My dog thinks his job is to get us up in the morning.

mcpitman

KxMx said:

Unfortunately your dog has learnt how to get what he wants- one of you up when he is ready.

I think you may have to tough it out with ignoring him and the barking - I'm sure if you have an apologetic word with neighbours to pre warn them, they will understand.

How long did you try ignoring him before? 

Couldn't agree more with the above.

Sounds like the little monkey has you at his beck and call.

sheramber

I always keep feeding/walking times flexible to avoid the dog being obsessed with times. One of mine regularly tried to tell me it was dinner time at 4.15pm despite never being fed before 4.45pm. Sometimes it was 6 pm until he as fed if we were oiut somewhere or busy.  

Not time yet was the phrase used.

teach him to go to his bed or a mat  and 'settle'.  Do this away from bedtime/early morning. 

https://www.dogstrust.org.uk/help-advice/training/settle-training

Once he does it reliably then use that in the early morning.

When my dog started early morning rising after a house move I told her 'not time yet. Go and settle down'  She then either went to her bed or lay down at the side of the bed until I got up.

MrsStepford

If you make the dog feel that you really aren't happy about being woken up, he will be quiet over time. We moved my labrador's bed into our bedroom and brought up a box with toys, bones, sticks and the odd treat. He got the idea that when he woke up, he could rummage in the box and play with toys etc. If he did get noisy, we told him that he was too early and to be a good boy and play quietly. Eventually, he did realise that he was with us, but able to play until it was the proper time to get up.