[kalabt0402]

My puppy is 8 months old and he sleeps in his kennel. When we first got him he would whine when we put him to bed, but eventually he stopped doing it. But the past few weeks he has been not only whining, but howling all night long. It makes it very hard to get any sleep. I've tried everything. I've tried leaving a night light on for him, keeping an article of clothing that smells like me in his kennel with him, I've bought the "pet ease" treats that are supposed to help calm them down, they do not work. I don't know what else to do. Please help!

[Wondergirl]

Is his kennel in your bedroom near your bed? Or is he stuck out in a dark room in another part of the house? (Dogs like to be with their packs, even when sleeping. You are his pack.)

[kalabt0402]

He sleeps in the living room with a night light. I've tried putting him in here with me and that doesn't help. In fact, if he can see me, it makes it worse.

[Wondergirl]

He sleeps in the living room with a night light. I've tried putting him in here with me and that doesn't help. In fact, if he can see me, it makes it worse.

Hmmm, do you have a goodnight ritual with him?

I'm a cat person, and am just remembering what the dog experts have advised in other questions like yours. One or more of them will be along and online eventually to give you good advice, so please check back and also read some of the older dog threads about bedtime problems.

[kalabt0402]

Yeah we have a routine we do. And like I said, this just started back up again out of no where. I've been reading some of the other threads too and they are all saying the same things I've been trying lol. I really appreciate you trying to help though! Thanks!

[Wondergirl]

I'm thinking "separation anxiety" when he's stuck away from you, but you said he howls even when in your bedroom? Is he spoiled and can go onto your bed sometimes and then knows you are there at night without him?

[kalabt0402]

Yeah, he's allowed up here with me he just doesn't sleep in here.

[Wondergirl]

Yeah, he's allowed up here with me he just doesn't sleep in here.

That might be part of your problem. Mogrann just came online, so I PMed her to check out this question. She's one of our dog ladies and has an adorable pup named Owen.

[dontknownuthin]

I think your dog needs to know what to expect through a consistent routine. He does not like being away from you but needs to learn that you will always come back, just like children do. A routine can encourage that. And he needs to understand that his howling will not work. You have to ignore it, impossible at that seems.

Dogs also pick up on your anxiety so you need to be firm and in control and show him you are confident that he's going to be fine. Don't be apogizing and acting like you feel terrible he has to go in his crate at night. Reward him for going in the crate, tell him he's a good dog, and tell him "bedtime". Then be done and leave the room until morning.

If he's not tired, it's going to be a long night. He can't sit around all day waiting for you to do what you do - work or school or whatever, then sit around some more in the evening, then sleep all night. He needs you to play with him, throw a ball or frisbee, and/or take walks. Some dogs, depending on breed, need more to do. For example, my friend's border collie was just impossible to stand with her constant barking until they accepted that they chose a working breed and started having the dog compete in obedience and these obstacle course things. Training the dog in that about an hour a day gave the dog a sense of purpose, and the dog was better behaved the rest of the time.

It is helpful to know your own dog's nature and try to find things for the dog that engage the dog, burn some of the energy and give it some confidence - I know that sounds crazy for a dog, but a confident dog will not be anxious when you have to leave it for a while.

Maybe your dog needs to learn some tricks, for example.

I'm sure some of the experts on dogs have other ideas - I'm not an expert but have trained three dogs with some success - just my own pets over the years.

[Alty]

I have one question, and if you already posted it, I missed to, so I apologize.

Is he neutered?

Do you have any other pets? If so, what?