We created a monster (whining)...

[johann]

I always thought it was cute that Johann woke up my husband in the morning by whining a few times outside our bedroom door. He's a very good alarm clock.

Lately though, its gotten way out of hand. He used to whine, DH would get up and let him out, give him breakfast, then get ready for work. Now Johann has figured out that I'm still sleeping (I work overnights so I sleep pretty late on my days off).....and that he wants me to play. So he whines and barks and whines, and punches the door, and barks, and growls, and whines...and so on. It went on this morning for 25 minutes.

He did eventually stop and go lay down. But, every hour or so he'd wander over to the door, cry for a minute, then wander off and sleep. He has lots of toys, plenty of exercise, doesn't need to go outside....he just wants me to get up and pay attention to him.

I know we created this issue by getting up and letting him outside when he would whine. I'm hoping if we ignore the whining/barking/etc and only get up when he's quiet that will work to fix this. Its like when we first starting crate training and listened to the howling for a few nights....right? Any other ideas?

[baxtercruz]

I think you're on the right track with the cry it out method. He learned that whining worked that way, now he can learn that whining doesn't work that way.

Don't worry, you're not alone. Baxter has learn that if he woo-woos, I come to see what he's doing and talk to him ("Oh, he's so sad" in a baby voice)-usually he's upside down on the floor wanting attention. Now when he's playing with a toy, and jumps on our bed with it, and we're in the other room, if the toy drops off the bed he woo-woos so I will come pick his toy up off the floor and give it back to him. I am disgusted with myself. He doesn't like closed doors either; he will cry and head butt the door, and what happens? I open it. Time for some tough love in our house too, I think.

[iluvfrankie]

if u let him in what will he do?? my girl only wants to climb into bed with me and snuggle after a few mins of licks and jumps.

[Mesquite]

Boxers learn pretty quick and they can unlearn things just as quick. Our little Jake used to think that if he needed a 4 am tinkle break that meant it was also time to get up. It took awhile to get him settled down again. Now, even if I get up during the night, he ignores me. He's figured out that wake up time is when the alarm goes off.

We've also had a hard time keeping him out of the bathroom when we're bathing (scratches and whines at the door and lets himself in if we haven't closed the door all the way). I used to let him in, but he'd drive me crazy trying to "help" me bathe. Last night I ignored his pleas to get in and he settled down. When I opened the door after my bath he was sitting outside the door waiting for me.