Due to some unfortunate circumstances, I acquired an almost 3-year-old Yorkie from a family member about a month ago. She is VERY well trained and is just a wonderful little dog. At night we gate her in the kitchen with her bed and some toys. She does well with this arrangement, but will take to barking incessantly at like 2 or 3 in the morning. If one of us comes down and lets her out, she will grab a toy and want to play. If we ignore her, she will continue to bark for an hour or more straight. How can we get her to understand that 3 am is not play time? Any advice on how to handle this would be wonderful! Thank you!
well barking dogs aren't usually very happy. yorkies love to be with their owners, as so do pretty much any dog who is loved and cared for. anyways, i think i you could maybe try putting her bed beside yours or even on your bed just so she is closer to you. if you don't see and change then maybe you're not letting her out enough. ignore the behavior and try to play with her before you go to bed so she will be tired and want to go to sleep. if you are going to keep her in the kitchen perminantly then here is some advice, maybe she is playing and barking because she sees the toys in her little area and wants you to come play with her. some dogs also just don't sleep well, but don't give up. maybe if you let her out before bed and gave her nothing else until the morning then she will understand that itis bedtime not playtime and outside time. so try my ideas because i've used them with my dog too! :)
Thanks for your suggestions! We do play with her and take her out just before bed, but I will try taking the toys out of the kitchen and see if that makes a difference.
Moving her bed would be a last resort. My bedroom is upstairs, and she isn't allowed upstairs. (She wasn't allowed upstairs in her previous owner's home either, so it it is not new to her.)