Hi - I posted the query below a couple of months ago (and thank you to all who replied).  We had him checked out at the vet and he got a full bill of health.  He was then absolutely fine.  He then had to go into the kennels for nearly three week as my father died and we had to go down south.  He is usually perfectly okay at the kennels and they didn't report anything unusual (although obviously they don't see him at night).  He was, again, absolutely fine when he came home 10 days ago and was his usual self.  But, on Sunday night, my husband let him out for his last wee, he was in the kitchen (as he usually is) and then the whining and barking started.  I ended up on the sofa downstairs and he settled down quite quickly and slept all night (unlike me!).  OK the next night.  Last night, again whining, but we left him in the kitchen and after about an hour and a half he settled (although I didn't get to sleep for ages, listening for him to start up again).  I know this is only a couple of nights, but OH is an A&E doctor, and a lack of sleep is not very helpful ...  and I am getting worked up about whether he (the dog, that is) is going to go to sleep at night or not.  One thing I didn't mention is that he is at home with me all day as I am on crutches awaiting a second hip operation and am off work.  Usually (although not for the last five months), I am at work three days (coming home at lunch-time) and at home the other four days of the week.  Although I go to bed first and its my husband who puts him to bed.  We have tried "Anxiety" drops (some sort of homeopathic drops), but I've not tried the DAP collar yet as am a bit concerned whether this would have to be a permanent thing.  There really doesn't seem to be any trigger to his that we can identify.  Any advice or help would be greatly appreciated.

"Hi, I wonder if anyone can help with this.  We have a four year old male, neutered Golden Retriever.  He is a wonderful dog, well behaved (mostly!), friendly to all people and dogs.  The only two things he appears to be wary of are brown wheelie bins as one nearly blew over on him a couple of years ago (wary on walks, fine with ours outside the kitchen), and when the window cleaner comes (who has one of those tanks in the back of his car that supply the brushes with water) he shivers and hides.  However, over the past eight months or so, he has on half a dozen or so occasions been very anxious when he (and us) have gone up to bed.  His normal routine is dinner at 5pm, walk for all his "business" at around 8pm, and then a last wee in the garden at about 11pm, then up to bed.  He sleeps on the landing and 90% of the time goes straight to sleep and nothing will wake him until we get up in the morning - even if either of us get up in the night, he still doesn't stir.  However, last night was one of the worst.  He goes to bed as usual and then about 15 mins after we are both in bed, he starts pacing, panting and whining.  There doesn't seem to be anything particular to trigger this and he can go for weeks without it happening.  However, he will not settle and I then get up and take him downstairs (my husband has to get up early for work).  He is panting fast and is very clingy.  I sit up with him, stroking his chest (this usually calms him down if he is excited etc) and last night it took until 1/4 to 2 until he settled down in the lounge and slept (with me on sofa).  I went up to bed at 4am and he followed to the landing and went to sleep.  This morning he is still very clingy on his walk (this never usually happens) and the same in the house.  He ate his breakfast fine and doesn't appear to be in any pain.  I've checked his mouth and paws which seem to be ok.  He's at my feet now asleep.  This might sound trivial (?) but it is worrisome when it happens, especially the fast panting as he is usually such a laid-back dog.  Anybody had anything similar?  With many thanks."

Have you tried leaving a night light on for him? Failing that, if he was mine I would just give in and let him sleep in my room! :)

The kitchen is quite light at night - easy enough to walk around without having to put a light on.  Not sure husband would approve of sleeping in room!

I have been thinking a bit more about this, just wondering- does he spend all day in with you or do you give him some time on his own in another room?

I have a young Golden, nearly four and the more time I am with her, the more 'clingy' she becomes. They do so love to be close to their special person and can need some training on spending time in another room!  Another thought, you say your OH puts him to bed, how about you doing this instead, perhaps he is worried you have gone out!

My girl sleeps in my room mostly, but being a widow, I only have myself to consider! :) I do chop and change a bit so that she will sleep elsewhere, as I think should I be unable to have her with me, it wouldn't be fair to her.

Hi there, I remember your previous post and I think I replied to it. Assuming that he has no medical issues, it does sound to me like he is a typical sensitive golden retriever. The more attention you give him, the more clingy he will get, a bit like miles and food I guess!! Also you do say that you are affected when he shows signs of being anxious. He will pick up on this. He will also become reliant on physical contact from you to calm down so I'd suggest just sitting with him and reading a book or doing a puzzle while waiting for him to settle himself rather than stroking him as you described. Also you say that you are awaiting an op and so you are home more often. Perhaps he is also picking up on your discomfort? His routine has been put out of sorts so it might help to keep a good structure to his day, so that he feels secure, some dogs really need that routine in their lives and I definitely noticed that with my goldens. Even though you are at home, don't let him follow you around. Maintain a similar routine as to when you were at work, so a midday toilet break and game, and then he goes back to bed until the next doggy session etc. Finally, is it possible that he needs some more exercise to get him tired out at night time? You are on crutches so this might be a challenge for you! But a tired dog usually is an easily settled dog.

Hi shivj and bestdogs

I think you are both right - I have been at home (apart from the three weeks down south mentioned) ALL THE TIME for the past five months.  Although I am not in any particular discomfort (thankfully), Oscar's routine has really gone to pot, apart from the evenings when my husband comes home and things are "normal".  I will definitely start to put some structure into his day, perhaps putting him in another room for a while - I never really thought about this as he isn't a particularly "clingy" dog, just likes to be with you like most goldens.  He gets his two walks a day with my husband but, as you've guessed, nothing much in that way from me at the moment.  Unfortunately, I will be on crutches for about another 6 months or so, so I need to get him into some sort of routine.  Thanks very much for the advice.

Is it worth doing a bit more brain training with him too, so rather than sitting and having a cuddle with you he has to maybe work a bit (maybe in a down stay on his bed - helps teach him to settle).  Maybe a bit of sniffing out food that you have hidden (start with scattering on the floor) that way although he maybe is not getting as much exercise his brain will be tired and he will be more chilled out

Bit of long shot as he's been neutered but is there any chance he is smelling a bitch in season??? You said he can go for weeks without doing it which might explain.
I have two neutered dogs but when my bitches were in season they were still a bit interested by them, one would do 'air sex' on my springer when she laid down!!! He is a small terrier.😃

Hi thanks.  I do do some play with him, mainly putting treats in a bone that has those hidden bits for him to work and find them.  Also, when the weather is dry, "fetch" in the garden.  He doesn't actually have a bed as he has eaten/destroyed all the material beds we have bought him and he doesn't like the hard plastic one from Pets at Home.  We are saving up for an Orvis tough chew, but at about £250 this would be a very expensive mistake if he chewed that as well.  Its odd, because he doesn't chew furniture, cushions or anything else (apart from chews etc), he's been very good like that.

Don't know if my two like their hard plastic bed or not.  That's where they sleep though ;)  I would maybe think along the lines of teaching him some tricks and brainwork rather than just games

Have heard good reports from this one - http://www.tuffies.co.uk/dog-beds.asp#chewproof, which is cheaper than Orvis (I think a lot of money goes into shipping & import charges).  The Tuffie one has a money back guarantee.  I have the Tuffie nest which is really great - but I have a non-chewer.

Thanks for the tuffie link - I am going to measure up as Oscar's a big retriever (38 kg) - not fat I hasten to add, just a big lad!

Update on my anxious golden.  After a week with little sleep, we put the DAP collar on him on Friday morning.  I gave him a blanket to sit on in the lounge and then at bedtime, took this up to our bedroom for him to sleep on (I hoped).  He came up to bed with me, nice and calm (OH was on a late shift at work and would not come back until about 12.30am).  He settled on his blanket and there was  no whining, panting etc.  When OH came in, Oscar was asleep.  I woke a couple of times (with my hip problem at the moment, I often wake up if I shift about) and on waiting to go back to sleep heard Oscar shuffle around a bit, but (unlike the other nights) no whining and he went back to sleep (this happened two or three times).  So I guess the DAP collar works - we shall see if the same thing happens tonight ...   Our vet is still referring us to the behaviourist (Sarah Heath, who lives locally, I believe she is very good) as I would like to understand what's going on and not simply use the DAP to mask the problem, but at least its gotten us a good night's sleep!  Thank you everyone for all the bits of advice.

I have never used a DAP so I don't have experience of how effective they are, but I'm willing to bet he loved sleeping in your room!!! :)

Good you are getting some sleep.

Yes, I think he does.  Not quite so good last night.  OH got back 1.30am - Oscar fine.  About 4am he decided to wake up and jumped (to kiss???) my husband's sleeping face - not good.  Then before we had a chance to get back to sleep A&E phoned so he had to go back into work.  Dog fine for the rest of the night until I got up at ten to seven (as husband arrived home).  Husband in bed trying to get some sleep before going back there his afternoon (and possibly getting called back in at night), dog snoozing next to me in study.  I really hope this behaviour lady has some ideas as I am running out of them.