having someone there all night give her time and she should get used to it.

[naomsie]

Thank you! I needed to hear what the right thing to is, to me I didn't think outside was the answer and you have confirmed that. I will buy a crate for her and hopefully she will relax abit more. Thanks again for your help :)