Bedtime Battle

deborah

deborah

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For six years now, bedtime has always been the same. But Nicholas is not wanting to stay in his crate at bedtime. He paws at the door, so I've let him sleep on the couch the last two nights. He has never, ever had a problem with his crate before.

The routine was always: back from the walk, march into the crate with his squeaky toy, fresh water and a cookie, falls asleep. Snores. The crate is in the bedroom, so separation isn't the problem. Now he still hops in, same as always, will even go in during the day. But he won't stay in. I've checked everything, in the crate and on Nicholas. Nothing is changed or different, and Nicholas is nothing if not a creature of habit.

Any thoughts or suggestions are most welcome.
 
I'm stumped. All I can think is that he's uncomfortable for whatever reason. Does he stay put on the couch or does he move from place to place?
 
Has the temp changed? Maybe his bed is too warm or too chilly? Has it been washed recently? Has the dog possibly outgrown it? Maybe he just has changed and doesn't care to sleep in there all night long. Maybe needs more stretch out room. Just as their tastes change, but he just isn't comfy in there anymore.
 
Deborah
Maybe Karrie is right, could he do with a larger crate? I'm sorry I can't be more of a help, I've never crated mine. Living in limited space, the crates would be in the way for us. And we love having them with us all the time.:)
 
Is it at all possible that his vision is changing and the inside of the crate is dark and scary, because he feels like he can't see? Maybe a visit to a CERF certified vet is in order, to get his eyes thoroughly checked?
 
Last night, he pranced in, same as always, without being asked. After eating his milkbone, he suddenly seems to realise he's not comfy, somehow. Nicholas is about 10, and his box is upholstered with an orthopaedic foam mattress, plus fuzzy bolstered pad. Since he's never fussed before, I give in pretty quick. He seems to settle pretty quickly to his fave spot on sofa, and doesn't move all night. We're in a condo, just one bedroom, so it's not a change of temp, and the crate is right next to our bed. Our bed is too small for three, and my husband is a light sleeper. My current theory is Steve's snoring is keeping Nicholas awake ;-D Will launder his crate bedding, maybe try another pillow cover.
 
Were you home more during the holidays or did your schedual change? If all seems comfy in his crate it could be that he found out the if he fusses he gets to sleep outside the crate. When he goes to bed if he fusses to get out then take him out of the crate but after a little bit put him back in. We allow the girls to sleep on our bed at home but crate when we are on the boat or traveling. Some times the Diva aka Hannah will fuss a little about having to give up the bed but seems to know that it will not get her out.

My daughter was home much more than normal during the holidays due to her business being down because of the snow. Now that she is back to work full time, her boy now thinks that he doesn't like his crate at home...and is showing signs of seperation anxiety. I have no problem crating him when he is here (an additional dog and one that weights in at 72 pounds no less is one too many). He is crated when we leave home also.
 
Hmmmm sounds like he found himself a new fav spot to sleep :) Can't say I blame him hehe
 
No external changes to schedule, no holiday travel (we were snowed in too, and he *loves* snow). The only thing diferent is that I have a head cold right now. Since he is my service dog, Nicholas goes everywhere with me. And at home, he was as likely to sleep in his crate as anywhere. With training like his, I do pay attention is he fusses, cause he just doesn't do it often. The only thing diff is that I have a head cold right now. Shoot, was hoping for something more constructive. I've got call into vet for check up later this week. Thanks to all for ideas.
 
Deborah
Hope you feel better soon, and, let us know what the vet thinks..
 
Back to Normal

Nicholas is back to sleeping in the Fortress of Dogitude. And the solution is something I've always wondered about. Surface Texture. He prefers less friction, even over squishy-ness. Nicholas seems to like the less luxurious, but slippery-ier nylon cover on his ortho foam, instead of the fluffier bolster cover that was on top of that. Why he's decided this after 5+ years of the same style faux sheepskin? Dunno. But he frequently picks the bare wooden floor instead of the squishy dog bed on the slippery wooden floor. Oh well.

Edit to add photo:
Photo_042008_001.jpg
 
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Even in the winter time Gabby likes to sleep near the windows where the cold draft hits him. He'll move around different spots in the house to suite his tastes. We keep the thermostat at 70F.
 
After two nights back to normal, Nicholas went "Rebel" again last night. Our thermostat is at 65 day and night. Honestly, I was worried that maybe he was too cold (given my hot flashes, I'm never sure what the real temp is). After five and a half years, why this sudden change in his habits, we just can't fathom. My husband, Steve, had a couple of very bad dog experiences as a child, and I promised him that Nicholas wouldn't be able to jump on the bed in the middle of the night. But closing the bedroom door works, too. Our regular vet was out this week, and Nicholas seems healthy and happy otherwise, so we are going to let it ride for now.
 
Deborah
I would watch him. I will usually worry also if normal behavior changes. Having mosly rescues with the exception of Pogo who was about 6 months old when I got him, so I'm sure he was under a year old, and Stormy who I know his exact age.. I think that my dogs were always older than the pounds said. So, I would always watch for different behaviors. That usually meant something changed.. for instance I noticed different behaviors in my Patrick. I thought he had a tooth ache. His chin was damp and his appitate was just okay.. he ate but not with as much gusto.. he was in renal failure. I guess what I'm trying to say, is since our little guys don't talk.. just watch their body language. I estimated that Pak was about 10 when I lost him.. but getting Stormy who I know will be 6 in a couple of months and acts and looks like a younger dog to me makes me think that there is a very good possibility that my rescues were older than I orginally thought.
 
Polly, I agree completely. Rescued dogs learn to be extra adept at masking illness, hiding any sign of weakness, or they wouldn't have made it this far. Right now, this is the only symptom. He had back trouble a few years back, but there's no sign of swelling, inflammation or edema. His appetite is as good as ever, eyes and coat shiny, stools normal. Full of the usual amount of play and happiness. Even his ears are clean.

And who knows his true age? When Nicholas came to us in 2003, the rescue folks thought he was about 2-3, but at the time my vet said, "more like 6." But now, the vet figures him for 7-8, five years later! I tell people he's about 10, but who knows, really?
 
And who knows his true age? When Nicholas came to us in 2003, the rescue folks thought he was about 2-3, but at the time my vet said, "more like 6." But now, the vet figures him for 7-8, five years later! I tell people he's about 10, but who knows, really?

Exactly Deborah..
 
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