My mum and dad are on holiday and I have their ten month old toy poodle staying.  Although she lives with them, she is really the 'family' dog and spends a lot of time with me at my house as well as being trained by me ... I guess, what I'm trying to say is that she's used to being with me and my hubby in our home, so it's not strange to her and she has stayed with us overnight before.

Last night was the first night of her two week holiday and she kept us up the whole night.  She sleeps on the bed (I know she probably shouldn't, but that's where she sleeps :rolleyes: ) and she spent the whole night jumping on and off the bed, running up and down the bed, barking at things outside, licking us, wanting out and just generally being a nuisance and not letting anyone get any sleep.

Has anyone got any suggestions of how I can get her to settle?  I've thought about locking her in the kitchen with her own bed, but we live in a small bungalow and if she spends the whole night crying (which she probably will) she'll still keep us awake cos we'll hear every sob.

Please help before I end up divorced as OH is not as tolerant as I am.

I'm certainly no expert, so just trying to offer support really...but does she usually sleep on Mum & Dads bed? If not, then she could just be extra excited at this 'treat'. Also, I always find extra/longer walks, games of tuggy and a particularly difficult 'Kong' helps to knock my girl out for the night, when she's distracted with overnight visitors etc. As it is yourselves that are training her...perhaps you could try extending these sessions while she's settling in too, as I find training sessions tire out my hound far more than the longer walks :) Anyway, just some thoughts. Sure others will have more ideas that will assist you in obtaining a decent nights sleep
Jo
:)

Thanks Jo.  Unfortunately she does sleep on my mum and dad's bed so they are the ones to blame for this I think ... and if the situation doesn't improve quickly they will certainly be told so on their return from holiday!  :D  I will definitely try your suggestions.  I was planning on taking her a long walk last night, but due to the torential rain we didn't go.

So thats OK then... its not as if she's not used to sleeping on the bed then. In which case, I'd definately try and 'zonk' her out with activities before bedtime....in a few days, she might not need so much activity as she gets used to your routine *fingers crossed for you anyway* :D :D
Jo
:)

I thought so too, but we had been playing with her toys for ages before we went to bed.  I was certainly exhausted by bed time, even if she wasn't!

I think it's probably a bit of perserverence as things might just be a bit exciting the first day or two.  Does she have a bed on the floor of your room as well - that way she can have the choice of which one to sleep in?

Wendy

Thanks all, I've now just about managed to have two nights sleep.  I say just about, as for some reasons Roxy seems to need out in the middle of the night and apart from her riggling it's not too bad.  :)

Wendy, I have put her bed on the floor beside me, but she seems to like ours more.

Get Roxy to use her brain before you go to bed at night. This should wear her out more than just exercise. So, get her to find things, do bits of training with her ie: recalls, heelwork, retrieve etc. Not just lots of walking. Also is she hearing something you can't hear? There are a lot of foxes around and hedgehogs, so she could be disturbed by their noises. So, just tell her to settle down and hopefully she will get used to things in a different house. :-)