I have moved the crate once again to the 11st floor in the kitchen by the slider. Plenty of view to the yard and tv is on for background noise. Hopefully this will help


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Tony, ultimately, I think that will make her infinitely more content. Right now, I think your primary goal is to NOT make any more changes, keep a standard routine so she knows what to expect and learns how to cope with the circumstances.

Incidentally - out of the blue, 2 of the past 3 nights, Ami has suddenly decided he does not want to sleep in the laundry room - wooing, barking (excited stuff, not whining which was puzzling.). After the 2nd night of TWO walks in the middle of the night, I gave up and let him stay in the sunroom after he settled down - he slept all night. However, yesterday morning, I think I discovered what was happening. Using the little bathroom off the laundry room, I heard mouse or chipmunk scratching either in the wall or outside. I'm not sure, but interestingly, the last time, about a week or so ago, that Ami was PIA in the middle of the night, there was a bull in the backyard.

So, what does that have to do with Bandit? There may be some noise or distraction that she is hearing/seeing that you are not aware of...air conditioning unit cycling, water running, shutting off, little animals, insects, wind blowing through a crack or window, a neighbors cat taunting her at window wells...who knows. (For the past 6 days, I have had a gold finch driving me bonkers, tap tap tap at the kitchen bay window )

I still, however, think she really should be out of the crate when you are home. And when at work, crating by that window looks about as good as can be, to me - one of Ami's past times, day or night, is just to lie down in the grass on the lower lawn...just watching the world go by. Sometimes for hours. Which is fine by me - keeps the deer away from both the rhododendrons AND the daylilies

Just remember, make your changes one at a time, let it be for a good while to let her settle in (I'm talking days, not hours), assess her response and then try another, single change if the first is not working. Husband always says it is much more illuminating to change ONE variable at a time.

So I've had a minute to watch most of the video - really does look to me like, besides not wanting to settle down initially, she is getting repeated auditory stimulation (a mower, etc) that possible make her think someone is coming to her rescue.

TOny, I think you are tormenting yourself with these videos - Archer used to wail far more plaintively when I crated him in the shop at night...at least we couldn't hear him in the house and, in the morning, he was well-rested, happy and did not appear psychically damaged.

Perhaps being near the window upstairs, she can see there is no one coming and will tolerate it better. Also - what about a chew toy (NOT something swallowable!)

If after a couple of weeks in the new spot, she does not settle down, you might try covering the crate (while still maintaining ventilation ) to see if that helps. BUt like I said previously - 1 change at a time and wait...

How is she with cats?

I'm how she is with cats. I'm alergic to the hair when it gets in my eyes it itches so much and runny nose. I've never seen her play with toys in the crate. Only when she was about 4 months and that was only for a few mins. Anything soft she eats, no chewing, she will literally way anything soft. Lol What a crazy dog. As for covering the crate if I do it with a blanket she will just pull it in and eat it. I'll try some cardboard boxes in a week or so and see what happens. I'm gonna record the next week and compile a short video and see how it goes. Thurs and Fri I'm off. Sat Sun Mon I work Then on staycation for 13days!!!! I'll be home almost everyday and will have family there as well. So maybe 13 days of dad will help calm her as well. Get her in a new routine

Tony, I wasn't going to intrude here for a while but a comment on Amy's comments ...
'Routine' is not only the timing of the things you do but also the locations and the way you do things. So part of the routine is where Bandit's crate is, what you feed, how much and when. Changing the location of her crate is changin her routine, it's no longer where it was when she's ready to go to it.

Dogs, like most people *do not* like change, anything that alters their routine can produce anxiety.

Never thought of it like that Al. Didn't realize how vital location was.

Time home wll be good to break the cycle that is happening now - yeah, Ami can get a damn comforter cover into his crate. Never figured that one out.

I'm going to go out on a limb, here...
You have a very nice fenced in backyard in what appears to be a safe neighborhood. If, by August, you are not satisfied with Bandit's acceptance of the crate, you might want to consider installing an overhead trolley betweenthe house and the shed. Find a way to secure your fence from outside intruders. You would need a well-designed, dry doghouse, water. Understand that there are risks in leaving a dog outside by themselves. BUt then again, houses burn down, have gas explosions, burglaries (you work for an insurance company - you know risk analysis and management, I assume.) She just may be happier outside than in - I know Ami is.

Also - it may well be that Bandit needs less sleep and more activity than most - I have Ami, Mr. Rug most of the time and then there is Archer - Mr. Perpetual Motion - if he's not playing with Ami, he is trying to wake him up and if he can't engage Ami, he's off checking out the woods, the birds, Grammy and Pa and do they have any treats, digging, you name it. Mr. Trouble. Mr. Perpetual Motion. Always doing something. Like now, into the garbage...

Or, you may have to tolerate her crate abhorrence. As I understand you do come home at lunch break?

cosmothunder wrote:

Never thought of it like that Al. Didn't realize how vital location was.

OK, Mr. Trouble is out of the garbage...

Check out this thread for change of place issues:

https://www.itsahuskything.com/t14857-koda-and-the-terrible-horrible-no-good-day#224290

UPDATE:

I didn't watch the whole video just yet but I felt the need to let everyone know. She was sleeping after about 30mins I left. The new spot seems to of worked. I need to watch the whole video and I'll upload it to but yes I am relieved.

And yes I do come home everyday for a lunch break even if it is just to let her out and all

cosmothunder wrote:

UPDATE:

I didn't watch the whole video just yet but I felt the need to let everyone know. She was sleeping after about 30mins I left. The new spot seems to of worked. I need to watch the whole video and I'll upload it to but yes I am relieved.

And yes I do come home everyday for a lunch break even if it is just to let her out and all

That's good news! Maybe...cross your fingers...your problem is solved!

So I watched the whole video. She only slept for a short while. She wasn't very fussy though which is good. She was staring outside for a while watching things go on. I believe this is gonna be a great spot for her