Hello all,

Wondering if anyone came across this problem before.

I have a 4 year old long haired dachshund and her name is Aurora. We crate trained sleeping at night since we got her "6 weks old". Every once in a while she would whine a little in her crate but nothing bad. All of a sudden the last 2 days have been bad. She will shine then let out a bark and she did this for a while. We took her outside to make sure see didn't have to do any business and a couple of times she did. The first night she did this was bad then the second night wasn't as bad. She started whining a little around 2am and my wife took her outside to see if she had to do her buisness and she did. When my wife put her back in her crate she whined and barked and also sounded like she was trying to get out of the crate. This went on for about 30 mintutes and then she quited down for the rest of the night.

Just wondering if anyone has gone through this and has any idea on what is the problem. She really never did this before. We made no changes to her crate nor the room where she sleeps.

Questions I have:

1) She is getting older and she just doesn't need as much sleep ?

2) She is just trying to get our attention ?

3) She is fine during the day and it appears nothing is wrong with her. She still eats good and is not acting any different. Should we just ignore her barking after making sure she doesn't have to do any business ?

Any advice is appreciated.

Alvin

hey, alvin!   :--)

since this is a F dog who is 4-YO, i would suggest an immediate trip
to the vet - Fs are always more prone to UTIs than M dogs, and the
burning feeling of urgency can be present, even when there is very
little or no urine in the bladder - it is just inflamed.

if this was my dog, i would be asking for a urine-culture, not just
a slide under the scope - a culture might grow something that
does not show up in the slide.

giving her a steady supplement of probiotics (human-quality) will
also help prevent any UTIs in the future - the healthy popn of
friendly bacteria, will out-breed and defeat the nasty bacteria.
the more strains + species, the better - that way if something kills
only one or 2 strains or species, there are others to step into the
gap, before some nasty critters explode in popn.
(we always carry some nasty bugs - the trick is to keep them to
a minimum, and avoid having them over-grow + out-compete the
Good Bacteria.)

UDOS  CHOICE is an excellent name-brand, and they have live
bacteria counts that are in the * Billions * per capsule.  they must
be kept in the frig, to avoid having them die - even BEFORE they
are opened, refrigeration is absolutely mandatory.
U will not find Udos Choice at most corner drug-stores -
check on the Web for stores near U, or order it on-line.
in humans, a capsule per day for 3 days is a good start -
then U can reduce it to a few times a week, as a maintenance level.

she could also have a painful gut, gassy cramps, etc - is she fussy,
cannot settle, taking fewer naps during quiet times in the house?
an irritated bowel can do that.
colitis is often a result of something they eat that is not apropos, or
that is spoiled, too fatty, etc.  they generally recover after a day or
two of light meals (usually boiled meat with low-fat, and cooked
rice, very bland).

if the vet gives her an all-clear, then it is a behavioral issue.
i would put her crate within arms reach of the bed, and if she begins
to fuss, gently but firmly * burp * the crate with a flat palm - do NOT
smack it, burp it like a baby. she will hush to listen - even tho this is
more of a vibration than a sound. IN THAT HUSH, praise her warmly!
very quiet voice, warm + fulsome - Good girl, go to sleep....
or some such soothing phrase.

then take a deep breath, SIGH, roll over, and settle into the bed.
999 dogs of 1,000 will mimic U, get up, turn around, settle + go to
sleep.

applying lavender-water (for bed-linens) about 15-mins before bedtime
so that the scent can diffuse can also help - aromatherapy is a very
real, low-key, safe way to affect emotions. be SURE it is botanical
lavender - not artificial perfume. it is the essential oils that make the
change, not just the fragrance.
U can spray a small rag, and lay it down on the roof of her shipping
crate - if U have a WIRE crate, lay a solid surface underneath it!
like a china plate - for safety, so she does not pull the rag in to chew
or swallow it.

cheers, and i hope she is feeling better + U are sleeping soundly,
SOON - good night,
 ---   terry

When there is a sudden change like this in behavior such as you describe, a vet visit is a good idea. 

Terry thanks for the feedback.

I plan on bringing her to the Vet tomorrow to get her checked out.

Just to give a little more information,,,, We put her in her crate at 10pm and she usually goes to sleep around 9pm on our couch. The wife and I will watch TV and she will lay on the couch and go to sleep and she has been sleeping without any problem for the last couple of days. Like I said in the last message she seems to be ok during the day..... It's almost like she doesn't want to be in her crate anymore...

Again thanks for all the information.

Alvin

Thanks 'nette,

We plan on taking her to the Vet tommorow morning.

Alvin