One of our approved adopters ended up adopting a 2-3 year old female lab from one of our local shelters. Apparently the dog is doing great in her home thus far (she's only had her since Friday) HOWEVER, at night dog doesn't want to go to sleep...wants to keep playing and barks non-stop when the new owner get's in bed. I'm trying to explain that pulling a dog straight from the shelter isn't going to be 'pefect harmony' right away...that there WILL ALWAYS be issues that need to be ironed out. Afterall...the dog was ditched for SOME reason...most likely it has never received a single minute of training in it's life and that the new owner will have to work w/ her on these issues. She can't expect to have a perfect pet in just a few days. I've dealt with dogs barking out in the yard when left alone, dogs barking/whining because they have separation anxiety and of course puppies whining in the crate however I've not dealt w/ a young adult barking as it sounds like this one is doing...mine are always eager to go to sleep when I do! Any suggestions???

It sounds like the dog hasn't acclimated to the household schedule, which, as you pointed out, isn't going to happen in just a few short days. A suggestion that I would make would be to have the adopter exercise her dog for at least an hour before bed time. Then, at bed time, the dog should go in a crate or have a designated sleeping place, preferably in the adopter's room, where she is given a stuffed Kong or something like that, to get her to lie down and focus on something other than barking/playing (most Labs that I know just love to chew).
The adopter should know that Labs need lots of exercise, or they WILL develop behavior problems as a result of pent up energy. It has to come out somehow! Since most Labs love to retrieve, this would be a great way to exercise her. Retrieving can be done on a long line at first, since the dog is new to her and may not stick around if let off leash.

Is the woman crating the dog at night? Does the dog live In the house or outside? Is she taking the dog for a walk before lights out? Maybe a good walk and a quiet crate with no distractions will help.
I've created another barking problem for myself that maybe someone can help with. My dog turn in at night, crated, no problem. The problem is that I got in the habit of getting up in the morning when THEY woke up to allow them to urinate (they are 7 months & 4 months). Now the 7 month old keeps moving the time earlier and earlier to start barking. First it was between 5 & 6am, then around 4:30. Last night the dog woke up at 2:30am and starts barking! I let the dog out, he pees and back in the crate. If I don't let him out, it's bark, bark, bark! I really have not wanted to get a bark collar, but I am strongly considering it.

If you're sure it's not because he has to "go", earplugs are a lot cheaper! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> After a few nights, he should figure out that barking doesn't work.

Run the dog into the ground LOL

Long walk before bed, and a good 15- 30 minutes of play... wear the dog out!

The dog has it's own bed directly beside the lady's bed...she would allow it to sleep in bed w/ her if it wanted as well. I didn't think to tell her to give the dog a stuffed kong to munch on in the meantime...I know she definitely needs to get out and walk it around OR throw the ball around the house-which she does have room to do. I have a feeling that she comes home and just wants to veg...her other dog is a 5 year old couch potato...sounds like this is more along the lines of what she was looking for...one that she doesn't have to do much for. Why is it that the absolute PERFECT adoption applicants with praise screaming from all directions from friends and vet's...are the most absolute high maintenance???

 Quote:

Originally posted by Tammy McDowell:
Why is it that the absolute PERFECT adoption applicants with praise screaming from all directions from friends and vet's...are the most absolute high maintenance???

Who knows? Maybe because they think they've 'paid their dues' by going to the trouble of getting all those references and feel entitled to the most perfect pet, specially matched to their impeccable pet-ownership pedigree? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Anyway, exercise alone doesn't tire a dog out nearly as fast as exercise + obedience drill...she does believe in obedience training, doesn't she?
An hour's walk interspersed with a couple of short drills emphasising proper heeling with nice snappy sits, downs and recalls (or training them -- also very tiring) and some playtime will get a nice wonderfully tired dog more prepared to sleep. I suspect she'll sleep better herself. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Dei.

 Quote:

Originally posted by Naa-Dei Nikoi:

 Quote:

Originally posted by Tammy McDowell:
Why is it that the absolute PERFECT adoption applicants with praise screaming from all directions from friends and vet's...are the most absolute high maintenance???

Who knows? Maybe because they think they've 'paid their dues' by going to the trouble of getting all those references and feel entitled to the most perfect pet, specially matched to their impeccable pet-ownership pedigree? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Anyway, exercise alone doesn't tire a dog out nearly as fast as exercise + obedience drill...she does believe in obedience training, doesn't she?
An hour's walk interspersed with a couple of short drills emphasising proper heeling with nice snappy sits, downs and recalls (or training them -- also very tiring) and some playtime will get a nice wonderfully tired dog more prepared to sleep. I suspect she'll sleep better herself. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Dei.

Dei,
If she were to have actually adopted the Lab from our group-we would have a signed contract stating that the dog MUST be enrolled in obedience class after adoption...so there is no way we could actually be certain that she'd attend an obedience class...or work on obedience for that matter. I will however make the suggestion to her (again! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> ). Thanks!

Two words. . .BARK COLLAR!

Unless you want to spend endless time working to teach a quiet command, not reward the dog for barking. . .in any way. . .and positively reward his nice quiet self. . .blah blah blah

Vancamp...I suggested that to the lady as well. Was told...oh that's not very humane...blah..blah..blah. Since she wasn't thrilled about the one that gives a shock, I suggested the one that sprays citronella, LOL...'But wouldn't that get all over my bedding and stuff?' Urgh!!!