Dog wakes up to early - help!!

xsjw

We recently got a new dog - it was from a family member so he does know us well - and he always used to wake up about five times throughout the night. Since we've had him he now only wakes up between 5.30-6.30am but that's far too early for us - I'm struggling to cope with the lack of sleep! He is currently sleeping in a crate that he likes as he goes in it during the day but anytime between 5.30-6.30 he will start woofing or howling - I have tried ignoring him but I have left it for 30 minutes before and he is still woofing. If I go downstairs and tell him to be quiet 50% of the time it works and he stays quiet until we get up at 7.30am but the rest of the time he will start whimpering until I go downstairs. I'm trying to be strong as I know he will get used to woofing to get me to go downstairs but I just don't know what to do anymore! We've only had him for a week so I know he's still adjusting but could I have some advice on how you've managed to get your dog to get used to a new sleeping pattern? Thanks!!

GwylimT

What time is his last walk in the evening?

nonnatus

Dogs have amazing internal alarm clocks! They know to the minute when to expect feeding, walking and waking - that's why ROUTINES are the easiest way to train them, they LOVE routines and adapt really well. His bladder is trained to perform at 6.30 most likely and it will be uncomfortable for him to hold it for another hour - not to mention confusing!

Unfortunately, it sounds like your older dogs routine is already in place, but no biggie! It will take time and patience but he'll just need re-programming and it IS possible but you're probably expecting too much too soon?

Be more patient - every week or so, add just 10 minutes to his wake up time. Lots of praise, don't be cross with him because he can't help it.

It'll work, honest!

xsjw

GwylimT wrote: »

What time is his last walk in the evening?

He goes out on a 10-15 minute walk at about 10.30pm.

xsjw

nonnatus wrote: »

Dogs have amazing internal alarm clocks! They know to the minute when to expect feeding, walking and waking - that's why ROUTINES are the easiest way to train them, they LOVE routines and adapt really well. His bladder is trained to perform at 6.30 most likely and it will be uncomfortable for him to hold it for another hour - not to mention confusing!

Unfortunately, it sounds like your older dogs routine is already in place, but no biggie! It will take time and patience but he'll just need re-programming and it IS possible but you're probably expecting too much too soon?

Be more patient - every week or so, add just 10 minutes to his wake up time. Lots of praise, don't be cross with him because he can't help it.

It'll work, honest!

So if I start waking up at 6.40am for a week and then change it to 6.50am that'll be the best way to get him used to a new routine? I know that it will take a while to get him used to a new routine but I just wanted to make sure I was doing the right things to get him to change!

lostinrates

xsjw wrote: »

He goes out on a 10-15 minute walk at about 10.30pm.

Personally, I don't think he's doing that badly. Eight hours. How old is he?

What I would ask is what happens AFTER his last walk. Is the house pretty quiet after that with lights out, or is there lots of activity still? It makes a lot of difference to how ours go through the night.

Also, is where he sleeps dark and quiet, is the light of morning waking him or neighbour noise? Most of us benefit from a widdle when we wake up and last thing before bed.

GwylimT

xsjw wrote: »

He goes out on a 10-15 minute walk at about 10.30pm.

I would be crossing my legs very tightly after that long, it's also a long time to expect a dog to sleep/be quiet.

dandelionclock30

I'd just get up that bit earlier myself. My cat gets up between 5-6am and I've got to get up otherwize she will continue knocking the door.
I give her breakfast and then she comes and lies on my bed for another hour or so.
Could you get up, let your Dog out for a wee and then give him something to eat and come back to bed for a bit? I personally wouldnt like to think my dog was crying/wimpering to go to the toilet whilst I was in bed. I'd feel bad about it.

xsjw

lostinrates wrote: »

Personally, I don't think he's doing that badly. Eight hours. How old is he?

What I would ask is what happens AFTER his last walk. Is the house pretty quiet after that with lights out, or is there lots of activity still? It makes a lot of difference to how ours go through the night.

Also, is where he sleeps dark and quiet, is the light of morning waking him or neighbour noise? Most of us benefit from a widdle when we wake up and last thing before bed.

We send him out in the garden again for the toilet just before we go to bed at 11.30pm so he's only sleeping for 6 hours at the moment. There's not tons of activity going on between his last walk and us going to bed but it's not super quiet either. And we've bought blackout curtains and we live in a very quiet village so there's no noise at night time.

xsjw

GwylimT wrote: »

I would be crossing my legs very tightly after that long, it's also a long time to expect a dog to sleep/be quiet.

He is only sleeping for 6 hours at the moment as he goes outside for the toilet again at 11.30pm and wakes up at 5.30am. Everyone else's dogs seem to sleep until 7am and it's not feasible for our lifestyle to get up at 5.30am every day as one of us works late shifts a few days a week and we can't cope on 5 hours sleep on the night shift days - I'd just like to know what to do to help him stay downstairs quietly until 7am ☺️

xsjw

dandelionclock30 wrote: »

I'd just get up that bit earlier myself. My cat gets up between 5-6am and I've got to get up otherwize she will continue knocking the door.
I give her breakfast and then she comes and lies on my bed for another hour or so.
Could you get up, let your Dog out for a wee and then give him something to eat and come back to bed for a bit? I personally wouldnt like to think my dog was crying/wimpering to go to the toilet whilst I was in bed. I'd feel bad about it.

When if get up though he doesn't want to go to the toilet - he just wants to play. I've let him out in the garden and he just runs around in circles sniffing and then comes in again. I think it's because he wants to see us. As I said in another comment it's not feasible for us to get up at 5.30am every day and that's not exactly the lifestyle I'd like as one of us works nightshifts a few days a week and it's really affecting us already only getting 5ish hours sleep! My old dogs used to sleep until 7am and I'd like him to learn to do the same if possible.