new user, strange problem

[sleepyinseattle]

i'm excited about finally getting my life back. hopefully cpap will allow me to regain the energy that i currenty lack in my life. i just pu a respironics c-m pro with a full face mask and am trying to get used to it. i am using the ramp up feature which helps, but i have a different (strange) problem that made getting sleep last night hard.

it's our 75lb lab/shepard mix dog. he does not like the mask on me. our dog is spoiled and usually sleeps at the foot of our bed, but last night is was very concerned about the mask and the breathing noise comming from it. he wanted to stand guard over me, or lay with his body on me and his head on my shoulder. moving him out of the bedroom, and closing the door resulted in him barking. i'm sure that over time he will get used to the cpap, but last night was hard.

Alec

[xiola]

i have two Weimaraners, and shortly before i started CPAP, i kicked them out of my bedroom. they spend the night sleeping on the couch now.

it took a few days and some training, but they adjusted. I personally sleep better with them out of the room. I'm glad now that I set the new "no dogs in the bedroom rule" before I started cpap. their presence would have made it much more difficult to use as a new user i think.

That is what worked for me. it might not work for you. Be sure that when your dog is acting protective, you don't pat him, don't tell him "it's ok" don't praise him. that just reinforces the behavior. you need to firmly tell him "no" and move him to his spot on the bed. do this with your mask on. once he's in his spot, then prase and/or treat him.

[Snorkler]

Your dog is just trying to protect you! It will take some training until he (and you) get used to it.

[Babette]

Hey there. Sounds like you need to re-train the dog to sleep outside. Not easy, but probably necessary.

Good luck!
Barbara

[SleepyStarfish]

I think it is sweet that your dog is obviously concerned about what is going on and was trying to protect you! I am betting that if you let him sniff the mask and listen to the sounds, etc that he will get used to it and figure out that it is not trying to eat your face!!! Best wishes to you and your fur-baby!!

[SuperGeeky]

I'd try washing the mask If you don't, well... It will smell like last nights dinner. Ah, I'm so bad, my apologies...

I love big dogs and it's hard to close the door. They can improve your well being and probably your CPAP recovery as well...

good luck,

SG

[sleepywolverine]

I just started therapy recently and I have a 75 lb black lab. He was very confused at first, but a couple days of sniffing and investigating- and it's commonplace now. He'll adjust

[Trinity101]

I have a Beagle- they are notoriously noisy- being hounds, they bark/howl at anything different to let us know they noticed! She was curious at first, but because I did not act "nervous", she did not even make a peep- and within a couple of days, did not even wake up if I came in late and then the machine was started. SO- hang in there- and good luck, whatever you decide to do with your dog.Oh- I agree with not reinforcing the unwanted behavior advice- unknowingly, we often praise them when they are not in the mindset we desire, and then have to suffer the consequences.
~joan