OK, time to ask for some advice.

Roger has been really, really good for the most part. But over the past few days, he's started to really make quite a racket when he's crated from the hours of midnight to 6 AM...i.e. Mom & Dad's sleeping time.

Until 3 days ago he has made it through every night without a peep. Only starts barking when he hears my alarm go off at 7:10; that's when he knows it's time to go out.

But starting this week, he's been absolutely incessant. Last night I cut off his water at 9:30, and took him out at 11:30 right before bedtime.

So, he wakes us up at 3:30 with this bark. I take him out; he pees.

Again at 5:00. Another pee.

Again at 6:00. Another pee.

Again at 7:00. Another pee.

And the real kicker was that after I got back in the house at 7:05, my alarm went off 5 minutes later. At which he promptly went nuts and would NOT stop barking, and I KNOW he wasn't doing it because he had to pee.

I'd love to find a simple answer, like "You're giving him too much water." But I'm afraid that it may be more complex.

HELP! God, I hate saying that.

What is he doing during the day?

 Quote: Ross Rapoport

Until 3 days ago he has made it through every night without a peep. Only starts barking when he hears my alarm go off at 7:10; that's when he knows it's time to go out.

But starting this week, he's been absolutely incessant. Last night I cut off his water at 9:30, and took him out at 11:30 right before bedtime.

So, he wakes us up at 3:30 with this bark. I take him out; he pees.

Again at 5:00. Another pee.

Again at 6:00. Another pee.

Again at 7:00. Another pee.

Take a pee sample in to the vet to rule out UTI.

If no UTI, it sounds like some tough love is in order. You have effectively rewarded him each time he barked in the crate, by taking him outside. (this is assuming no UTI, of course)

I would make the cut off time earlier on the water, if he is prone to drinking a lot during the evening hours.

For starters....Stop his water at 5 or 6pm. IMO 9:30 is way too late for a young pup to drink & make it thru the night. I don't even encourage my adult dogs to drink more than a couple of laps late at night. Feed his dinner earlier & water & then that's it till morning, pick up the water bowl.

Is he doing this during the day also? If so, it is possible that he has a UTI.

When you take him out it is to pee & do not play with him in any manner. Just out to pee & back in. Give him NO satisfaction out of being taken out to 'go'. Keep it strickly business.

It is possible that he has now taught you to take him out to 'play' at night when it is sleeping time 'cause he is rested & ready to play. He may have really had to go the first time the first night, then figured out it was fun.

You may have to make a call as to whether he is doing this to get attention or if he really has to go out. If you are sure it is just for the attention....then I would let him cry it out. It may take a couple of nights for him to realize that you are not getting up to play. I would not do this if you think that there is the least bit of a chance that he really has to go, or you will teach him to go in his crate.

For me, I would take him out at bedtime & then again at 3 & then at 6 or so, for a few nights & see what happensfrom there. Then if that goes ok, increase the distance for the mid night pee time until you reach the last couple of hours that you would get up anyway.

We were all typing at the same time.

 Quote: Tiffany Holtfret

What is he doing during the day?

Unfortunately, my wife and I both work. He is @ home, crated, during our workday and we have only had 1 or 2 accidents during those hours.

To all others:

I'm actually pleasantly surprised to hear the suggestion of cutting off the water well before I am currently doing so. I'll try this first. He's a really thirsty little bugger (total water/chow hound) but it sounds like we may be overhydrating him.

That's partly due to my concerns over him getting UTIs. His urine smelled a little funny once, and I probably over-reacted and gave him too much water as a result.

He has a vet appt for Lyme Disease shot and some other stuff. I'll have them test for a UTI as well. How should I collect the sample?

 Quote: Ross Rapoport

HELP! God, I hate saying that.

I bet you don't like asking for help when lost either, do you? :}

Well, I generally have a navigation device w/me, or some written directions. But oddly enough, before those things were invented, I didn't mind pulling over and asking someone.

Just don't want to cause a big ruckus in here, is all.

I would also do some research on the Lyme shot if I were you.

I personally would never give it to my dogs. Not going to get into the whole vaccination protocal thing here, there are plenty of threads about this....but that & lepto(alot of bad reactions to this one & only covers a couple of the strains out there) are ones that should never be given. JMO

You should do the research & make an informed decision for your pup.

ETA...to get a clean catch...slip a cup or something under him just after he starts to pee. Let the first few drop go & stick it under him then. That way it is a cleaner catch for the vet to test.

 Quote: Anne Jones

ETA...to get a clean catch...slip a cup or something under him just after he starts to pee. Let the first few drop go & stick it under him then. That way it is a cleaner catch for the vet to test.

Tape a paper or plastic cup (small one) to a stick.