My dog has started barking...at 5am!

RE: My dog has started barking...at 5am!

therainyj — Sat, 10 Jan 2015 10:44:23 GMT

Hi Ali and Stacey,

Thanks for your posts.
I didn't hear him at all this morning, though my other half said he was a bit squeaky at around 8pm (much better time anyway!). I woke up around 10am with his furry snout in my face, so the boyf had let him out of his crate at some point.
We took him for a long walk in the rain yesterday evening followed by a bath (which always sends him a bit mental!) and stayed up watching a film until quite late, all of which I think probably helped.
Good suggestion about the foxes, I don't live in the UK though so we don't have them here.
Hopefully just a minor behavoural twinge which we're ironing out!

If you want to see him by the way he has his own instagram account! @ralfymeatball

Thanks again for your posts

therainyj

RE: My dog has started barking...at 5am!

Alison Clare Hickman — Sat, 10 Jan 2015 08:50:21 GMT

Hiya

How'd he go this morning?!

Bless his furry paws!!

Ali h

RE: My dog has started barking...at 5am!

Sierra Bravo — Sat, 10 Jan 2015 08:43:32 GMT

My dog did the exact same a few years back and we later found out it was due to a fix that would come every morning into my garden. We used to go down stairs after the barking became to unbearable and firmly tell my dogs to get on their beds. They soon got the message and have stopped, not sure if this was down to being told off or the fox hasn't been back? Hope this helps a little x

RE: My dog has started barking...at 5am!

therainyj — Fri, 09 Jan 2015 12:39:40 GMT

Hello again!

Update as promised.
He postponed his squeaking until 6.15am today. Then as soon as he made his first chirp, my partner got out of bed and brought him into our bed - not a good idea!! I was pretty mad hah but the damage had likely been done...

We'll see how it goes!

therainyj

RE: My dog has started barking...at 5am!

FINNIGAN — Thu, 08 Jan 2015 13:23:14 GMT

Try leaving a radio on softly playing see if that works, may drown out any noises he. May b hearing

RE: My dog has started barking...at 5am!

therainyj — Thu, 08 Jan 2015 09:48:15 GMT

Hi Ali,
Thanks for your thoughts. It's possible, as there is a park directly behind where I live which is doggie central in the mornings. It seems a little early but I guess people have all sorts of working schedules!
I think I will try a long walk tonight, in the hope that a full exercise session will help him sleep deeper and not wake up at silly-o'clock tomorrow morning!
I'll let you know how it goes tomorrow...!

therainyj

RE: My dog has started barking...at 5am!

Alison Clare Hickman — Thu, 08 Jan 2015 09:35:34 GMT

Hi,

I'm thinking along the same lines as Finnigan..a noise he can hear (which you can't) and it's that that is setting him off. As it occurs around the same time every morning it is more likely to be human-generated than, say, wildlife. It could even be him responding to another dog getting excited before going for a walk and woofing at his/her owner (and this dog could live miles away from you...). He is then barking to join in, seeking a response from the other dog and continues afterwards in frustration that he can't get out so summons you to join in the 'hunt'. Howling is a communication of 'here I am' to his pack and he will keep it up until part of his pack arrives. Could it be a dog he knows already and wants to be with as part of his extended pack? Have the owners of this dog changed their walking routine to 5am?!

Hope he settles / you find the answer!

Ali h

RE: My dog has started barking...at 5am!

therainyj — Thu, 08 Jan 2015 08:30:00 GMT

Hi Finnigan,
Thanks for your reply. Not aware of anything going on outside but I will certainly have a think. Perhaps putting a blanket over most of his crate will help block out noise?
I think he may be suffering from spoilt only-child syndrome...!

RE: My dog has started barking...at 5am!

FINNIGAN — Thu, 08 Jan 2015 08:09:52 GMT

Is there something, possibly outside that is starting him off? A noise he's hearing, a neighbour leavin for work etc??