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Tyson is a 4 month old puppy. Whilst we were on holiday a neighbour took care of him, she let him sleep on her bed, now he thinks he should sleep in ours. In fact he won't even stay downstairs. We have a safety gate but he just continues to bark. We have tried to ignore him but we have neighbours who have a new born baby to think about. Can you help us?
Just as quickly as they learned to sleep on the bed, they can as quickly
re-learn to not. The key is to designate a clear area where they do
sleep, not just "not on the bed". If they have a pillow or other
designated spot, it should be made clear that is where they are to sleep.
Allowing them to continue to bark without consequence will not make them
give up. They will continue until their heart is content! Now consequence
shouldn't be anything harmful, just corrective. Unfortunately this may
mean getting out of bed, marching downstairs and using the same commands
you normally would for them to calm down. Direct them to where they
should be (on their pillow or otherwise) to be sleeping.
This may take repetition, but a corrective "pack leader" assertiveness
will let them know you are leading them to where they need to be.
The puppy naturally would not consider just anyone (like a neighbor) their
temporary pack leader while you were away. They would naturally try to
gain that position to someone new. However, upon your return, you should
be back in that role (if you were indeed prior to leaving!).
Either way, step up, be the leader, and they should follow.
The biggest thing when keeping your dog away from you at night or
otherwise, is for them to know the difference between you leaving just for
bed and leaving for days. Since you did just go away for awhile, they may
be thinking you are leaving again even though you are just going to bed.
So also try to go to bed a bit earlier but coming back to visit after a short
time. Continue to increase the times between departures. It will help
show your dog that you are just around the corner.
Do not come upon them barking, but when you are prepared to come back.
Follow the rest of the "pack leader" rules throughout our website when it
comes to properly giving attention to your pet upon entering a room etc.
It all plays together in achieving this great relationship with your dog.
