Sleeping pills for dogs??

Question

My dog wakes everyone up all through the night to go outside when she really doesn't have to go, she will just stand outside for like ten to twenty minutes. Does anyone know of any sleeping pills for dogs? Or any other suggestions? Its a real problem. We haven't gotten sleep in years. The dog is 11.

We got the dog when she was 6 from my mother's ex-coworker.... and this has gotten worse lately. We don't have a fence so we can't do a doggy door.

Answer 1

Don't get up and let her out. She has you trained to do this.

Tell her "no" in a firm voice and direct her to her bed or wherever she sleeps.
She obviously thinks this is part of her normal routine.

Make sure you feed her at the same time every night and let her out before bed to do her business.

Add: She will have different behavior than her normal "waking you up" behavior if she really needs to go out. Once in a while one of my dogs wakes me up in the early A.M. to go out, but I know it is real because he acts kind of panicked (panting) and is trembling a little, like he can't hold it much longer.
Of coarse, when this happens, I get up and let him out. He goes immediately and runs back in to bed.

Answer 2

Really, if you have been supporting this behaviour for 11 years, its hardly fair to blame it on the dog, or start drugging her now 'cause you're tired of it. If you are certain that she can hold it overnight, then the only hope you have to break her of this is to ignore her when she starts fussing to go out at night...I would plan this for a weekend, as it will not be peaceful....but most dogs figure out pretty quickly that no one is going to come and amuse them just because they are whining or barking, and they will go back to sleep- first night will be the longest, second a little less, 3rd maybe nothing, although she may still try from time to time just to make sure you all haven't changed your minds.

Answer 3

It's a habit now, not a sleeping disorder. A dog door would prevent you from getting up, but maybe during the day she is not given enough exercise to tire her out and she is restless? But rule out any physical medical conditions first.

Answer 4

You should have never gotten her into the habit of getting up everytime she needs something, especially when its the middle of the night. It's too bad she's so old, or I would suggest putting her in a crate just for night time. You might want to try this method first, give it a few nights for her to get used to it, eventually she'll realize its only for a few hours every night.... and, in my opinion, it's better than drugging her.

Answer 5

I have a dog that loves to sleep! but in your case, dont give your dog sleeping pills. I've read and my doctor said that it isnt good to give your dog sedatives...it ruins their system and their ability to function right...you just need to train he/she to sleep when you want it to. If your dog gets up in the middle of the night just ignore him. and he'll go back to bed shortly...when my dog was a pup he did the exact same thing that your dog does all the time! So try it out...sorry if its no help.

Answer 6

Maybe the dog needs to see the vet. If it thinks it has to go and doesn't, there might be a problem.
Even Benedryl does not make dog tired.

Answer 7

Get a doggy door so she doesn't have to wake you up to go outside.

Answer 8

get an invisible fence and a dog door so she can let herself out any time she wants to

Answer 9

Nightmares from watching too much of American Idol?

Answer 10

Yeah, you can get them at pet stores they are all natural, they contain barley and hops......