6 month old puppy

[kevin dixon]

My 6 month old whippet pup wakes up the same time every morning crying and barking (6.00am) it's not as though he's busting for the toilet because when I let him out he hardly does anything.

how can I break this habit, I've tried altering the times I feed him but doesn't seem to work.

 

[goldenbear2013]

I would try ignoring him. This may go on for a while until he realises you wont be coming to tend to him.

Now he could whinge and bark for a looooooooooong time, but you must not give in, otherwise he will know that eventually you will give him the attention he wants.

If his cries sound distressed (you will know the difference in your dog when this happens) then by all means go and see to him, as he could be desperate for the toilet, or something could be wrong.

It will be really tough to try and stick to your guns but if you do you will be able to break his habit.

Sophie x

 

[kevin dixon]

Hi Sophie

Thanks for your reply I will try what you say, hopefully he will grow out of this behaviour as he gets older. X

 

[poppy2714]

That is personally what I had to do - they soon realise that they have to fit into your routine. I hope things are getting easier

 

[Hagrid]

You have to break his habit and let him know that you are in-charge. You have to ignore him until you are ready to get up or if you are in the same room as him ignore him and don't make eye contact. You have to be more stubborn than him.

 

[Raven oaktree]

Basically you have actually helped him establish this routine by going to him when he wakes a 6am. I dont know if other dogs are the same but mine love routine and learn a pattern very quickly. so maybe it started as you jumping out of bed when he was a tiny pup and toilet training him (we have all done it), he now thinks thats the time he gets up, so thats the time he tries to wake you . i would try ignoring him for a few extra mins every day till you gradually move his wake up/get up time to a time that works for both of you...if he is used to getting up at 6 but you leave him to howl for an hour he is just going to become confused and upset because that is his routine and he dosent understand what has happened, if you leave him a few mins every day, you are not 'giving in to him' by running to him as soon as he calls or demands attention, but you will be able to gradually move his wake up time without causing too much distress or upset with a sudden change in his routine...hope things are settling for you and you find a solution that works for both of you . I have the opposite problem, im a very early riser and if i try to disturb my pup i get the one eyed 'WHAT do you want at this godforsaken hour look hahahahahaha

 

[gypsysmum]

I would try to prevent him from knowing it is 6am. Darken the room or his crate and leave a radio on so that he can't hear early morning noises from outside.

Never let him out if he is making a noise. Always wait for him to be quiet. You may have to use your wiles to stop the noise at first. As time goes on wait a bit longer, with him being quiet, before letting him out. Just a few seconds at first and stretch it to ten seconds then twenty. The light bulb moment will come to him, eventually, that he needs to be quiet to be let out!