Expert: Christine (Chris) Vassonei, APDT - 10/28/2009

Question
My 2 small dogs have gotten into the habit of getting up at 3-4 AM (the older one encourages the younger one) wanting to go out and eat breakfast.  I have tried changing their eating schedule, but have not not been able to encourage them to sleep until 7 or so.

Answer
So, are they able to go and fix their own breakfast?  Just kidding, sort of!  Obviously they can't, which means you must be "giving in" and getting up when they "tell" you to.

Depending on how long this has been going on, you may have already encouraged them to develop this as a habit.  This means that you may have to be even more steadfast in your effort to break the habit.  

When they try to get you up, pull the covers over your head or something and then just WAIT IT OUT.  They may bark, they may whine, but if you are patient and strong in your resolution not to get up, they will eventually give up.

Dogs don't require as much sleep as people, especially those who take naps throughout the day.  Don't expect them to actually go back to sleep for long; if they do, you're lucky.  

You could also have some "morning toys" reserved just for then; give them a nylabone or toy to keep them busy for a while, and when they get tired of that one, take it up and give them another.  Sometimes you can stretch it out for a while until you're ready to get up.