Any sudden change in a dog's behaviour could be caused by pain or discomfort, so a vet check would probably be the first thing.

Have you actually been getting up in the early hours and sitting on the sofa with him?

If you have, that's a very bad habit to begin and he could quickly learn to bark to get attention.

If you're happy with him sleeping in your room, in his cage, then maybe move him back and see if he settles.

Could there be anything happening outside that's disturbing him at that time?

 

He was at the vet on Sunday for his booster check up and she did a lot of checks on him, she took his temp, listened to his heart, gave him a pretty good examination. I explained that sometimes he's sick and brings up bile hence why the examination was a little more thorough.

Well a few weeks ago, our curtain pole fell down, the mother in law bought us a new pole with some new curtains, trouble is they're practically see through, I thought this could be disturbing him as he tends to wake when it's light. Although I'm not sure why that would've caused him to wake last night at my mums.

I know this may sound silly but I'm wondering if he needs another canine companion. Theres a little westie up the road and he absolutely loves him. Whenever we take Pepper for a walk he always aims straight to his house, once there we have to literally pick him up to get him to come home.

I thought about maybe moving him back upstairs but I'm worried this may cause separation anxiety when we go out of the house. He goes to dog crèche now and again and has taken part in puppy training classes. It was the trainer who advised me to move him downstairs but many people I know have their dogs in bed with them! I tried this with him a couple of weeks ago and the first night was fine, he slept until 9.30am but the following night he just wouldn't settle.

Thanks for your help.

 

Is he neutered? If not, it could all be due to a bitch in season locally that he can smell

 

I only sit with him for 10 minutes or so until he settles then I put him back in his cage. Not sure if this is the best thing for him.

 

Yes he was neutered about 3 months ago. Best thing I did as he was so destructive before he had the op, much improved now, doesn't chew my carpets and scratch my settee anymore. But his sleeping has gradually got worse.

 

I only sit with him for 10 minutes or so until he settles then I put him back in his cage. Not sure if this is the best thing for him.

It doesn't matter how long you sit with him. The fact is that you are teaching him that if he will wake up and make some noise you will come and keep him company. You only encourage it when you do it several times during the early hours.

 

I only sit with him for 10 minutes or so until he settles then I put him back in his cage. Not sure if this is the best thing for him.

I was making that mistake with my pup. Because it was easier for me to know she's snoozing again before going back to bed.
I then changed it so if she barked I went downstairs, directed her to her bed and then immediately went back upstairs. First few nights I didn't always make it all the way up the stairs before she barked again but now she doesn't bother. She sleeps through much longer and even entertains herself if I have a lie in at the weekend.
I was advised to ignore the barking entirely but I thought it best to spare the neighbours being sleep-deprived too! And this way had worked just as well with minimal stress.

 

So I just go down and tell him to stop barking? As he's in his cage? Or do I let him out and if he doesn't need the toilet I put him straight back?

 

So I just go down and tell him to stop barking? As he's in his cage? Or do I let him out and if he doesn't need the toilet I put him straight back?

let him out without speaking, if he doesn't perform, put him back to bed with no attention

 

let him out without speaking, if he doesn't perform, put him back to bed with no attention

This is what I would advise also. No speaking at all, no playing, just outside. If no business back to bed. Ignore any further barking.

 

If he is bringing the bile up in the morning then he could be waking up as he is hungry. Try feeding him a bit later. Also try making him a den where he can sleep that is nice and dark.