Barking and Scratching Door at Nighttime

[Dowlingca]

Hi just fostered Jet and when we left him last night he was scratching at the door and barking most of the night, I was going to try putting him into the crate tonight with a hot water bottle and blankets to make him maybe feel more secure. Can anyone let me know if you have had similar problems and how you got over them, as I am not sure whether I should keep coming down or to ignore it.

[justineemoe]

I learned from a trainer that a good way to deal with this problem is to approach the opposite side of the door quietly, phone book in hand. When the dog is barking bang your side of the door loudly with the phone book, swing the book at the door and give it a good clatter. The dog gets a fright and the barking stops immediately. If the dog starts barking again a couple of minutes later immediately bang the door again – works a treat. One or two bangs usually does the trick. It’s important that the dog can’t see you however – then he associates you with the fright and that’s not good. So the door must be solid wood or have a curtain in front of it.

[skymoon]

Firstly, how long has Jet been with you? And how long has the night time barking gone on? I would go with your original idea with the crate, as the banging at the door could go either way. The bang might get him quiet, but might also initiate more barking, but either or it will scare him. And do you really want to scare your dog to be quiet?

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