HELP!!!! My Dog Won't Sleep

I'm wide awake at 4:49 AM because my Siberian Husky won't calm down and go to bed. This has been going on for the past couple of weeks. I live in a studio apt. He prowls around all night, jumps on and off my bed and whines. I AM ABOUT READY TO GO NUTS! I've tried walking him later in the evening and taking him for longer walks but that isn't working. I've tried being mean and locking him in the bathroom just to get him out of my hair so I can sleep but then he gets upset and barks and I don't want him waking up the neighbors. I've tried getting up and walking him at 2:00 a.m. (not fun). Nothing works. I've been cranky with him during the day since this mess has started because I'm tired and annoyed with him.

If it helps to be able to diagnose the problem: this all started about 2 wks. ago when he had a bad bout with diarhea and really did need to wake me up in the middle of the night so I could take him out to go to the bathroom. But as far as I can tell, his tummy is fine now.

This wouldn't that big of a deal if I lived in a house and had a garage I could stick him in or something like that but it's just me trapped here in not much space with this great big furry insomniac.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Hiya.

How old is your dog? Are you sure there isn't something that is making him unsettled? A noise he is hearing maybe? A car starting at that particular hour?
As well as long walks are you doing obedience with him to keep him stimulated? Does he have a warm bed, toys etc?

Sorry for the questions, just t rying to gather as much info as possible
Have you tried a crate? I've never used them, but know that others swear by them. If you use a crate, then of course he can't wander around, and will learn eventually that his whining won't get him anywhere, as the crate means bed and thats it.

Good luck

He's ten and yeah, noises from cars and stuff could be an issue. I live in the city right off of a highway and have started leaving the windows open at night now (instead of closed with air conditioning on) since it's gotten cooler but he's never been that sensitive to noises before.

I don't think my apt. is big enough for a crate. I have a toddler gate I use sometimes to section off one area for him and he's usually fine with it but if he doesn't like it and starts barking I have to let him out or else the neighbors would complain.

He sleeps in my bed and has never been interested at all in toys but some other dog owners at the park have been telling me about some dog toys that you put food or peanut butter in and the dog has to work to get the food out and supposedly they never get bored with the challenge and it keeps them really busy. As soon as I can get to Pet Smart I'm going to look for one.

It sounds like he needs some more exercise to tire him out for bed

That was what I thought at 1st but I've tried that and it doesn't seem to help. Also, he's a senior citizen now and just in general doesn't seem to really need or want very much exercise these days. I'll try taking him out 3 times today though, instead of the usual 2 and see if that helps.

Chip was given up to me because they thought he needed more stimulation etc. It was absolutely the opposite ! He thought that he was pleasing them ! He really just wanted to chill out. Just a thought .

at ten, with a sudden change in behavior, he really ought to see the vet. he might be in some kind of pain that's keeping him from getting comfortable. a lot of what you said points to a physical issue ahead of a behavioral one (at least in my mind).

^^ I agree

Sry, I didn't realize his age . . .

elegy excellent point. Now that you have said how old he is, a vet checkup would be very wise. I have been told too that dogs that have hearing probs, often are noisier because they can't actually hear themselves. I'm not saying your pooch has a hearing problem but it is a possibility. Either way I wish you the very best of luck, and let us know how you're getting on

And big hugs for the old fella

I'm sorry !!! I missed the age too !!! My female about that age developed a brain tumor and was up what seems 24 hrs.... please vet ASAP !