About Penny DiLoreto Expertise As a certified veterinary assistant and a dog breeder, with over 16 years of hands on experience, I am qualified to answer questions in the following categories; General pet health issues, dog grooming, puppy socialization, dog breeding, and basic dog training
Experience In accordance with the Veterinary Assistant program requirmements, I completed 200 hours of intern work under the supervision of a licensed Doctor of Veterinarian Medicine, and volunteered the Escondido Humane Society.
Organizations AKC, ACA, and ABA
Publications I have several articles related to; dog grooming, dog behavior issues, and medical topics, printed on various computer websites and free article content sites. If you would like to preview my articles, links to those sites, and articles, are posted on my website located at www.puppies-dot-com.com
Education/Credentials I have a Certificate of Competency from the San Diego Country Regional Occupational Veterinary Assistant Program, and attained Occupational Competencies in the following categories: Animal Handling and Restraint, Vaccines and Injections, Health and safety, Veterinary Laws/Ethics/Industry Data, Biohazard Waste Disposal Laws, Medicating and Grooming Procedures, Medical Math, Breed Identification, and Parasitological studies.
Awards and Honors I received an Outstanding Student Award for my accomplishments in these studies from the ROP program.
Past/Present Clients A partial listing of my past and current clients can be viewed on my website www.puppies-dot-com.com by clicking on the Testimonial Page.
Expert: Penny DiLoreto Date: 5/29/2008 Subject: MY staffordshire terrior will not sleep
Question I have a dog that is nearly 2 years old. She's been through training and is about to take the canine good citizens test. She has a very normal schedule, involving a morning run, lunchtime play and training and evening play/training. Her diet is normal and no edibles or water after 9. She gets very tired when we want to go to bed and sleeps right until we're about to hit the REM cycle of sleep. She must have a sensor for it. She then crawls into my bed, pushes and walks all over us (literally) until we're awake. She'll go back to her bed momentarily and then comes back up and pokes/lays on my legs in the oddest and most uncomfortable posture. I've tried crating her ( she loves it when we're awake, especially when making dinner) and leaving her bed outside of my room, but she howls all night( really pitiful mournful stuff). She is in fine health according to the vet, but mine is seriously suffering from lack of rest. I'm miserable. What can I do?
Answer Hi Teather. If possible, put her crate in a room (other than yours) and close the door so that you can not hear her pitiful moans. If all else fails, and If you have a garage, purchase a space heater (for chilly nights) and put her crate in the garage until she learns that you will not come get her out until morning.
It is very important that you hold firm (tough love) and do not give in when you hear her cry. I have known people who actually taught their dog to cry all night, by doing the following:
First Night - The dog cries for 10 minutes before the owner gives in and lets her out of her crate.
Second Night - The dog cries for 20 minutes before being let out of the crate.
Third Night - The dogs cries for 40 minutes before being let out.
And so on and so on until the dog has learned to cry all night long.
Good luck and please do not hesitate to contact me if I can be of further assistance. Sincerely, Penny D.
