I have a 5yo Westie/ Shi Tzu Mix. She slept in her crate until about 6 months ago. Since then she comes into my bed at night time. The problem is that she gets out of bed anywhere from 1-10 times during the night. She doesn't have to go potty, she gennerly wants to go into the living room or just walk around my apartment and then returns to bed (but I have to pick her up to get her back into bed). I'm gone most of the day at work but do try to give her lots of attention in the evenings. I'll even take her for an hour walk and those nights she has more energy at bed time than normal. I'm highly sleep deprived and would love some suggestions on how to get my dog to sleep!

If she was doing fine in the crate, I would suggest you start recrating her again. I know it is nice to have her with you in the bed, but it is evident that she is not comfortable with this. Being out of her crate means playtime, eating, exploring, walking,. Being in her crate means sleep and relaxing time to her. Play with her as much as possible, walk her as much as possible, exercise her as much as possible. All the things you stated that you do. Then, when it is time for you to go to bed, crate her. Keep her next to your bed if you like. But, she will be happier and you will get the sleep that you need.

Ruby said it all.

Sorry, I did not mention, the reason I stopped crating my dog at bedtime is because I moved and she would bark all night long in the crate - I finally gave up and let her come to bed. I'm scared if I put her back in the crate she might be really unhappy.

Did you have the crate by your bed?

Lorenzo, dogs are creatures of habit. You moved. It takes time for them to adjust. I am sure she has done so by now. You allowed her to dictate the house rules. The first week she will do stuff, such as bark. You need to ignore it. Labman has a technique that might help you. Lay down with her, next to the crate. Let her see you and hear you breathe. She will go eventually settle down and go to sleep. Then you can go to bed. If you feel you must, put the crate near your bed, in a position where she will be able to see you on your bed from her crate if she wakes up.

If you don't want to do this, take a kong and fill it with a little peanut butter. Put it in the crate with her. You need to be consistent. If she barks, let her bark. Ignore her and she will eventually stop. Keep taking her out of the crate, and she has learned that her barking will get your attention. In essence, she is training you. If you can hold out and not react, she will get the message that she needs to settle down and go to sleep when you put her in the crate at night.