Dog changing behaviour

[HJT40]

I have a 4 year old lab cross, who from the word go could not be walked off the lead, he would run and run. We live in the country, but with quite a busy country road, which he had escaped on to. We dog proofed the garden with chicken wire so he couldn't get out and built him and his nice puppy friend a kennel and run in the garden. The both sleep in the utility at night with puppy in the crate and the older one in his bed, with a stair gate to stop him wandering.

Yesterday he scaled the 6 foot run and got in to the garden, luckily no further than that.

Last night we got up for them barking and went back to bed. I then heard barking from the cat flap in the living room, he had climbed the stair gate and was barking at nothing in the garden. This went on another couple of times.

On putting him in the kennel this morning he tried to climb out, we have put a fence panel over the run so that he cannot get out. He sat and barked and barked and barked.

Why has he had such a sudden change in behaviour? I did think about re-homing, probably a knee jerk reaction, but if after the measures we have taken to keep him in and safe it is not working, who would be able to look after him.

Any ideas to the behaviour?

[Jemisa]

I think in the vicinity there must be a bitch on heat, and he knows it....

[HJT40]

Thank you Jemisa.

He is neutered, but the pup is not and the pup has not changed at all. We have had a female dog next door for a good few years and it has not bothered him before.

[Jemisa]

Hmmm! its not that then,Something has spooked him,it will probably come to light eventually. Awww! think again about re-homing HJ.

[lankeela]

Could it be foxes in the garden, a cat on heat or hedgehogs, or even something as simple as someone going to work at a different time or coming home late if you have any neighbours. If you cage the pup, why not cage the older one just overnight? If necessary try an antibark collar but a bit of investigation might reveal what is upsetting him. Could have been fireworks - can he see out of a window? Try thicker curtains or putting him in the hallway or somewhere he can't see out.

[ruthann58]

how long have you had the pup could be he is just being naughty cause he is not top dog now the pup has come , if you think its somthing he has heard at night try leaving the radio on,

[DTCwordfan]

how old is the pup? Usually there will be a sort out session to whom is top dog......

agree about trying somewhere very quiet and dark for him to bed down...

[HJT40]

Thank you for your answers. The pup is just over a year old, but definately knows that he is not the boss and he just goes in to his crate, stretches out and that is him done for the night.

We treated him like a child last night, kept putting him back to bed after he climbed over the stair gate - it was like something from supernanny! Not a peep all night, so lots of praise this morning. I did see them chase one of the cats from next door back over the fence, so I will keep my eye out in case that is the cause.

Thanks again!

[shivvy]

Are things getting any better HJT40?

I am only reading your post now, which is a few weeks after you posted it.

I was wondering how much exercise the young fella is getting? You say that he can't be walked off the lead so I am wondering what stimulation and/or exercise he is getting otherwise. If he isn't getting enough exercise or if he isnt using his brain much then he will think of all sorts of things to attract your attention, however if he is tired out he is much less likely to cause bother. I thought that that might be something worth thinking about?

Good luck.