Barking

[Suga]

Hi, I'd appreciate some advise on stopping my dogs barking through the night...

We have 2 dogs, Albert a King Charles Spaniel who is 6 (we've had him a year) and Winnie a springer pup who is 7 months (she's a mini springer from a big litter) We got Winne as company for Albert and other than the fact she can be a little boisterous for him at times, it has bought him out of his shell.

The problems we are having is barking at night. They both share a bed (even though they have separate ones) and they are good at going to sleep once we turn off the lights. It gets to about 2 in the morning and Winne starts barking, Albert then joins in although you can tell he has no idea why and is still half asleep! She doesnt need to go outside, we have a small dog flap leading to a large enclosed garden, so she can come and go as she pleases anyway. Its not a noise as its the same time every night. I know we should ignore her but she really doesnt give up and its very loud, the neighbours on both sides have small children I hate to wake them up every night. Once we get up, tell her to go back to bed she does, but then it starts over again at around 5/6. Its getting worse now in that even us getting up doesnt stop her she just barks in your face constantly.

They sleep on the landing. That is where Albert slept before Winnie came along, without any problems. We've tried shutting them both in the kitchen, Albert did not like that one bit. And we tried shutting just Winnie in the kitchen but she desperately wants to cuddle with Albert at night.

sorry to ramble on but I wanted to cover everything. And I'm very tired!

Many thanks