4am wake up calls

I'd move the crate into the bedroom.  If you don't already, take up any water by 8:00 pm.  Some dogs overdrink and I never let puppies or dogs that are peeing in their crate have any water after 8:00 pm and I always made sure they actually pee when they went out for their last potty break by always going out with them and watching. If he's started hiking his leg, he may not be fully emptying his bladder.  Make sure he has ample time to walk around and do his business. He should be able to hold his bladder at this age.  You may already being do all this.

I'd continue to take him out when he barks but only on a leash.  No play time, no petting, no treats or fun.  Praise when he potties outside but that's all. Sometimes dogs learn that they can wake us up and we'll take them out and then they get to play or interact with us.  Making the whole thing all business may help.

If you notice that he seems to be peeing more often than seems normal, during the day, you might want to have him checked for a urinary tract infection.  Sometimes the first symptoms are frequent urination.  I'm sure you already know that but just wanted to mention it just in case.

Good luck.

We've gone through this.  The only thing that helped was time, but we have slid back again.  Sadie is 8 months old.  We went on vacation.  Our first few days back, she actually slept late!  (7:30 0r so.  She had been getting up 6. 6:30 all summer.)  Now we are back to between 4 and 5 a.m.  She even escaped from her crate (or was let out by my 9 year old) and peed on the couch.  Then the next day peed in her crate.  So  now of course, I'm getting up so she doesn't pee.    I'm not sure if this is readjustment from our return, but we were gone a week.  She stayed with a friend.  We've been back for 2 weeks now.

Hi another helpful tip, went through this with my Rottie. Give her some extra exercise later in the evening if you can. Maybe a late evening walk and some games or training to stimulate her brain and burn some physical energy. Good luck!

Jean Donaldson just posted on my wall the best housetraining tip she has seen in over 25 years!  Here is the link:  www.lovewagsatail.com/webinar-housetraining-123.

Anything Jean says I agree.  Yes it is $25.00 but way less expensive than replacing all the carpeting in your home!!!

mgirvin,

I saw Jean's FB post yesterday.  We obviously share a great appreciation for some of the best trainers/behaviorists. :)  Great idea to post the link here. I haven't watched it, have you?  If Jean Donaldson endorses it I'd say it's well worth the money.  As you said, much cheaper than replacing carpet.

Just fwiw (and Jackie already says what I do) we **always** have crates in the bedroom.  Dogs historically want to "sleep with the pack" (it's a big deal in the dog world -- sleeping "with" pretty much makes you part of the pack).  

But they are pack animals -- they are not solitary.  So keeping them in a whole different part of the house alone??  They don't have that "part of the pack" comfort and I honestly think that's important.  Just the sound of communal breathing breathing (and to dogs there is actually a "smell" to sleeping bodies that is comfort and a recognizable scent to them) often will allow them to sleep thru.  

We humans  *know* there is a "smell" to sleep (which is why most of us dive for the shower upon waking) but as usual dogs seem to see it more simply and think "oh everyone's asleep - me too".

My husband is one of those people who hits his 5 minute snooze umpteen times in the morning.  But he does NOT want to be rousted out of bed by the dogs.  We have 3 that sleep in the bedroom and all 3 of them know the tiny "different" click his clock makes when he hits "off" rather than "snooze" and you'd think all 3 were launched out of bed like torpedos when they hear "off".  

They do a better job at ignoring the other 6 - 10 "snoozes" than I do *sheesh*