Ok, dog experts advice please!

[matthew]

My friend has a rescue bitch who she has had for a few years now. She had a few issues when she arrived and used to spin and urinate on beds, run away shaking when you called her etc etc. Well, that is all a thing of the past now and she is a settled lovely dog except.
They got a cat about 6 months ago and although they get on great, play in the garden together etc, the cat being outside at night is upsetting the dog. She barks throughout the night which is obviously very annoying. She seemed to favour the spare bedroom so they let her sleep in there at night which stopped the barking for a while. However, for the past few months the barking has started again.
Any idea's? They have tried one of those collars with the high pitched noise but it has no effect. .. My mum who actually knows nothing about dogs sugested staying up one night behind the door any spraying her with water every time she barked- do you think this would have any effect?
The problem is that if this doesn't stop her mum is threatening to return the dog so obviously my friend is desperate for a solution..help !

 

[skinnydogs]

Keep the cat in

 

[MarleyandDarcy]

I wouldn't bother wasting a night spraying water at her - as you'd have to do it at least every other night to make it effective. It might stop her that night but when she tests it out the next night and nothing happens she will merrily go on her way barking all night again.
If the dog and cat are close - which I'm guessing they are as they play in the garden together then I am guessing as far as the dog is concerned the cat is part of the pack and therefore the pack is split up at night as she can not stay with the cat. Which is why she is barking as she is anxious to stay with 'her pack'.
Bear in mind as a rescue dog some do latch onto an available friend and want to be near them as much as possible due to their own insecurities.
I'd say the only way to stop the barking is to keep the cat in.
I think it'd be very sad if they returned the poor rescue dog

 

[matthew]

Exactly- the dog was there first for god sake! Don't know much about cats to be honest but I suppose keeping the cat in at night could be an option.
I agree about the pack thing, she latches on to their other dog as well so that doesn't suprise me- she tries to mother everything!

 

[Lucy_Nottingham]

ye sounds like cat in would be the best bet, if they get on so well I doubt the cat would mind too much (they generally adjust to situations) so maybe give that ago, just remember cats often are more activate at night, which might mean dog will want to be active with her!!!

 

[Oneofthepack]

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Keep the cat in

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Quite! Where does this idea come from that cats should be left out at night? Mine has a cat flap and comes and goes as he pleases but I would rather shut him IN that out. The dogs barking 'cos his mate's outside!

 

[matthew]

I have spoken to her and the cat is now in most of the night. The dog is now barking even when the cat is in......the dog want to be next to the cat all the time but obviously the cat likes to wander around the house at night!

 

[Oneofthepack]

Sounds like typical seperation anxiety but aimed at her cat not her humans. Mine have never suffered from it so no expert on how to cure it. Slowly reduce the amount of time she spends with the cat during the day and give her treat balls etc instead?

 

[KarynK]

It might be a good idea to contact the resuce where she came from, any worth their salt will have access to experts that evaluate temperament and work with the rehab and placement of difficult cases. They should have records of her initial assesment and with that knowledge they might be able to quickly get to the route of the problem and find a good solution.

It is always difficult with rescue cases as you often do not know the background, but they should be able to help before she ends up back with them!