New pup thinks he's a rooster

hazmat · Jun 5, 2002

New pup thinks he\'s a rooster

Since you've been so helpful with my tractor purchase, maybe you can help me with this "problem".

We've got a new black lab pup. he is three months old now. He is a great dog. Progressing nicely on obedience training. He pretty consistantly wakes up at 4:30-5am. I would be a whole lot happier if he slept an extra hour.

We take his water away at about 8pm. He usually starts settleing down for the night at 9pm. we take him out before we hit the sack at 10:30 - 11pm. He is usuallly awake for play time from 4pm-9pm. Dinner is at 5pm.

I can't figure out if he's hungry (my first guess), lonely (he's crated in the kitchen at night), or needs to do his business (doesn't seem too urgent when I let him out).

We tryed giving him a snack last night at 9pm, then took him for a walk & kept him up till 11. Sure enought this morning, up at 4:30. We tried about three weeks ago keeping him in the bedroom, he woke us up more.

I don't know if I should continue with the snack, try to get him to have an early evening nap or what. Any suggestions?

Anonymous Poster · Jun 5, 2002

Re: New pup thinks he\'s a rooster

I had 3 Labs and a cocker spaniel.When the cocker would start howling the labs would join in to.It would only last about 15 secs didn't matter what time of the day night it was.The other labs died but the cocker still does it and the other one chimes in.I guess you get used to it after time.

PhilNH5 · Jun 5, 2002

Re: New pup thinks he\'s a rooster

Hazmat,
The dog has trained YOU to get up at 4:30AM. I had a dog do this to me a few years back. Getting up before dawn for no good reason.

Finally ignored him. Only took 3 days and he stopped getting up that early.

My 2 dogs now have me semi trained. 6 AM sharp they are nuzzling me with cold wet noses to get me up.
But if I am away they let my wife sleep in. They know she won't get up at 6 AM!!

Phil

hazmat · Jun 5, 2002

Re: New pup thinks he\'s a rooster

Phil,

I hadn't thought of that. It has been kind of automatic that when he makes noise, we get up and let him out. He had a few "mistakes" in the crate the first two weeks. Do you think he's big enough now (three months 25#) to tough it out? The housebreaking has gone well so far (he's been doing really well the last week). I'd hate to regress.

We have a 6 year old lab as well. His crate is in the bedroom. If he wakes up too early, I tell him to "lie down, it's not time yet" He'll go back to sleep. He's been known to sleep in untill noon! (after a late night). We always let him out before bed as well.

Thomas · Jun 5, 2002

Re: New pup thinks he\'s a rooster

I don't know if this would be good news or bad news for you.

We have a 4 year old Black lab and it took her about a year or so to grow out of getting up early,now she gets up around 6am..but the cat still and early riser.

Slamfire · Jun 5, 2002

Re: New pup thinks he\'s a rooster

Get him his own door, and sleep in.

butzkeg · Jun 5, 2002

Re: New pup thinks he\'s a rooster

I have a 12 week old black lab, and she'll sleep from 10pm until 6 am in her crate. She's usually not the one to wake up either; I get up for work and let her out when I make it to the living room. On weekends, she'll go to 7-7:30 until someone gets up.

We usually take her food by 6:30pm and the water by 8pm. She seems to handle this fine.

She's doing very well with the housebreaking, as long as it's not raining.

butzkeg · Jun 5, 2002

Re: New pup thinks he\'s a rooster

Phil's got it right though, you'll have to ignore him until you want him to get up. You may have to put up with some noise, but your best bet is to leave him be.

hazmat · Jun 5, 2002

Re: New pup thinks he\'s a rooster

Sounds like a little tough love is called for. Thanks for the input guys.

TonyC · Jun 5, 2002

Re: New pup thinks he\'s a rooster

I have had dogs all my life (I have three now) and these folks are telling you right. Do not let the dog train you! Yes, he's old enough to hold it. If he has a couple of accidents he'll get past them. Scold him when he goes in his crate or he'll think it's okay. Tough love...you gotta be firm especially at first. After all, these are his formative years!/w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif Good luck!