I would love to but I'm not sure our cats would agree
This morning she was good, no whining but I have started giving her a bone or something to occupy her, plus putting the radio on after I have let her out to the toilet.
There are two issues I guess, her waking up and demanding attention in the mornings and generally attention seeking by whining in the house when she is in her den AND the constant attention seeking when shes allowed to be free and torment our other dog.
How about tv rather than radio. I get up at 5.30 anyway so to me that's normal! But my pup (now 15months!) gets up with me goes out has his breakfast then I put the tv on and he watches it for a bit then goes back to sleep for a couple of hours whilst I get on with my work (I'm self employed and work from home). Maybe Bella would like watching tv? Has she got a nylabone or tuffy toy she could chew/cuddle to amuse herself?
A tether sounds a bit harsh but I can see what you're saying, how about sitting on the floor and redirecting her instead, she does need to learn not to get at your other dog and the tether probably just makes her more 'bouncy' when she is let off because she's frustrated at it holding her and then has a big release of energy and so is more needy/bitey/silly. I would try for a few days not tethering but sitting on the floor and redirecting to a toy or saying no, reward her for doing what you do want with food or praise. Yes it will be frustrating but I reckon in a few days she'll get what you mean and play nice or settle by herself or as Laura says she'll just come to you to find out what to do next.
I find with Sam if I'm working and he comes to me that I will play with him for five minutes or so or give him something to 'help' with then he will go back to amusing himself, just needs a bit of reassurance and company like Jules says. Try it and see.
I think you'll also find she needs less attention and settles a lot better as she grows up she's only a toddler right now and they are demanding (but supr cute with it!)
Paws, great advice. I know tethering is not a great option so will definitely go with the training.
Bella has a nyla bone but isnt that interested in them. She has a fluffy toy and I try to rotate her toys regularly. Mid day she gets a kong too. Sometimes I put peanut butter on her nylabone to get her interested.
Tv could be a good option. I'll try that too.
Thank you for your advice. I know it's about patience. Just recently it's been quite challenging.
Posted: Sat Apr 02, 2011 6:42 am Post subject: Bella now 10 months and still whining...
I am still having problems with Bella. She still whines a lot for attention not just in the mornings but throughout the day. My partner is at home during the day and she is like this. She has also started to refuse to come back in the house after being outside in the garden.
The whining is the biggest problem, especially if we have people over and the house is woken up at 6am.
How often does Bella get walked? Does she have the opportunity to play off lead with other dogs of a similar size and age? - allowing her opportunities to hooly with other dogs of similar temperament will allow her to learn that the old dog she lives with doesn't want to play and will maybe help her calm down in her presence so that Bella can be free more in the house.
I'm afraid that I treat Luna like I do a child. If either communicate with me because they need something or want something then I try to figure out what that is and then either choose to meet their demand or show them what they should be doing instead. It sounds like Bella is trying to communicate something to you and I imagine going back to Jules' post that it is to be with you. Not necessarily playing or training or 'helping' but just being with you, ie able to watch you leave a room and decide whether its worth following you, able to sniff things out and bring them to show you!
Has she had a season yet?
Has a vet checked her over to see if there is a medical reason for her whining so much?
This was the most challenging age for me as a first time dog owner but sticking through it has been MORE than worth it so keep patient and give her lots of fuss and attention for being great!
When Bella whines is she on her own or does she do it when you're already there? Have you tried for a few days as a test taking her into every room you go into all day just lead her there so wherever you are she is, see what happens. You could also see if not going to her she settles herself after a bit but I'm guessing you will have already tried that one and it doesn't work since this has been going on a while.
How about putting her to bed later - if we have people over Sam is allowed to stay up (well usually he goes to sleep but in the room everyone else is in so he can open one eye to check he's not missing out ) and then is only put to bed when we go to bed (i.e. after everyone else has gone). If you know what time she gets up get up first before that, use an alarm if needs be (you can even get vibrating ones that go under your pillow they are for deaf people really but at least they only wake the one person up!) if you go and wake her then she's less likely to whine, I'd then take her straight outside for busys back in breakfast then back in her bed, I understand that might not work for you though, I guess it depends on your own routine!
Have you tried giving her evening meal later or perhaps giving a bedtime snack (say a bonio) maybe she's hungry or needs the toilet and so is getting you up earlier if she didn't need those things she may sleep longer?
What about moving her bed to another room - perhaps she can hear something where she is or its too light, you can get blackout linings for curtains (meant for babies) or cover her crate on a couple of sides if she's crated. I know we can't put Sam's crate near the windows at the front side of the house because if he hears people outside opening their car doors or idiots come down the road making a noise when they're drunk at 2am or something then Sam feels the need to inform us that they're there!
Have you been to the Vet and had Bella checked out - I am wondering if she is perhaps in pain somewhere and she's trying to tell you - I know when Sam's ill (and he's got quite a few medical problems) he is very clingy, when he's well he's not... It might not be something obvious - is there a time of day when she whines more there might be a clue in that - is it always when he tum is empty or when she's just eaten - stomach and intestines? Maybe before walks or after them - elbows? arthritis? Do you see what I mean? I do wish our dogs could talk sometimes!
When you say she's attention seeking what does she do when you give her that attention? Does she want to play? Want a cuddle? Want to go outside? What do you do and what effect does that have?
Have you managed to dispense of the tether? How's it going with the cats?
My advice would be to invest in a crate asap x Go on Ebay, most shops charge in excess of £ 100.00 for crates, so order online, always cheaper, and they are BRAND NEW not 2nd hand x If Bella is in a room, any room will look huge, and the reason she is whining is she cannot see thru the walls, and this will make her nervous. The crate is her own space, and she can call it her own, and can see thru the walls. When you get the crate, just put her blanket/fleece in there, buy a toy which is her ONLY bedtime toy, usually a Cheap Cuddly Toy will suffice, and a small bowl of water, then get Bella used to sleeping in the Crate. Try and put her in a room downstairs too, but by couping her up in a room your are going to give her a complex about being in a room and shut in, she will not feel like this in a crate. The crate is not a punishment room, it is their own space, and is a god send when you want to do the household chores lol So, please think hard and grab the bull by the horns and order one today. Good Luck, and let me know how you get on x
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