Please help me. Any suggestions are welcome at this point. I have a 10 yr old Cocker and he has always been an early riser... up early out to potty back in for breakfast has been the routine. However the last 2 years, he has been waking earlier and earlier. Now he's waking at 4:30 am and it's killing me! If I don't let him out fast enough when he starts his whining, he will pee in the house. He is able to hold his pee all day long while I'm at work with no issue... My Vet and I have ruled out any physical issues. He is on anti-anxiety medicine, but it doesn't help much. I have read all about how I'm reinforcing the behavior by feedding him, so now I'm getting up and letting out, not feeding. Back to bed (not sleeping) the up again an hour or so later to feed, then back to bed (not sleeping) so now I'm disturbing MY sleep not once but twice! I'm desperate to fix this issue. I've tried feeding later, in case he was hungry. Taking up water early in the evening. If I put him in the kennel, he cries and claws for hours. HELP! :(

Wow, you must be exhausted! It seems like you have explored every option with your vet and on the behavior side of things. I was going to mention an UTI, but you said your vet ruled out anything medical.

Have you considered trying a valerian root? It's an all natural sleep aid and it's okay to use on dogs as well. Of course I would suggest you explore this option with your vet prior to use.

I am surprised the anti anxiety meds don't make him sleepier. Have you tried experimenting with the times of day you give him the meds?

They also have these things that you can plug into the wall, and they release natural dog pheromones, do they work? I couldn't tell you, but just trying to give you any option I can muster up.

There are a few other natural avenues you can explore such as, flower essences including helianthemum, clematis, and impatiens as well as natural dog treats that are fortified with lavender and clover, there are other treats on the market as well that are made of herbs including valerian extract, inositol, and chamomile. I have never personally tried these treats, but I was exploring the option when I had an overly aggressive dog. Melatonin would be another option you could discuss with your vet. Hope some of this helped.

I've tried the valerian root stuff and calm treats that they sell at the store.. Nothing phases him. Even tried benedryl which doc said was fine.. Still up early. Only other suggestion my vet had was to kennel him at night and try to ignore the whining and clawing at it, and cover with a dark blanket. I'm going to try this. Thanks for your suggestions. Keep them coming if you have anymore! I just feel like I've tried just about everything. Maybe I'll switch foods to find something that might keep him fuller longer, in case he is just wanting to be fed?

I see most things have already been mentioned in previous posts.

I was just wandering what time does he go out last thing at night,maybe you could leave it as late as possible.

I would definitely change his food,there is always a possibility that if the food he has makes him feel more full up it may keep him a sleep longer.
You said you take him out, then go back to bed but he then starts again 1 hour later,at which point you again get up to feed him.It could be that the food he has been on doesn't satisfy him for long enough.I would change to something different or add to what he already has


When you get up to feed him,make him wait just a little longer each time,maybe 15 minutes if you can.I know this will be difficult,but if you can manage it,eventually he should get into the later pattern,you can then extend by say 10 minutes and so on, until eventually,he may have moved foreword a few hours.

This will not be easy,don't give in at the merest whine,try and hold out for as long as you can,he knows the moment he cries you will give him what he wants... and so it goes on
Good luck..

Dear ORPHAN, yes we let him out as late as possible. Before bedtime HOWEVER, even if I let him out at 2am he is up at 4:30am.. so it doesn't seem to matter.. Yes, am def going to look into changing the food because maybe he is HUNGRY. Any suggestions for this? Maybe a natural food selection?

Where are you located Steffie? Just the country is fine. I am in Canada and I have recently changed to brand called Acana. In the states I have heard wonderful things about Blue Buffalo. Look for a brand that lists a high quality protein source as it's main ingredient. If you take a look at some of the recent food threads here in the dog section, you will get an idea of some great brands discussed at length.

I like a holistic diet, but a single grain chow, that uses oatmeal or brown rice as it's single grain is an excellent option for them to get that full feeling longer. Also adding green beans to the diet will give them that full filling with out the extra fat. If he won't eat them normally, cut them up smaller and mix them with a 1/4 cup warm water (to make a gravy) to the hard kibble. My dog weighs about 75lbs and I usually give her 2 cups green beans at dinner. This has also worked wonders for her skin allergy.

Thank you so much @Aurora_Bell I am in US and have DEFINITELY heard great things about Buff Blue too, so I will go that route. Like I said I'll do just about anything to make this situation better. I love my pup, but this up all night back and forth has definitely taken a toll on my mentally and physically. Thanks for everyone's suggestions. Any other ideas are welcome and greatly appreciated!

Hopefully some other members will come along soon and give some more ideas. I can't imagine how exhausted you must be! I've had restless dogs before, and it's no fun. Do you live in a rural area? Have you always had your dog or is she a recent rescue? Have you recently moved or has someone moved in or out of the house recently? Any new pets? Any construction or building happening in the neighborhood? Any wildlife like racoons, deers or skunks that could be getting their morning snack from your yard?

No, I live in the city. I know part of this problem is that I'm not home to entertain him enough. But I do the best I can when I am home. Had him since he was a puppy, no real issues except that this problem has worsened after my other cocker 14 y/o passed away in 2009 - No construction that I know of. We do have trains that pass and I can hear them from my house. I don't think they pass at 4:30am though Yes am exhausted and no, this is not a new problem. Just one that I feel is taking a toll on my mentally and physically now.. just drained. Thanks! Hoping others have suggestions too.

What about more play time before bed?