by: Rita Rail

When I read your question and you said it was the female pom having the problem, it did not surprise me. My little female pom, Emily acts like your barking dog. Yours is showing you her dominant nature. She is barking in your daughter’s room because she is now guarding that room and your daughter. Putting her in the boot room is not a solution as per my experience with my Emily. First of all, the kennel must be made to resemble a den with a covering all over it except for the front entrance. I usually have some large doggie blankets or old bath towels, whatever will fit to cover it. In the summer time, I always put lighter coverings on because of the heat. This gives the animal a sense of security as in a den. You must also have a nice warm feeling blanket to cover them before you close the kennel door. Try this with both of them and if the male accepts this, then leave him there. I promise you, the female will not. Emily was in a kennel in my room also and she began whining and barking and there was no end to her.

so, I tried the next best thing, I took her in bed with me, wrapped her blanket on top of her and she curled into a ball and has no problem sleeping since then. After a time, I was able to get her to sleep at the foot of the bed wrapped in her blanket during our winter days. If she is cold, she will come closer to me and sometimes I am not aware of this. She is secure and does not care about the bathroom problem, actually nothing at all until I get up and put her on the floor. All of my dogs showed protection to the children in the house. If the other dog is fine in the boot room, you can leave him there but if he finds discomfort bring him back upstairs. He may or may not want to sleep with her also. I have a sheet spread on my bed when Emily sleeps there. I find that it is easier to wash a sheet a couple of times a week to get rid of any hair she will lose. I hope this solution works and as she barks, you will just have try different solutions until you find one that works for HER! Take care RR