NEW POODLE PUPPY BARKING AT NIGHT

Question
DEAR KATHRYN,
           THREE DAY AGO I GOT A NEW POODLE PUPPY.HE'S EXACTLY THREE MONTHS OLD AND I GOT HIM FROM A  PET STORE (IF THAT MAKES A DIFFERENCE). i PRESENTLY HAVE ANOTHER DOG AS WELL, A FOUR YEAR OLD TERRIER MIX (HE'S 24 LBS). ANYWAY MY NEW PUPPY IS GREAT, HE JUST GOT HIS EXAM AND GOT A CLEAN BILL OF HEALTH, BUT, hE BARKS AT NIGHT WHEN WE GO TO SLEEP. WE KEEP HIS AT NIGHT AND WHEN WE GO TO WORK IN OUR MASTER BEDROOMS BATHROOM WHERE HE HAS HIS OWN BED, TOYS, NEWSPAPERS TO ELIMINATE ON AND HIS FOOD AND WATER. wE SECTION IT OFF WITH A BABY GATE THAT HE CAN SEE THRU. oUR BED IS ONLY THREE FEET AWAY FROM THE BATHROOM WHERE HE CAN SEE US BUT HE CRYS AND BARKS VERY VERY LOUD, WHAT CAN I DO, I LIVE IN A CONDO AND AM AFRAID MY NEIGHBOOR WILL COMPLAIN, AND THEY WILL WE HAVE MANY CONDO COMMANDERS HERE. mY HUSBAND IS ALSO GETTING VERY TIRED OF THIS AS WELL. eVERY THIME i'M NOT HOLDING HIM HE CRYS WHIMPERS AND BARKS VERY LOUDLY. aNY SUGGESTIONS WOULD BE HELPFUL

                        THANK YOU
                            CRISSY CARADONNA

Answer
You might want to try getting an old fashioned alarm clock - one that ticks.  Put it in his bed.  The ticking often is comforting to pups who have been separated from their mom.  Sleeping alone is probably scary for him.  

As for the daytime barking there are a couple of things that might work.  ONe is to get a spray bottle and when he barks inappropriately, say "no" the same time you spritz his face with the water.  When he stops, praise him to the skies nd give him a training treat.  Training treats are smaller than most treats - you can get them at most pet stores.  Praise seems to work better than negative reinforcement......but used together it can work.  Just make the praise longer than the punishment (i.e. the water). If not water, getting some pennies and putting them in an empty can (from soda or whatever) and shaking it when he does something inappropriate sometimes works.  If he stops whatever he's doing, again praise him.  

As for what sounds like separation anxiety.  This may sound wierd, but can you move a television near him? Maybe turning on the animal planet or nickelodeon or some television channel with lots of animals or much motion may keep him entertained.  HE may be very bored left alone all day.  

Another thing you might check out is a petsitter, who can come visit during the day to break up the dog's day.  We have an actual "Doggie Day Care" here - kinda like kid's day care. It isn't cheap but it also tires out the dogs during the day with activity.  A friend of mine uses it and says that when they come home, they just crash and stay that way :)

You might also want to see about obedience classes with him.  IT would give you something to do together and give him something to work on to keep his mind busy.

I wish you luck with your pup.  

Warmly,

Kathryn