Clockwork

Jack has upgraded his sleeping quarters from a crate on the floor with some blankets and a 15% stuffed pillow (he pulled all the stuffing out himself, not us) to a huge and comfy king size bed with lots of covers and two warm bodies to sleep between! (At least when he behaves he has!)

I've been pushing to have Jack sleep in our bed for a while. It's still winter - the more, the merrier, and warmer, right?! I don't think Brian, on the other hand, was ready to share half of his space! But he's come around, and we've done a few trial nights to see how Jack does. We've got a good routine down, and we are well aware of the rules:

1. Jack gets a treat for laying in the bed after we've actually gotten in and under the covers. (If we did things in any other order, we'd never get comfortable, and we'd never have any covers.)

2. After about 5:30 am, any sign of movement, change in breathing, sound of voice, or eye contact makes Jack think that it's time to get up (rolling over to get more comfortable is included, as is asking what time it is), and he will not let you go back to sleep if he sees/hears/feels this. In his world, it's time to get up, and if you don't get up with him he will plop down right on top of you and nudge his wet puppy nose in your face until you get up.

Before the time change, if Jack were sleeping with us his no turning back point (as in there is no way this dog is going back to sleep point) was precisely at 6:41 am. After the time change, it is nearly 7:00 am every morning. I swear this dog is like clockwork.

I'm tempted to stop setting my alarm clock. Can you see the 'my dog didn't wake me up' excuse flying if I am late for work?!

Perhaps I'll stick with the alarm...for now!

Smack dab in the middle! (Brian was right to be hesitant!)