shes started whining at bedtime

Hi everyone, any advise please? Misty is 6 months old and until last night was fine in her crate at bedtime. But she's started whining as soon as she's left in there now. Up until yesterday she had been tired and in her bed by 9-30 ish but was whining until 11-30 last night and she's doing it again now! I'm usually asleep by now as I'm up at 6, but she's keeping us awake. I really do not want her in our room at night. I've been covering her crate with a sheet for a couple of weeks since it got a bit cooler to keep draughts out, and have bought her a extra blanket today in case she's cold. Dunno what else to try except horlicks, lol! :-(

An article of clothing with yuor scent on it, a ticking clock, and a radio at a low volume should help.

Hi thanks I'll try that tonight, although she really has been problem free since we got her in June, it's just been these last 2 nights. Thanks again x

could any thing have scared her??

Not that I'm aware of, she's in her crate same as always, in our hallway but you never can tell I guess. Would covering the crate at night with a sheet help do you think? Make her feel secure?

Mistyblue wrote:Not that I'm aware of, she's in her crate same as always, in our hallway but you never can tell I guess. Would covering the crate at night with a sheet help do you think? Make her feel secure?

She's getting older and now has allot more energy, Try tiring her out before bed or give her something to do in the crate.

Lol, can you tell her to be tired, please!!!! I think you might be right Amelie, any tips?! We've been out for a walk at 6.30 but I don't like going to the field after dark as it's not lit so her walk has got earlier recently. We've played ball since then and still she's wide awake.

Tiring Misty out is the best way to get her to sleep. Something covering the crate may well help too.

Thanks Ian, she's finally laid down now, gonna out her into her bed in a min and cover it over and fingers crossed she will settle

Good luck, hope you get a peaceful sleep

Aww bless paws crossed for a peaceful night for u

increase your last walk with her...flirt pole..with toy or treats...she can be on a longish leash to that way.
Mental stimulation....have a look on Google there are many ways to make, cheap handy dog toys for distraction and really makes them think about it.
example~http://blog.theanimalrescuesite.com/amazingdogtoy/
Kongs in the crate with her.
Dogs are family oriented especially Staffs they crave human attention and now she knows whats what with her and her home and probably only now truly settled, She want to be with you guys, so she has to learn that being a few feet away is ok. She's get there.

Thanks all, she was fine last night. I can see small improvements every day in different parts of her behaviour. She listened to me sand idn't run away this morning on the field when she saw another dog, she waited until the dog came to her but did leg it on the way back when she saw another doggie!

How long is she usually awake and active before you want her to settle down? Most dogs will sleep for 15 or 16 hours per day. It's up to you when. We don't let our pup sleep after 4pm on most days that way we know she'll sleep when we do.
Pete