My puppy wants to play at 5am!!! Help!

[tracyd]

My 9 week old Shih Tzu is doing okay with most things. She goes to bed okay, no problem. She is in a crate in the kitchen. We leave the door open and she has the run of the kitchen. There is newspaper by the door and her food/water bowl just outside of her crate (we leave water out for her at all times but food only at set meal times for her). She sleeps quite a lot during the day, I am wondering if that is why she demands that we get up with her between 4.15 am and 6.00 everyday! She barks and wines SO loud that I have to go down to her or she will wake the rest of the family, and probebly the neighbours! She is happy in her environment, and enjoys being in her crate. She just wants to play. I need some advice on how to help her sleep a bit longer. Do you think I need to get up with her in the night for the toilet? She doesnt really go once I get up, she has usually gone already on the newspaper or else where on the floor! She just wants to be with someone. I am trying to keep her away as much as I can in the evening before bedtime but it doesnt seem to help.
Please help, I am SO tired!!!

[nick_j007]

Hi and welcome to puppy training

My very simple advice to you is not to return to her during the night until it is a time that you can accept and then function on during the day. Your pup can sleep any time, you need to work.

Yes, there is noise, but three nights is usually the max and she will give it up. A bottle of wine to your neighbours, and ear plugs for the family.

Nick

[tracyd]

Great reply, Ill do that!
Ill let you know how I get on.
Thanks
Tracy

[nick_j007]

You should be fine. Puppies (all dogs for that matter) like routine, so you need to set a routine that suits you and your family. If it was up to your dog it might be up all night and sleep all day