Our 4 month old Berner is crate trained and he sleeps in our living room at night. He gladly goes into the crate but barks in the morning. Generally he barks around 6 am and I usually hear him and let him out because I always assume he has to go to the bathroom. The problem is once I'm up I usually won't go back to sleep and I feed him too.

Am I reinforcing his behavior by getting him out in the morning? I'm just afraid he will go to the bathroom in the crate.

Any suggestions on what I should do?

Originally Posted by k1cart

Our 4 month old Berner is crate trained and he sleeps in our living room at night. He gladly goes into the crate but barks in the morning. Generally he barks around 6 am and I usually hear him and let him out because I always assume he has to go to the bathroom. The problem is once I'm up I usually won't go back to sleep and I feed him too.

Am I reinforcing his behavior by getting him out in the morning? I'm just afraid he will go to the bathroom in the crate.

Any suggestions on what I should do?

I applaud you for crate training however a critical component to crate training is to ensure the crate and puppy are next to you: 1) so you can respond when they wake you to go out throughout the night and 2) learn your schedule and self control

By putting a crate outside the bedroom you will not accomplish the purpose of crate training - you are merely confining.

Berners are a very sensitive breed designed to always be by their owners' side unlike other independent breeds so this is a breed that learns best by having the opportunity to sleep next to you, and therefore this is what I recommend.

Your pup is barking because he is now awake, ready to go and sitting in the living room all alone. If you want him to stay quiet longer and wait longer, the training dictates that you allow him to potty, quietly passify and tell him to wait.....gradually getting more and more time from them until they can hold it through the night and respect your schedule.

When a pup barks in the crate, it is a signal to allow him out to potty so this is ok to do...but then he should go back in the crate and told to be quiet until you get up and let him out. Giving him something to quietly occupy him can often help (quiet toy or stuffed Premier/Kong toy)

FYI - Berners don't do well in crates longer than 5 months or so - they simply are too big and can't sleep comfortably, will start waking up early and making noise due to discomfort so just be prepared for that.

Rachel

I just wanted to post a brief update! My husband and I made the decision to let Enzo sleep in our bedroom on his own bed. Things have been great. I'm getting to sleep much longer and Enzo seems to be happy to be with us all night long. He curls up on his bed and doesn't wake up until my alarm goes off or he has to go to the bathroom. I'm so happy we have solved the problem!

Originally Posted by k1cart

I just wanted to post a brief update! My husband and I made the decision to let Enzo sleep in our bedroom on his own bed. Things have been great. I'm getting to sleep much longer and Enzo seems to be happy to be with us all night long. He curls up on his bed and doesn't wake up until my alarm goes off or he has to go to the bathroom. I'm so happy we have solved the problem!

Great news! So happy to hear you decided to allow him to sleep with his pack

Rachel

we also get a much better nights sleep now we let Fynn sleep in our room (most nights) but he is the worlds worst snorer ,even worse than my Husband !! and also if he is too hot he pants all night and I have to put him out till he cools off

Originally Posted by Rowan

we also get a much better nights sleep now we let Fynn sleep in our room (most nights) but he is the worlds worst snorer ,even worse than my Husband !! and also if he is too hot he pants all night and I have to put him out till he cools off

Truman is the exact same way...our bedroom is on the second floor and he gets hot really quickly, so usually at around 2 a.m. I am l letting him outside to cool off before going back to bed.