Weird crate behaviour

[AllieMackie]

For the past week and a bit, Finn's developed a weird, annoying habit when I crate him for the night.

He barks at every. Little. Noise.

Matt stays up late every night (his desk is in he rec room where the crate is), and in the past week, every noise sets Finn off barking. The cat walking by. Matt putting down a glass or shifting in his chair. Almost anything. And apparently when he isn't barking, he's standing poised like he's ready to bark at something.

I'm baffled. He's crated while I work during the day and he doesn't do this. He doesn't do it if he's crated for any other reasons. Matt and I were brainstorming and we can't think of anything that has changed in the household or anything that might have prompted this sudden change. He has no problems entering his crate at night, and has been tired at night (so it isn't pent-up energy).

Any thoughts or suggestions? I can offer more info if need be. I'm just confused as to why he's doing this. We're getting a new roommate on Saturday and his room is right above the rec room... so I'd like to at least start working on this problem ASAP. Matt hasn't been correcting him, he's simply ignored him because we aren't sure what the best plan of action is.

 

[MicksMom]

Hhmm. Going out on a limb here- maybe Finn thinks he needs to be "on duty" at night? Can you move his crate to another room? It could be that a "change of scenery" will stop the barking.

 

[AllieMackie]

Hhmm. Going out on a limb here- maybe Finn thinks he needs to be "on duty" at night? Can you move his crate to another room? It could be that a "change of scenery" will stop the barking.

It's a thought I've pondered as well - the only question is where to move the crate. It's in an ideal place right now, and in terms of places that are more quiet, it doesn't get much quieter than the basement rec room at night.

It's worth a try. I may even set up his plastic crate somewhere for a more secluded sleeping area, and use his wire crate for crating otherwise. I don't know.

 

[Taqroy]

You can try covering his crate. This hasn't worked on ANY of my dogs but I've heard of it working...lol. Other than that I have no idea.

 

[milos_mommy]

Milo also does this at night...he's not crated, though.

He usually doesn't do it after everyone (and he) falls asleep. But when we're winding down, after dark, every time someone opens a door, makes a noise, etc., he starts. He stops once he checks out what's made the noise, or I tell him to "hush".

Does he bark all night long? Or only as he's crated and Matt's still awake?

 

[Maura]

Can you put him in your bedroom? If he doesn't really need the crate you can throw down and old towel or a nice bed for him next to your bed. I agree he may feel that he is on duty, but with you sleeping he will settle down and go to sleep (assuming he's had enough exercise).

 

[AllieMackie]

He's pretty much "on alert" all night. Matt's usually up all night. Putting him in the bedroom is out of the question, but I may try moving his crate into another room. I just need to figure out where.