miss barks a lot

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#1
Me and my boyfriend just got a dog from the aspca, she is about a year and a half and is a husky mix. We got her last night, so this is her second night with us. I dont think she's properly potty trained, she hasn't gone right away when we've walked her and she peed in the house this morning right after having been taken for a walk. We bought a cage so she won't go in the house while we're sleeping, but she hates it. She has food and water and a blanket to lay on. She will not stop barking and it's late and i'm tired. Will this just take time forher to get used to it (she barked a lot last night too, she stopped after a few hours), should i admonish her for barking?
 

Rubylove

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#2
No you should not admonish her for barking. Have patience! She is a rescued dog and therefore probably has had an unhappy life. She could have lots of behavioural quirks that you will have to get used to, and be kind, loving and patient while you do so.

It is just wonderful of you to have given a home to a rescued dog. But all dogs take up a lot of time and effort, and rescue dogs even more so. You will need to spend time with this dog and really care for her - even more so than you would with a new puppy - because she has most likely been badly treated, abused and neglected.

Your dog is probably frightened, anxious and very nervous about her new home and environment. The peeing may well be a symptom of that, or she may just never have been taught. Many people think that dogs are born wired knowing how to please us and behave the way we want them to, but this is just not true. All of the things you want from your dog, well, you have to take the time and patience to teach her, because she won't just know.

Huskies are a vocal breed and it is highly possible that she was left alone a lot, without much exercise, and has developed a barking habit. She is probably also barking out of anxiety, and also, well, just cos she's a dog and dogs bark.

What you do is ignore her when she barks (even if she does it for hours - I'm serious) and reward her with lavish praise, affection and a tasty treat the second she stops. At the moment she is getting some kind of reinforcement or reward out of barking - she may be doing it to comfort herself or for a number of other reasons. As soon as she has an even better reason NOT to bark, she'll learn to stay quiet.

The most important thing to remember with dogs is that scolding, punishment and admonishment don't work. They will respond to praise for correct behaviours and being ignored for incorrect behaviours. But to a dog, no behaviour is incorrect because they work on instinct, not on conscious reasoning. Therefore you have to rely on their instinct to teach them. Make more acceptable behaviour more rewarding for your dog, and they will behave that way more often. Basically, if it works for them, they'll do it. If it doesn't, they won't!

It is only your second night with your new baby. Give her some time to settle, which could take a few weeks, and stick around - you'll get a lot of good advice here! Good luck and well done to you for rescuing a dog in need.
 
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#4
I agree. If she's a rescue dog, she's probably been through a lot and will take some time to settle in. I think once she sees that this is her forever home, she'll calm down. It's a big adjustment for her, new home and new mama. Keep showing her lots of love and in time I bet she'll be fine.

She's very lucky to have you, and it's wonderful that you gave her a home. :)
 
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#5
Well, i don't think getting her riled up again, after she finally calms down and is quiet, by praising her and giving her a treat, is such a good idea, we want her to lay down and sleep or at least be quiet at bedtime, one of us has to be up and at work early somtimes.
 
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#6
Does she has a toy that she really likes? Maybe put it in the crate with her? Sadie always has to have her "ducky" in the crate. It's like her baby.

Hang in there, it will get better :)
 
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#7
Sadie'smama said:
Does she has a toy that she really likes? Maybe put it in the crate with her? Sadie always has to have her "ducky" in the crate. It's like her baby.

Hang in there, it will get better :)
the only thing we have for her right now is a bone.
 

Rubylove

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#8
libidinous said:
Well, i don't think getting her riled up again, after she finally calms down and is quiet, by praising her and giving her a treat, is such a good idea, we want her to lay down and sleep or at least be quiet at bedtime, one of us has to be up and at work early somtimes.
I see your point, but you wouldn't be riling her up by giving her a pat, saying `good girl' and giving her a treat. You will be rewarding her good behaviour and teaching her that behaving that way equals reward.

You sound a little as though you have got a dog and don't expect your lives to change at all! Dogs are like babies - they DO change your life, you WILL be tired, you WILL get frustrated. What were the reasons you got a dog in the first place? Because if you think it will all be fun and games you are wrong. They take A LOT of work. However, the rewards are huge and wonderful and well worth the effort you put in. However it is directly related - more effort from you equals more reward in your relationship with your dog. Less effort from you equals more frustration. Its really that simple.

Oh, and a bone is not enough. Dogs are intelligent, interactive animals that need stimulation, toys, games, play and something to keep them occupied. They get bored and frustrated and lonely - and often barking is a symptom of that. Give her something to do, interact with her and be her friend. You wouldn't leave a toddler sitting in a crate or room or yard all day with nothing to do. Exactly the same for your dog.

Honestly, many of the people here (including myself) are trainers and behaviourists, or just as good, people with a ton of experience. These methods work and are widely employed in the dog community. You are getting free advice here! Use it to your advantage :D
 
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#9
Definetly get her more toys. Maybe a tennis ball, some squeeky stuffed animals, rawhides, things like that. The more she is occupied, the better she will be. Sometimes, Sadie is too "wired" up at bedtime, so we take her out in the back yard and run her (she loves for you to pretend your chasing her and her to run circles around you and all over the yard). Then she'll come in, get her a drink and she's ready to crash.
 

smoore

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#10
Barking inside the crate? Hm. Is the crate too large? Crates usually act as the animals' den, not as a prison in their minds. If it's too large (height counts too) they might not get the "comfortable den" feeling. The dog should usually have to duck their head and have their shoulders just slide under the opening without having to crouch to get in. Obv. puppies need a crate they can grow into, you can use something solid and non-toxic to lift the dog closer to the ceiling.

Once she's been with you awhile (a week?), if she continues you may consider placing it so she can see you sleep. This has helped me with nervous puppies who would whine constantly at bedtime. I think they were just anxious that they had been abandoned again and needed to see/smell us.

Hooray for rescuing a dog! Stick with it :)
 
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#11
I have Sadie's crate right beside my bed and when she was little and would whine and whimper, I would stick my hand in the crate and rub on her and it usually calmed her down.
 

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