How do I break my dog of the habit of waking me up at night, sometimes to go to the bathroom, usually to play?

First, be sure he/she is comfortable, not hungry or thirsty and doesn't

have to go potty. Assuming he doesn't, the hardhearted way of dealing with

this is to ignore it if you can. Eventually the puppy will stop whining

and go to sleep. A ticking alarm clock or radio may reassure him. Sometimes

a soiled garment with your body scent placed in his crate will do the same.

After a night or two, he will stop whimpering and go to sleep relaxed.

This approach may also lessen the likelihood of separation anxiety later

in life. The reason he is crying is that he is a pack animal that beds

down in groups. If you intend to make him (or her) a lap dog, you can place

its crate in your bedroom when you go to sleep. Be sure to take him outside

to relieve himself before placing him in the crate. If you come to reassure

him when he whines, it will reinforce his urge to whimper and make matters

worse. A consolation is that a puppy that begs for your attention by whimpering

is going to be a close member of your family when he grows up. Playing

with the puppy vigorously until he is sleepy just before bedtime also lessens

the problem. Use the NO! command once or twice if he continues to whine. We use this for puppies but it may work for your pet as well.

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First suggestion: have your vet check him out. As a general rule, sudden changes in toileting habits often are signs of illness, and should be evaluated promptly.

Once he's got a clean bill of health, or is being treated--if that doesn't solve the problem right there--you'll want to stop putting down water for him after about 7:00 pm--you can give him an ice cube or two, if he needs it. This will eliminate his actual need to go out, so you can safely ignore his requests to be free at oh-dark-thirty. As they are clever dogs, it shouldn't take him long to realize you aren't enjoying those midnight excursions.

If it's the going outside part, for my dog, which had a similar habit of needing to go in the middle of the night, I cut him back on water, not allowing him any after 5pm and letting him out before going to bed. Sometimes when he would wake me up to go, he'd get really ancy and excited, which looked like he wanted to play by the way he panted and ran around and jumped up and down, but really only wanted to go outside, and are sometimes so happy for you to listen to them they get over excited at that time of night and have a hard time settling down. So if I were you, cut back on the liquids.

Take the dog out at night before you go to bed, if it's 2years old he can definitely hold it's pee till morning. If you have to go during the night, take him but no playing or any prolonged contact - just walk him outside,do business and go off all very business like.

A walk before bed, toilet and earplugs.

Did you punish/ scold her for waking you up at evening? if so, you have gotten a bad habit on your palms, the toughest to break. if it relatively is so, she would bypass interior the abode to maintain from having to wake you up. save her in her kennel till you're dressed and in a position to enable her out. Then there is not any time for her to bypass interior the abode. Its right now from the kennel to exterior.

you have to show your dog that you are the pack leader, not him. at night, keep him in a separate room than everyone else. if he starts to bark or whine or what ever, jess don't pay attention. i know it sounds harsh, but dogs need to be shown authorization, or else they assume themselves as the leader. they'll end up happier this way, if you show you rule.