Freester

Yes we have given in in the past (my darling hubby is part of the problem and so the battle continues!!)... I now that he probably thinks his barking has worked before, so I'll do it again and get let in! We have never had him in a crate before. Maybe this is what we need to do?? this isn't a new behaviour. It has been on and off for quite a while, and we generally just put up with it - but I've had way too much of putting up with it now!! When he whinges we usually ignore it for a bit, then when he keeps going on and on we call out for him to be quiet. If it sounds like he wants to go out for a wee (different bark), we will let him out, then go back to bed with him still in the back room (not let in the house if we are not up yet). If things get really bad, DH usually gets up and sleeps on the couch without letting the dog in the main part of the house. This seems to settle him down a bit for some reason.

We have a 3.5yr old English Springer Spaniel who sleeps in our back room (blocked off by rest of the house by child gate). He is a very sooky dog and likes a lot of attention. Barks and whinges from about 4am to be let inside the main part of the house and for us to get up and give him attention, and need some advice on how to stop this. We have 2 young children who are sometimes woken (it's surprising what they'll sleep through), and a very grumpy mummy who is exhausted from early wake up calls!! Any thoughts on how to stop this behaviour without giving into him and letting him in the house? Cheers