[RachH]

We adopted a chihuahua, Barney, from a rescue two weeks ago. He is four years old and was being looked after by a fosterer, who let him sleep in her daughter's bedroom. Bad move! I don't like dogs upstairs, let alone in the bedroom.
I already have a 12 year old chihuahua, Charlie, and thought the company would be good for him.
We have degus and they are kept in the living room so we thought both dogs would sleep in the kitchen. The first night we put their beds in the kitchen, I thought with Charlie being there for company that Barney would be ok.
Unfortunately I was wrong, he barked and cried and made so much noise we were awake most of the night. I am led to believe you do not go downstairs to a crying, barking dog, that they will eventually fall asleep. He didn't. He started scratching at the door and making even more noise! He calmed slightly the following night but that wasn't much better.
He has cried, barked and scratched at the door each night ever since. We tried him in a crate one night, he did not shut up ALL night. So we have not tried that since.
We are also finding he has a sore snout, a wet face and wet paws on a morning as if he has been rubbing his snout against where he has been scratching the door. I'm at a loss as to what to do.
During the day he is the most loving little dog, there are one or two areas which need work, ie his recall, but that's not a problem, I can do that. I don't work and so am around pretty much all day. He has no problem sleeping anywhere downstairs during the day!
I don't know if it's separation anxiety as he could squeeze under the gate and dash off up the road when he first arrived, so he wasn't too worried then! We have since blocked that escape route off!
I really do not want the dogs upstairs, let alone in the bedroom so I need some advice on how to progress with this. Can anyone help please?
Thank you.

 

[Tess]

He is certainly anxious about being separated from you. Yes, that is separation anxiety.

So you have a choice.
Let him sleep upstairs with you.

Or

Endure his crying until he either gives up, or has a nervous breakdown. Considering he has not settled in two weeks, it appears the "wait it out" technique is not going to work.


Understand that for him, from his perspective, he feels extreme distress all night long. He is truly suffering.... even more than you are suffering from lack of sleep.

My advice is have mercy on him.

 

[bgmacaw]

I don't like dogs upstairs, let alone in the bedroom.
.........
I really do not want the dogs upstairs, let alone in the bedroom so I need some advice on how to progress with this.

To be blunt, maybe you shouldn't have a chihuahua, especially not this one. Chi's thrive on being close to their owners at all times and when deprived of that level of closeness they'll tend to develop undesirable, fear based, behaviors. Not all will, but most will.

If you don't want your dog around you all the time, consider a more aloof breed of dog. As for this situation, your choice is to return the dog to the rescue or to drive the dog crazy with anxiety and fear.

 

[RachH]

Thank you for your comments. We have solved the problem without allowing him in the bedroom.
I have had chihuahuas for over 12 years and haven't ever let them sleep in the bedroom. And they have all been calm and good at night.
I know Barney is a rescue dog and does need some special concessions and we are taking that into consideration but not allowing him to rule the roost.

 

[Dayan itani]

Thank you for your comments. We have solved the problem without allowing him in the bedroom.
I have had chihuahuas for over 12 years and haven't ever let them sleep in the bedroom. And they have all been calm and good at night.
I know Barney is a rescue dog and does need some special concessions and we are taking that into consideration but not allowing him to rule the roost.

How did you solve it ?? I am living the same condition with my new dog