My dog is 14 (I think), as she can't really hold it all the time, we always leave a pee pad out when we're not home/for overnight.

Anyway, for the past month or so, I don't know what her problem is! She has woken me up at 3am, 5am, and usually again just before 7am to go out. She isn't allowed upstairs, so she stands by the stairs and whines. If I don't come down, she barks, so usually I jump out of bed hearing her whine to avoid waking the kids up. Girls room have loud white noise on but still! If she keeps barking, it will wake them up.

Mind you I'm in my 3rd tri and already not sleeping well so this is REALLY not working for me. DH is currently stuck in the girls room, but it's not like I want ANYONE to be getting up MOTN for the dog! We love her endlessly and she is already spoiled rotten, but she has the pee pads!

I was jokingly saying I should get a muzzle for overnight, but in my sleep deprived pregnant stage, I don't know if I'm really joking. Would that be cruel?! Do I try to let her "bark it out" and let her realize no one is coming to let her out?