Sleeping problems
Submitted by nicoleandherbabes on September 13, 2011 - 5:08pmHey guys... So I have a question, but a little background first....
Since we have had dozer, he's been sleeping in our bed with us.. I didnt want it at first ( because if the following reason/ question) but after him crying so much and my husband giving in, he's been in bed since a baby.... When we have had to do thingsover night my parents would watch them... He would struggle with sleeping,, basically like a little kid, he would sit in a spot, and fall asleep sitting up, his head would nod, then he'd wake up like " I wasn't sleeping" type of deal.... It would get to the point that my parents would sleep on the couch with him to help him fall asleep, but he would still be restless... I've tried bringing cloths that I just wore, maybe thinking the smell... His pillow.. Everything.. Were going away the second week in oct for 4 days... So my question being....
Is there anything naturally that we can give him to help him fall asleep, and take that little edge off at night????... I've talked to my vet about it and he wants to give him that ACE stuff, but that makes me nervous,,, if anyone has any ideas I'll take it. I just want it to be easier for everyone all around... Thanks a bunch;)
Nicole.
Nicole and Dozer
You're right to say no to ACE...
someone just lost a bulldog on the other board from it. That being said, you could try Rescue Remedy, we used that on our guys who were afraid of thunderstorms and it really calmed them down. It's all natural and you can buy it at health food stores, Whole Foods, etc. I would put 12 drops directly on their tongue. Another thing you could do short term is give him a benedryl, that puts my guys out when I give it for allergies.
I have to use benedryl for Bella's allergies and it def knocks h
her out. I know alot use with bullies so I assume it won't hurt.. just curious b.c. my parents take bella for me anytime we travel, Bella sleeps in our bed also so my parents always allowed her to sleep in their bed, but it's a queen ( we have king) and they just couldn't stand it after we went to mexico for 9 days.. so last time I brought a bed I have for bella, she def cried for a bit the first night trying to get up on their bed but my mom said they kept saying no and showing her her bed, and she layed down and slept all night and every night after that she went right into her bed...
NO Ace...
absolutely not! Benedryl may calm him down a bit, 1 mg per lb of dog every 6 hours. Zimmer is a restless sleeper at times too. How old is Dozer...he may be adjusting to the new surroundings of sleeping in bed. Try to calm him down by rubbing and petting him when he's near you. it may be that he knows he's not with you, he can sense/smell that. I worry too when we leave Zimmer because it breaks his routine...but they adjust, trust me...easier than the humans do.
Cathy & Zimmer
www.midatlanticbulldogrescue.com
Sleeping
How about a nice looooong walk about 1 hour before bedtime. After arriving home you feed him his normal (big) meal and ignore him.
Sit on the coach and ignore him. Let him sit and "fall asleep", don't interfere, let him lie where he wants, if he gets cold he'll find another spot.
Start this new regime now, so he is used to it. Tell you parents to do the same.
The combination of exercise in the fresh air and a nice big meal, will give your dog sleeep. The ignoring is to get him calm and let him fall asleep out of boredom.
Each time you pet him, or talk to him, he'll has to react to you (and stay awake).
Good Luck,
Ineke and Zorro
Ineke
Yikes! NO ACE!
Super dangerous for bullies. Maybe you could start getting him used to a travel crate (the soft sided ones). That way, he could sleep in the room with your parents - or other sitters - and not be so lonely. Or, you could buy your parents another sofa to put in their room so he can sleep there :)
Are you serious?
Your vet is suggesting Ace so the dog sleeps. That IMO is unethical.
Before you leave why don't you start teaching him to sleep out of your bed and in another room. Is he crate trained?
I hope people with new puppies read your post. It is just one of the reasons why people should teach puppies to learn to sleep in a crate and not in their bed. Besides the fact that a puppy sleeping in a bed that is off the floor can be unsafe.
Dozer is 11 months old.. ..
Dozer is 11 months old.. .. we have tried the benadryl in the past, when they have had over nights with my parents.. it works for like an hour, Dozer is super stubborn. he fights everything we give him.. I like the idea of the natural stuff someone posted in the first few posts. ill have to check my trader joe's see if they carry it.. Dozer and I are super close. for the first month basically i didnt work cause we were snowed in , it was basically him and i all the time., even when i leave for work and the hubby is home, he claims when i leave the room, dozer will wake up and just sit there, like hes waiting for me, but eventually your right after he ignores him he goes right back to sleep.....thanks for the help everyone, i appreciate it. xo
Nicole and Dozer