My 5 year old yorkshire terrier spends the night sitting on my shoulder crying into my ear and pawing my face. I haven't had a full nights sleep in months.
She has also started refusing to eat but the vet says there isn't a problem. I was away for the weekend and she ate and slept solid for my sister.
She is alone all day as we both work but I give her lots of attention at night. Please help.
J.
2006-11-19 20:16:50 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Dogs
Well, she is sleeping all day long. So she's going to be awake all night long and is of course, expecting you to jump out of bed and play with her.
Consider hiring a dog walker that can come during the day and walk your dog or at least get her out in the yard for some run around time.
Take her for a walk after supper to use up some of that energy.
Yorkies are people dogs, they love being with their owners all the time, so try to get her sleep schedule changed a bit and try to wear her out a little in the evening.
If nothing works then she needs to sleep in a crate at night in another room where you won't hear her crying all night.
2006-11-19 20:23:44 · answer #1 · answered by dog's best friend 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Your little dog has been very clever and decided that she controls you and when you give her attention and food.
You need to set some clear boundaries. The fact that she was well behaved with your sister and that your vet has eliminated health problems proves that this is all about your relationship with her and that means that you can sort it out!
First of all, your dog should be offered food at 2 mealtimes, in the morning and in the evening. Put the bowl down. Let her eat - as soon as she moves away - and that means immediately - or if she refuses the food - take the bowl away. No more food until the next meal time. The message is that you are the food provider - you are the one who determines when its meal time and when it ends. This rule will help her realise that you need to be respected as the boss! Be firm, don't give in to fussiness or if she misses a meal or even 3! She is making a point to you about her control over you, so you must be more determined than she is and stay strong.
Next the night time antics. Again, she is making a point about who determines when it is time for attention and affection, and who sleeps where. In a dogs mind, the leader gets the best spot and all others should respect this. Also, the leader never allows subordinate pack members to approach and initiate games or affection. The leader always starts and ends these things. Your little cheeky dog has the idea that this is her right and is demanding your attention in the way that she knows works best! The fact that she is allowed in your bed confuses her role in her mind and although I'm not going to say that she shouldn't be there, you need to be aware of this to help you deal with the problem. In general, if she demands attention from you, you should ignore her regardless of the amount of fuss she makes. When she calms down and is quiet, then give her praise and play a game or have a cuddle etc. It should always be on your terms otherwise you create a little attention seeking tyrant! Ideally, you need to have another space for her to sleep. Put her there at night with a chew, saying Bed!, Good girl. Every time she starts pawing at you, do not say a word to her, just put her back in her sleeping space repeating Bed! Continue with this until she gets the message. It is going to take a few sleepless nights but you have plenty of those any way.
Just remember that this is not an issue about getting enough attention it is an issue in her mind about control. You need to take control, and she'll be a happy dog and you'll be a happy sleeper.
Good luck and sweet dreams.
2006-11-20 06:03:13 · answer #2 · answered by PetLover 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
For goodness sake, get some common sense. Put the dog out of your bedroom at night, stop treating it like a baby and giving it attention all night. As for refusing to eat, put the food down, then walk away. If you start obsessing and offering it alternatives, plus treats in between it will end up picky.
I have 8 dogs, most rescued. One of the latest is a tiny one and a half kilos yorkie who was ultra fussy with eating. I've had her for 3 weeks now and she eats the kibble with the rest of the dogs simply because that's all there is to eat here. No healthy dog will starve with a full bowl of food available.
Seriously though, if you think about her life in a 24 hour period, you leave her alone 8 hours a day, then sleep another 8 hours, spend another hour getting ready in the morning and another at the end of the day getting home from work, cooking etc . That is 20 hours at least.More if you want to go out for a meal or do shopping. So you have put her in solitary confinement for at least 20 hours out of 24. Don't you think that this is cruel?
The poor thing is desperate for some attention. Could you not give it to your sister as it seems like she is more able to offer it some kind of life. You cannot expect dogs to switch off and live in suspended animation for 20 hours, then come to life when you feel like giving them attention, then switch off again after a few hours.
You are actually inflicting severe mental cruelty on the dog.
2006-11-20 06:43:10 · answer #3 · answered by fenlandfowl 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
WHY DO YOU SLEEP WITH YOUR DOG? Get her a bed or a crate of her own, and make her stay there at night. You are the boss, stop letting her call the shots. If she's lonely through the day arrange for someone to walk her , get both you and her into a routine and stick to it. She should also get a walk before bedtime.
2006-11-20 06:28:37 · answer #4 · answered by Roxy. 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yorkies don't need much walking (I had one for 14 yr), However, they do love a good walk or at least a walk. Perhaps you could take it for a walk - even just a short walk which would satisfy the dog. Thus giving you a nights sleep.
Or you could alter the time you feed it. Perhaps both.
2006-11-20 04:33:59 · answer #5 · answered by «Dave» 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Have you tried keeping the dog outside during the day? My dog loves having the freedom so she's all calm at night.
2006-11-20 04:28:58 · answer #6 · answered by doggy13is 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
It sounds like she misses her owner! Try spending a little more time with her, taking for walks. If you spend more time with her maybe she will stop bothering you at night.
2006-11-20 05:11:33 · answer #7 · answered by Thelma S 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
aparently she sleeps most of the day, and wants to play all night - when she is up
your sister stayed at home for the weekend - and didn't let her sleep during the day - hmmmmmmmmm
2006-11-20 04:22:41 · answer #8 · answered by tom4bucs 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Here here fenlandfowl!
And I would like to add, doesn't it tell you something, when your dog behaves for your sister and not for you?????
Start treating it like a DOG!
2006-11-20 11:43:12 · answer #9 · answered by Pawstimes16 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
go and by a dog cage thats the only answer sleeping with dogs hmmm not recomended. your keeping yourself up by treating the dog like a human.
dont like the truth eh. your your own worst enemy the dog is training you well
2006-11-20 04:27:06 · answer #10 · answered by yahooisawastofspaceremoveme 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋