[Joannie]

We have a 13 month old labradoodle-a gem. She's a very active, athletic, beautiful dog. I leave her in the house during the day for 3-3 1/2 hr. alone and she's fine. At night though, I put her in the crate in another room. Otherwise, she would be up at 5 watching and barking at the squirrels.

She's been at the dogsitter's for a few days now and I realize how I let her run me! Sometimes she gets up at 6:20-6:30... She'll start whimpering and I'm afraid she'll start barking and wake my husband and son up, so I get her out of the crate. Is there any way to change her clock? In the summer she got up around 7:15ish! That was fine. She tends to fall asleep earlier now that the days are shorter. I do have her play with the neighbor's dog during the day and at night to tire her out in addition to probably 45 min. to an hour of walking/day.

On the weekends, I would love to stay in bed until 7;30 or 8, but it seems like that will never happen. I do get up around 6:15 during the week to get my son off to school. We try to be extremely quiet, but of course, she hears or senses us. I guess part of me feels it's cruel to make her sleep in the crate. We had a bishon before and she slept with us, but she didn't take up much space and she was content to stay in bed until I got up.

Any thoughts would be great. Other than that, she's a peach!
Thanks.
Joannie

[giraffemsh]

Maybe try to keep her up later, play for example and try putting a light sheet over her krate at night. And maybe let her out when you take your son to school.