I have a rotty/shephard pup. she is now 10wks old (got her at 8wks). she is waking up at 4:30AM everyday! like clockwork! it's been going on now for the last week and a half. she does sleep in a kennel. once up (i take her outside at that time), she howls like crazy when put back in. help! anyone have any adivce on this one?

for her howling etc... have you tried to put on the radio or maybe a warm water bottle? or you can try to put a shirt with your scent on it and put it in were the dog sleeps. though i dont know about the waking up, if you mean waking up to go to the bathroom, itll pass as it gets older, there bladder etc...grows and is able to keep it for 8-9 hours or more.

hope it helps.

Is someone or something waking her - milkman, someone walking their dog early? Try to make her bedroom darker so she does not see the dawn although she will still hear the dawn chorus - perhaps she is joining in.

I would also imagine she is lonely if she is outside in a kennel on her own - how about bringing her inside and putting a radio (voice) on quietly so she can hear that and you in the house and know she has not been "deserted" She is still a baby and leaving siblings etc can be rather a wrench.

Christine

thanks christine....she sleeps in her kennel in our bedroom. i put blankets over the top of it. not sure what is waking her. i've even tried sleeping out in the living room with her (while she's in her kennel) and just reassure her that she is not alone. i guess the only thing i have to have is patience! thanks again

When I first got my pup she was waking up every 2 hours to toilet! I couldn't get proper sleep for ages. It does pass though.

wow.. my puppy does the exact same thing!! wakes up at night and when u take him out and put him back in crate he cries.. im thinking about letting him sleep in my room... i really dont know what to do!!!

Hi, I have a 10wk old Bichon, she has been waking in the early hrs, I took her outside to wee but she wouldnt settle back, I soon realised the crying was to get out of the crate so I decided to be firm as I was up 1/2 the night then I decided i couldnt function with so little sleep & as much as I love her to bits I needed a different tack, she now goes to bed at our bedtime in her crate in the utility room with little or no tears, I put paper in the front of the crate & her bed at the back with 2 toys in, she is now sleeping from our bedtime usually 10.30-11 ish right through to 6-6.30am when she crys to get out of the crate, she has usually wee/pood on the paper sometimes just weed if she has pood before bedtime. I am not saying I am right about what I am doing as I am no expert but it appears to be working & I am not quite falling asleep at work now. I just hope as she gets older she will stop soiling the paper at night, maybe someone with more experience than me could say if I am doing things right. regards Pauline

Hi Pauline,
If it works, and you're happy, and the pup's happy, then you're doing the right thing!
:)

Hi Jeangenie
Do you think Molly will eventually stop soiling the paper as she gets older and more bladder/bowel control or am I allowing her to start something that will be difficult to stop by putting paper in her crate? Also do you think she will ever sleep past 6.30am? Regards Pauline

I'm sure as she grows she'll be able to sleep longer, and not need to wake and relieve herself. Mine always have. But I don't expect to have a proper 'lie-in' until all our dogs have gone......7.30 is as late as they will go without barking and scratching to be let out.
:)

Hi Jeangenie
Thanks yes it seems okay for Molly & what makes her happy is ok by us. One other thing I would welcome advice on. We have spent hours outside gardening, taking her out to wee, leaving the doors open so she can go out although at present she likes to be near people so only rarely ventures out alone (I am sure this will get better) anyway like I said, hour outside, we come indoors & what happens but she wees, Ido the things suggested, say no, pick her up &take outside, tell her 'do wee wee' I really dont know what I am doing wrong, Molly is 11 weeks old today & I dont feel I am getting anywhere with the house training, am I expecting to much? regards Pauline

Hi Pauline,
Take it day by day. It can be very hard when they don't seem to get the message, but one day you'll notice you haven't had to do much mopping up for a while..... She's still very young. Each time she performs outside is a step forward.

When you and she have been outside together (they often like to accompanied - and there are many dangers in the garden, so it's only sensible to keep an eye on them), try to time it that you come in just after she's had a wee, so she doesn't feel the need immediately!

Don't worry, she'll get there in the end.
:)

You are not alone! We got our Lab when he was 10 weeks old. He sleeps in our room in a crate (when we left him on the first floor he would bark half the night, so we set up a crate in a corner of our room; at least now he will settle down right away) He used to wake up at least twice a night. He is now 4 months. He has been getting up EVERY morning between 3:30 and 4:20 like clockwork for the past month. I take him out, let him pee, and put him back in his crate. He naps until 5:00 to 5:05---that's IT! I am sleep deprived! I have to to go bed early to get enough rest!

If you find an answer for this let me know! ;-) Lynn

Hi Lynn
I just ignored the middle of the night cry, it was difficult but within 3 days she had stopped & like I said earlier she now sleep until 6 /6.30am. Maybe the fact that he knows you are in the same room & he knows you will get up if he wimpers isnt helping? Why not try putting the crate back in its original place, a good play/walk/wee before bedtime put paper at the front of her crate like I do then bed & leave, ignoring the 3.30 wimper so he will eventually get back into bed until 5, probably having a wee on the paper if need be. Its only a suggestion that worked for us, nothing to loose just some sleep to gain, Good luck, people keep telling me it gets better. Regards Pauline

i don't think dogs like being in crates although i know in some circumstances it can't be helped, i've been very very lucky in that my pup has never cried at night but i also know that could change! she sleeps in our kitchen diner in her basket its a very large room , i put down a couple of puppy pads and she does her business on them and let her out around 6.30ish,

jag

Hi Pauline,
I took your advice and have ignored him for the past couple nights until at least 5am or a little after, and it worked! I know 5am doesn't sound like much, but he used to wake me up at 4:15 to pee. Then he got stuck on 4:30. Now I get up on MY terms and I feel so much more rested. Thanks so much for the tips. There is a light at the end of the tunnel.
Lynn

Hi Lynn
How are things going? We havnt got past 6.15-30 yet, although thats not a bad time because it means we have a couple of hours play before I leave for work. I am putting paper at the front of the crate & Molly has always weed & more often than not also a poo. still its a small price to pay for a reasonably long sleep. Not having a great deal of luck with housetraining, she still goes out to play comes in and wees, I keep telling myself she is only 12weeks old tomorrow, people tell me it just clicks, I wish it would hurry up a bit & click pretty loud. How are you doing with housetraining? Regards Pauline

I did find a way to stop the early waking. For the past few nights now, she is sleeping through the night (sort of). She goes to bed at 9:30/10 and will occasionally wake up at 1/1:30 and settle down. When she does wake up at 4:30AM, I don't even take her out anymore. I lay on the floor beside her crate and let her lay on my hand to settle her. It has worked so far. But watch out, as soon as she wakes up again (around 6:30/7) she has to go outside IMMEDIATELY! Lot's of luck and I hope yours sleeps through soon.