Hi
We have recently acquired a Springer Pup he was 8 weeks old when we got him and is now 16 weeks old he is the first Springer we have ever owned so he is providing us with lots of fun!

However up until a few days ago he would sleep right the way through the night and would wake up about 6.30ish which was fine but now he has started whining at all hours in the night, we find that we are getting up about 3/4 times a night to see to him. I have tried ignoring him but he can start barking and we dont want the neighbours to get annoyed so tend to go straight down, he normally just wants to go to toilet but the other night I let him out and he just stood around the garden!

What can we do to get him back into a routine of sleeping through the night without the whining? It seems that he no longer wants to hold it when he needs the toilet. Any advice much appreciated

I think you've answered your own question you are playing right into his paws! Pop round to see the neighbours or invite them round for a chat and to meet doglet (sorry you didn't give his name) and explain the problem you are having. Ask for their help and support for a couple of weeks; say you will even buy them earplugs if they will agree! Then sit it out, let him howl, whine or bark but just ignore it, you know he is warm, toileted and fed. Eventually, just like the child who is constantly "attention seeking", when ignored he will learn to settle.

Thanks for the reply, his name is Barney it just seemed weird taht all of a sudden he has started doing this, little monkey I will leave him tonight I think . He used to be so good but obviously knows I will come running when he barks.

I'm not sure where you leave him but all of these have helped us in the past:
A small light on
Radio playing quietly
A sheet over the crate
A warm wheatbag
one of my T shirts in with them

Has something scared him recently?

He was actually much better last night, he did start barking at god knows what time, but I had shut him in the conservatory so I went down and opened up the kitchen door and he stopped, he usually sleeps in the conservatory and has the run of the kitchen, but we decided to just put him in the conservatory so he couldnt hear us walking about upstairs.

I did also leave the radio on for him and I think that may have helped him.

As far as scares I dont think he has had any recently, its funny we had been taking him to puppy school and its since the last lesson that he has been playing up!

Just read your post, and love GillyB's ideas. You would make me feel all safe, Gilly!
With regard to the going out and not doing anything, I know it sounds like a joke but I have always used a command. "Moxie wee wee"As soon as she did it I'd say "good girl" and take her straight in. Useful still now when you want to go out and come in quickly, like at 11pm and it is pouring down.