New Bad Behavior (DH not helping)

[stampingrace]

Hey all - sorry this is long but my questions are at the bottom.

Basil (boxer, neutered male, 3 years old) has taken to a new behavior which is causing strife. I will start by saying he is usually very well-behaved, especially with me (I'm the alpha). I'm admitting our own bad behavior here too

So, Basil always wakes my DH in the middle of the night to go potty, always has. I don't normally get up b/c I would have taught the dog to hold it (barring any emergency). In the past, Basil has always gone outside off leash (we have a mostly fenced yard in the country), done his business, and come right back in. DH doesn't get it but there are other dogs, shotguns, furry and not-so-furry woodland creatures, and nasty stuff he could get in to.

But, the past three nights, he's taken to running off and being gone for 20-40 minutes. I didn't know the first night it happened but DH left the back door open then feel asleep on the couch (grr). But these past two nights, I've had to go out searching for him. I call and whistle but he's returning slowly.

I told DH to put him on leash and walk him around the yard if Basil was doing this. Basil will quickly figure it out and the behavior will go away but DH doesn't want to (grrr). I suggested DH show Basil yummy treats, tell him to "go potty" (yes, he knows the command) then give the treat. I think it would stop him from running off.

Anyway...what do you think could be cause of this change in behavior? I figure there's something good to eat or some female good to "do", although his whats-its were removed at 4 months old.

Any tips on how we can correct it? Am I in line with the leash idea? It's a pain but its just not safe for him to run around outside.

[pmari3]

I would eliminate the middle of the night bathroom activity altogether if I were you. Assuming of course he doesn't have a medical condition that requires the nighttime visit. I'd make sure he went out directly before I went to bed - making sure he does pee and poo and then he should be good through the night. I'm sure it would take him a few nights to get used to the new routine but it wouldn't give him the opportunity to wander.

[Queenmum]

I too would eliminate the middle of the night stroll! Both my pups hold it from around 10 til at least 6 in the morning. I usually have to bribe them to go out in the morning. They get way too snuggly in bed. Physically, most dogs can handle that long without relief.

[Jelly]

I must admit that I was the one who used to get up in the night with our two. They woulnd't let my hubby take them, it had to be me. When I was away on business the dogs wouldn't even try to wake him!!!

So any who- I have now eliminated that little trip at night. I make sure that I take them just before bed and then first thing when I wake up. My dogs are 5 and 2 and it took maybe two weeks of saying- go back to sleep before they stopped waking me.

[Cami]

If you don't want to or feel you can't eliminate the middle of the night potty your DH MUST leash your dog when these outings occur. No if and or buts! You could lose your dog or he could be injured. You mentioned yourself some of the instances and situations that he could face while out.
No offense but this is a no-brainer! If your hubby wants to continue getting up in the middle of the night that is fine however he has to leash the dog. He can make the trip out and witness that business has been taken care of and then return to bed quicker!
I couldn't imagine hearing my DH get up and going out with the dog and me NOT getting up to make sure all was safe (under these circumstances). I would be one PO'ed woman come morning since I love my sleep!
Talk it over with him and make him see the error of his ways!
Good-Luck!

[Zoeys_Mom]

I just wanted to suggest limiting water for about an hour to 2 hours before bed depending on his activity level. I find that with my Zoey if we go to bed at 10, and I stop water at 8-830, she will make it all night nice and dry. If I forget to pick her water up, or she finds the cat water, or drinks from her pool outside, then she has a wet bed in the morning (she is crated over night). So maybe as a way to begin eliminating the overnight potty breaks you can limit water in the evenings. Otherwise, I'd say he has to be leashed for his outtings. Good luck.

[tessa-leader]

taking away the waer also helped with my tessa. when we brought her home we had overnight breaks around 3am. i started taking the water away around 9 and go to bed at midnight. no more potty breaks and then after about a week i didn't even need to take away the water. after a few trips in the middle of the night it becomes a habit for them.

andrea

[Simmons99]

My puppy (less than 4 months) holds it from 9:30-5am - without taking water away ~ so it will probably be possible with an adult.