Question
My dog seems to be waking me up earlier and earlier in the morning to be let outside and fed. We used to be on a pretty good schedule. We'd get up at 5 a.m., I'd put him out, and get his breakfast ready while he did his thing. However, for the last couple of weeks, he's been getting me up earlier and earlier. Yesterday he started barking at 3 a.m. wanting breakfast. Today it was 4. The time is about to change, so I fear it's only going to get worse, because he has no clue about a clock. =;)-
There's been no other change in routine for us recently. We eat dinner at the same time and go to bed at the same time.
How can I get this guy back on a decent schedule? I could really use a whole night's sleep again.
Answer
I breed springer spaniels. Consequently, I've had a number of different dogs under my roof since I started (bitches/studs I've borrowed, dogs I've watched while the owners were away etc.)
This problem isn't uncommon. It's almost always a consequence of one of two things:
- Giving into the dog's request to get up earlier.
- Getting the dog off schedule (i.e. changes in feeding times, walks, bathroom opportunities, etc.)
Often the two go together: you wake up earlier (or he wakes you up earlier), so you feed the dog breakfast earlier, so he gets hungry for dinner earlier, so you feed him earlier, so he gets hungry for breakfast earlier (or has to go #2 earlier), so he wakes up earlier.
First, wait out his barking for two to four nights; they almost always quickly learn that barking is futile. Second, feed him about four hours before bed (it takes about four hours for him to convert the food into a #2), then take him out for a walk before bed and make sure he does a #1 and #2 on that walk. If you do that, he won't have any reason to wake up early (he won't need to go to the bathroom and he won't feel hungry, etc.).
Answered By - Hal