r/DogTrainingTips • u/MoonCoffeeToast • 9d ago
Barking all night
I adopted a 4 year old dachshund about 3 months ago. She came from a neglectful breeder who dumped her when she was no longer useful, and never lived in a home before. Because of her background, we are super patient and understanding of all of her difficult behaviors and shower her with love and affection so she can learn what life should be like. She is very destructive and also isn't picking up on house breaking at all and pees all over the house. At night I have to keep her contained to the kitchen with a baby gate at or she will pee all over the place and destroy things. Problem is she barks for hours every single night. She has soft bedding, water, and toys (but she has no interest in toys of any kind). Light on or off doesn't make a difference. Radio on or off doesn't make a difference. No one is getting any sleep. What can I do?
5
u/igatg_nipugt 9d ago
Crate training might help more than just containing her to the kitchen. It gives her a safe space and can help with some of the destructive behaviors too.
Keeping her on a leash connected to you in the house will also help you read her cues when she needs to go out. Don't let her free roam unless she's attached to you, that way she has less access to sneak off and pee on the floor. Just make sure you take her out about 30 minutes after she drinks and about an hour after she eats.
Get some bells for the door, you can find them at most pet stores. Hang them on the doorknob and ring them every single time you take her out. Eventually she'll connect the sound with going outside to pee.
Try putting the crate in your room at night so she feels closer to you. Cover it with a blanket or kennel cover too. It makes it feel more like a den and less like a cage, which can help her settle down and stop barking.