Hi, I realise this sounds a bit stupid! We have moved Buddy out of our bedroom and downstairs at night now, he is still in his crate and after 3 nights now goes straight to sleep without any fuss. The problem is he is waking an hour earlier than usual and procedes to bark very loudly until we let him out for his wee/poo, as it is only 6am we put him straight back to bed and close the door, this was the same routine for upstairs only he would actually go back to sleep for at least another 30mins-1hr, now he just continues to bark! I can't leave him barking as I'm worried he will wake the neighbours! any suggestions? the crate is covered, he has a toy to play with, we know he is tired and just wanting to be with us as when we give in and bring him upstairs with us he goes straight to sleep!!!

dogs cant tell the time rolleyes:

It could be something to do with daylight, he doesn't know the days get longer!!!

I realise dogs can't tell the time! my point is he has only done this for the last 3 days since we moved him downstairs!

give him time to adjust to his new routine, he will be confused as to why you moved him downstairs after starting him off up

I would talk to the neighbours and explain what you are doing. Buy them a bottle of wine and thank them for their patience.
And leave him for a week or so - the key is to go down and let him out as soon as he is quiet, if you let him out when he's barking he will assosiate the continued barking with being let out.
Alternatively move his crate back upstairs and gradually move it down, this is what I did the crate started off by my bed then at the foot of my bed then on the landing then at the foot of the stairs and finally into the front room where they sleep straight through now. It may of been a bit of a shock to find you're no longer there when he wakes up.

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A dog Possesses Beauty without Vanity,Strength without Insolence, Courage without Ferocity, And all the Virtues of Man without his Vices.

Oh B*gger LOL

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The one thing I'd add to this is be consistent! You can't leave him downstairs one day and let him up the next (easier said than done, I know!!) If you want him to stay downstairs, leave him down there - it used to drive me mad when I would go up for my shower after hubby went out to work and Lily would bark and whine. But I stuck to it and after some very noisy mornings, she now knows she has to go back to bed at 7.15 (she even takes herself back to bed now ) and will stay there until I am ready to let her back out of her crate.

Be consistent, persistent and patient - you've changed his routine, but he'll soon learn.

Good luck.

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thanks for all the advice!

ive not needed to do this myself but i have heard that when they start to bark you could knock loudly on the banister which should distract him? Is the crate covered and are you using a hot water bottle, an item of your clothing is a good idea to