u/Concerned-Gdaughter

I had a meet and greet with this dog last month and all went well. She got along with my dog and they played and had fun. She had lots of energy and didn't bark at all. I was told she has separation anxiety for the first 1-2 days, is crate-trained and picky about food.

On the first night, she refused to eat her dinner and then she was whining and barking when it was bedtime. I couldn't get much sleep. I ended up sleeping in the closet with her since it's a smaller space and more soundproof. I understand this happens with some dogs especially on their first night, so I did not make a big deal about it.

It is now day 5 of 17. She's more comfortable at night now and sleeps with no issue. She also eats her meals, but only when treats are mixed in. The problem is when she's awake. I can't even hang out in my own living room or kitchen because she would bark at the slightest sound (I live in an apt complex) and sometimes bark at nothing, perhaps for attention or treats. The only safe space is my closet, but I can't stay in there all day! I take her on 45-min walks 3 times per day to hopefully tire her out. This is more walking than what is stated in the schedule that the owners provided and I feel like I'm doing way more than what was expected. I also work from home and I have to make sure she stays quiet during my meetings (luckily she has, but only for a few hours after these 45-min walks.)

I'm going insane. I completely understand if she acts like a complete angel in her own home, so maybe her owners are oblivious to this behavior. I've asked them for tips on calming her down, but apparently they just give her treats after she barks. I want to ask about getting her a bark collar, but I know Rover and some dog owners are against that. What should I do? Help.

Hi Reddit,

My grandma has dementia, and last week my dad and I were responsible for her overnight care. She typically goes to bed around 8:00 PM. We wake her for bathroom breaks at 11:00 PM, 2:00 AM, and 5:00 AM, and she’s usually up for the day around 6:00 AM.

The challenge is that she sometimes wakes up on her own and wanders during the night, which puts her at risk of falling. This has unfortunately happened multiple times before.

To help keep her safe, I set up a camera facing her bed so we can be alerted if she starts moving or tries to get up. The goal is to respond quickly and prevent falls. When I tested it, I noticed she was already getting up on her own at around 1:00 AM and 4:00 AM—times we wouldn’t have otherwise caught.

I’m very aware that this is her private space, and I don’t want to violate her dignity or privacy. At the same time, I see the camera as a safety tool that allows us to care for her more effectively and avoid potentially serious injuries.

Am I thinking about this the wrong way? I’d really appreciate hearing how others have handled similar situations.