Expert: Kaza - 11/18/2010

Question
Hi, I have a Bichon Frise who will be 4 on Christmas eve.. she is brilliant and don't have many problems with her apart from where i go she goes.... She is Crate trained and enjoys her own space, I also cover this with a blanket, she has started to wake me 3-4 times through the night, not for the toilet but to see me.. she crys none stop till i get up... I have tried getting up and doing the toilet duty and going back to bed but she will have none of it... she wants to be with me... I hope you can help as i feel very much like a zombie as just need a nights sleep...
Also she seems to drag her bottom on the carpet quite allot, she has her anal glands emptied when needed, is there anything i can do to help her with this as sometimes she bites it till its very sore...
please help

Answer
Hi Mandy
Bichons that live on a high dry diet tend to suffer with anal gland issues, it is likely this causing her to wake as she is in some discomfort (unless of course she like mine is rather spoilt)

For two days per week your dog should have in its diet the following , choose a selection but dont give all in one day as this will lean to obesity and there is nothing more sad than a fat bichon.

Apple slices, pear, green beans, carrot batons, mashed potatoes, small amounts of spinach, garden peas, butternut squash, melon, banana, cucumber, oily fish, tinned salmon, fresh meat , goats milk cheese, probiotic goats milk yoghurt.

When she wakes ignore her unless of course she is in pain.

Hope this helps

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