HELP! our JRT keeps waking us up in the middle of the night.

by Suzanne
(Kansas)

We have a male JRT, who is 8 years old. He sleeps in his kennel, it's his sanctuary. We never had a problem with this until recently. He has been waking us up everynight, for the last week or 2, by either heavy panting, or whining and barking. There is no apparent reason, he has water, he doesn't need to go outside. There are a couple of things that may play part in this... 1. We had a 2nd JRT for about 6 months, and she wasn't working out, so we found her another home. But before that, he was fine. Maybe he misses her? So, we put a stuffed animal in with him in his kennel.

2. He's due for some shots, could he maybe have some kind of chemical inbalance??? I have no idea. We have tried giving him benadryl, we have tried a different bed, we have tried putting him outside... It is getting really bad b/c he has been waking up our entire family, I have 2 boys in elementary and jr high. My husband and I work full time, this behavior needs to stop.

Please reply back to me at connere68@yahoo.com. We are desperate. I don't want to have to get rid of him b/c of this, but we also can't have him waking us up everynight. It is interfering with work and school.

Comments for HELP! our JRT keeps waking us up in the middle of the night.

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Jun 10, 2008
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Help
by: MARY HARBORVIEW JRTS

Oh my, just read your additional comment about the guinea pig. Well heck ya, your pig is driving your jack mad. Remember please your Jack Russell hunts. and a guinea pig is quarry. Now that the jack can hear the pig, he is up and ready to hunt down and kill the pig. Move the pig out of your room. I would find a new home for the pig before it is killed and eaten. Sleep well

Apr 26, 2008
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More Exercise Might Help
by: Stefanie

My puppy wakes up in the middle of the night sometimes, I think it's the cats outside (she hates cats and any noise outside). Anyway, we started taking her on walks and runs right before bed and this helps a lot because it helps them release the nervous energy that might otherwise just build up during the night. I prefer this to punishing, mostly because I don't think a dog who is spooked in the night should be punished for being scared and talking about it. However, my husband was also really annoyed because he was sooo tired the next day at work. The night time walks and/or exercise have become a ritual and really help.

Feb 08, 2008
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Wake up Dog
by: Suzanne

Hi Trisha,

Thanks for you quick response. One more thing I forgot to add, is we have a guinea pig, that's in the same room as Jake. He used to be in an aquarium, and we got him a new cage, that is open...I put him in the basement last night, and magic, he didn't wake us up... He really wants to eat the guinea pig. Badly... So, I'm thinking that the guinea pig was moving around in his cage around 3 in the morning every night, waking jake up, and jake wanted a midnight or 3 in the morning snack.

Feb 08, 2008
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Wake up Dog!
by: Pics & Tics

Hi Suzanne,

I thought I'd answer you here in the forum so others with this problem might get some help too.

Very odd that he has suddenly started up this behavior. I don't believe it's a chemical imbalance but it might have something to do with losing the little friend.

I had a problem with Annie barking in the middle of the night for a while. I took a spray bottle and squirted her with it and scolded her just a bit and she seemed to pick up on my desire pretty quickly although I had to do it for several nights and at first, a few times a night. I lost some sleep but she stopped after a few nights. Great relief!

This may not work but you could try it. And let me know how it turns out ok?

Good luck!

Trisha

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