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Old 02-02-2009, 11:07 PM
Peter3d Peter3d is offline
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Question Middle of the Night Bathroom Calls
HELP! Madison, my Rhodesian Ridgeback is 8 years old. With a genetic disposition to be the alpha, she ruled much of her first 8 months. After a couple of years with a trainer we all learned a a great deal. Honestly, myself most of all!

These days she respects her boundaries (with some exceptions now and then. hey... she's a dog!). She challenges once in a while, and we end up face to face on all fours in a wrestling match... completely playful and fun... something I love about her.

MY PROBLEM: I have two roomates, sincere dog lovers. Between the three of us, one of us takes Mady out before bed, usually between 10 and 11.

EVERY NIGHT... for nearly a year, no matter the season, between 1:30 and 4:00 AM she wakes me up to go outside. If I'm sound asleep, she goes to my roommates room.

She probably doesn't know it but I can tell the difference between her 'I'm having a bad day and going to make you get up because I can, but don't really have to go.' In which case I ignore her and eventually she falls back to sleep.

Conversely I pick up , the "I REALLY have to go! Please let me out!" Which i pull my robe on and take her out.

Vet says repeatedly she's a-ok, physically fit, not troubles.. so i think this is a behaviour issue.


MY QUESTION:
how can I break this habit since it's not physical problem? This never use to happen.

WHAT I DO:
Make sure she goes out before bed...not just a walk around, but 'go pee' (and poo) and make sure she does.

This is a new behavior, and if Mady REALLY has to go out at 3 am, I'll be happy to open the door.

But, I think she's got one up on me. Ridgebacks are extremely intellegent and I feel I'm letting her one up on me. Appreciate any help!!

Thanks for any advice you all have!!!!
Peter
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  #2  
Old 02-03-2009, 08:24 AM
frank frank is offline
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Default Doggie door?
Have you thought about putting in a doggie door? I used to have one and it was great until Katie's arthritis started bothering her when she tried to go through it.
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Old 02-03-2009, 09:03 AM
frank frank is offline
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Default More on doggy door
On second thought, a doggy door big enough for a Rhodesian Ridgeback might present a security problem. I know some people that are smaller!
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Old 02-03-2009, 10:50 AM
frank frank is offline
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Default More on nighttime problems
Another thought - don't feed her after about 6pm, and pick up her water dish about that time (and put down the toilet lids too if she's so disposed!)
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Old 02-03-2009, 03:59 PM
grandmaks grandmaks is offline
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Default night calls
Grandma here-

Marlee used to do that to us but no more. We tell her to get back to sleep--- and if she really needs to go, she will go to the door and bark. It has a been a long time really needing to go. She had us going for awhile.

good luck
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Old 02-08-2009, 04:48 PM
grandmaks grandmaks is offline
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Default
Peter3rd--- How is the training going?
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Old 03-12-2009, 09:34 PM
TheresaH TheresaH is offline
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Default Hanna does this too - but she 'slurps' to get out!
Our dog does this too. Sorry I don't have any answers. Our dog slurps - when she really has to go. That's her 'tell' for how serious it is. If you let it go beyond slurping, well the sounds just get worse and worse
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Old 03-26-2009, 02:54 PM
artpaws artpaws is offline
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Default No treats for middle of the night calls.
Don't know if this will help in your situation, but I have two elderly dogs myself, a 10 year old Siberian and a 16 year old German Shepherd husky mix.

Old dogs have a hard time with bladder control, but I've had really good success with this method of reinforcement training. In the morning if they have been good dogs (no slip ups), go outside and do their duty, they get a treat (usually a dog biscuit, lots of praise and petting. If they wake me in the middle of the night for an emergency stop, they don't get a treat, and a simple good word and pet. If they don't wake me up, they get frowns, shown why they were bad, and get no treats. This especially works when it is applied to one dog that sees the other get treats and praise for being a good dog.

Look on the bright side though. At least your dog is waking you up instead of leaving you presents. ;-)
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Old 04-15-2009, 05:54 PM
planeturine planeturine is offline
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Default Re: Middle of the Night Bathroom Calls
Here are some tips for house training your dog, http://www.1shoppingcart.com/app/?Clk=2947734. If an accident does happen these are great cleaning products, http://www.1shoppingcart.com/app/?Clk=2947303
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Old 04-15-2009, 05:59 PM
planeturine planeturine is offline
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Default Re: Middle of the Night Bathroom Calls
Here are some tips for house training your dog, http://www.1shoppingcart.com/app/?Clk=2947734. If an accident does happen these are great cleaning products, http://www.1shoppingcart.com/app/?Clk=2947303
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