Expert: Have4Paws - 1/10/2011

Question
My husband and I recently adopted a beagle from a local shelter, the only history we have on him was that he is approximately 5 years old, is neutered, had been someone's pet at one time because he knows basic commands and was mostly housebroken, and had been a stray for an unknown amount of time.  We are assuming he was abused by a previous (male) owner because he cowers if someone raises his/her voice and is very protective of me if he is laying in my lap and my husband enters the room.  We have managed to combat the growling behavior, and have accomplished some other training goals (staying off the couch, etc) with much success.  However, we have a problem with our pup at night.

Due to a suggestion at the shelter, we are crate training Taser.  He appears to like it, as he enjoys spending time playing with his crate toys (he is only crated at night or while we leave the house as we still don't trust him 100% on his own).  At first, Taser did okay at night and slept peacefully.  After approximately 3 weeks of "good" behavior, he began whining and shaking his crate at night.  We did some research, thought he might be having separation anxiety at night (he follows us from room to room throughout the day, and would quit the whining at night once someone else entered the room and he could see them) and moved his crate to our bedroom.  This seemed to help for awhile, but he has started acting out again at night, this time with different behaviors.  This time he is panting uncontrollably, almost like a person might be hyperventilating.  He has access to water at night, and the temperature is controlled, so that isn't the issue.  Taser also will whine and whine...only stopping for a minute or two if you say something to him.  He isn't hungry or thirsty, doesn't need to go to the bathroom, and is spoiled rotten.  We have tried everything we can think of, but still aren't able to sleep through the night.  The whining and panting stops if we allow him out of his crate, but once he's out he wants attention, just wants to play and doesn't want to go to sleep at all.  He's got plenty to keep him occupied in his crate, so boredom shouldn't be an issue either. We've tried ignoring his behavior, but after several hours he has not calmed down.  We've tried giving him attention hoping he would go back to sleep after some pets, but that hasn't worked either.  When he keeps us up during the night we keep him up as much as possible the next day hoping to tire him out, but all that happens is no one is getting any sleep in our house!  Walks, and play time do not tire Taser out enough to let us sleep in peace.  

Do you have any suggestions for breaking Taser of his bad behavior? It doesn't seem to be the crate that gets him all worked up because he's absolutely fine in it during the day (he will occasionally go in the crate if we have company over for dinner).  We're desperate and will try anything if we can just sleep through the night again :)

Answer
Hi, well kudos to you for taking in a shelter dog! That is wonderful. Sounds like you have already done a lot with him and are pretty attached and visa versa.

Here is the issue though, everytime you talk to him in the crate and he stops for a minute or you let him out and he stops you have reinforced that this behavior will get him what he wants, attention. I know it isnt on purpose but you have now inadvertantly reinforced the behavior. So why shouldn't he continue to do it, it works! Remember that dogs have very basic brains, if I do this and this happens then I should continue to do that.  If you are absolutely sure that he has no needs that need attended to then the only thing you can do is ignore the behavior. If this isnt possible when he is in your room because of the noise then he can't be in your room. This is manipulative behavior and must be completely ignored. Which reminds me that the possessive behavior he shows on your lap when your husband comes in is also not ok. If he gets physical touch from that behavior or you scold him that too is reinforcing it.

I would put his crate in the kitchen or somewhere and completely ignore it, do not answer him, talk to him or let him see you. Every time he gets one of those responses his brain tells him, Oh that worked! With the stuff on your lap as soon as he begins to stiffen his body which comes prior to the  growling he should be put down on the ground and ignored including turning your back on him and leaving the room. Because he isnt able to reason like a human he can't extrapolate the messages he is getting. He can only go by sight, sound, touch.

I personally don't use crates because I feel that it inhibits teaching good boundaries in the home, I prefer to teach them from the outset the right way to behave and in the beginning you accomplish this by keeping them leashed to you at all times. But if you are going to crate train him then you will have to learn to ignore attention seeking behavior. The crate should also NEVER be used for punishment after supposedly doing something wrong. It is only to be a safe haven, a place of comfort and relaxation.

Hoep this info is helpful! Feel free to contact me back with further questions!