6 month old waking up at night

A few weeks ago our 6 month old Lab pup starting waking up in the middle of the night. It may have been since we got back from vacation 3 weeks ago, but it may have started before then. He wakes up at 3 or 4am and pretty much just wants out of the crate barking and whining. He might get a drink. He might go to the door. Then he's ok to go back to his crate. I can't figure out if he's thirsty, needs to go out, or just developed a bad sleeping pattern. While on vacation, he stayed at wonderful pet resort with some really great folks, and I think he had a pretty good time running around the farm. Now that I think of it... this is right around the same time we switched him from eating 3 times a day to twice a day (they switched him at the pet resort). Now he eats 2 cups at 7:00am and 2 cups at 7pm. Besides this new middle of the night thing of his, he is perfect. He is an absolutely wonderful dog and the whole family is in love him. If only he would go back to sleeping through the night!!! :image023: Thanks all.

I know we like to feed Addie earlier than you are feeding your pup to be sure she has time to digest a bit and go potty before bed. We always do a short walk in the evening after dinner as well.

Sounds like your pup has bad habits. Maybe try ignoring the behavior or tell him to "go back to sleep".

Good luck!

Coopspuppy

Hey Paul,

I had the same issue with my puppy at 3 months old. She would just wake up 30 mins to an hour before my alarm went off for work. That would ruin my morning and I would be exhausted all day. So I did some research and found this solution:

-Start by setting an alarm that will go off before your pup wakes up, ie. if he's waking up at 4 am set the alarm for 2.30 am or 3 am. Make sure he can hear the alarm as well
- take him out right away to relieve himself and put him right back to bed or in a crate if that's where he sleeps. Be very matter of fact about it so he knows that it's just a bathroom break and not play.
- do this for a few days (not fun days lol). After a few days set your alarm a little later, ie. if it's set for 2.30 am set it for 2.45 am or 3 am.
- slowly set your alarm later and later for the next few weeks until you are waking up at your normal time.

With my pup she seemed to and now does understand that when she hears the alarm she can get up and I haven't had her wake up in the middle of the night since I did this. I know it's a daunting task, but it worked for me and if nothing else works maybe this can help you as well.

hope this helps and good luck!

It sounds like a bad habit. However, try more exercise right before bed. Maverick is the same age and we found that he got really restless if we didn't completely wear him out before we came in for the night. You mentioned him running around the farm, so maybe he just has extra energy or a new love of running that he didn't have. Try some intense off leash play, running, and play after eating and before you come in for the night. For us, if Maverick gets drowsy and relaxed before bedtime then he will sleep soundly until my alarm at 6am.

My 6 month old is doing the exact same thing. He will awake around 4 - I tell him to go back to bed and he will - for about 1/2 hour or so - then he gets restless again and comes over to check on me by putting his paws up on the bed. It almost as if he is insecure. He is too big now to fit on the dog bed with my 13 year old lab - which was his preferred sleeping place in the past. Plus - his hormones are kicking in as well. I have not taken him out in the evening - because it is pitch black/ (I have to use a flashlight - I am out in the Napa country without street lights.) Maybe I need to add that to the routine. Has your puppy improved? Maybe it is hormones kicking in as well? My puppy is definitely coming into his own!

Another possiblity is something new is going on outside your house at that time and it's waking the pup up. A neighbour has a new job to get up and go to, or come home from. Everybody at our house, us too, started waking up at 5:30 when the new guy next door moved in. He has to be at work at 6:00 and leaves at 5:30. Same solution as suggested above.