puppy sleeping later

Question
my 5 month old cattle dog doesn't sleep past 4:30. and this is almost every nite. when he wakes up we take him outside and then right back into his crate.well, he won't fall back asleep. he'll start to whine and then to bark. we let this go on for a half hour and then we'll finally wake up for good and then take him out to play with him. what can we do about this annoying behavior. i want to sleep again.

Answer
The Dog Whispered and his fans would suggest more exercise.  Spend all evening, every evening walking him, and he may sleep in to 9 AM.  There are limited other options if you want to have a life and your sleep.  Is he getting up at the first light?  If so, moving his crate where the morning sun doesn't come in could help.  something like a light or a coffee pot on a timer could also be giving him a clue.  Harder to deal with would be a neighbor leaving to be on the job early.

Better pack structure might bring better response to your efforts to quiet him.
The key to most behavior problems is approaching things using the dog's natural instincts.  Dogs see all the people and dogs in the household as a pack with each having their own rank in the pack and a top dog.  Life is much easier if the 2 legged pack members outrank the 4 legged ones.  You can learn to play the role of top dog by reading some books or going to a good obedience class. A good obedience class or book is about you being top dog, not about rewarding standard commands with a treat. Start at http://www.dogsbestfriend.com/

Here are some other things that may help.  

''Elevation for small puppies:  Sit on the floor and gently put your hands around your pup's middle, below his front legs, and lift him up.  He is facing you.  Hold him for 15 seconds.  Repeat until he no longer struggles.  If he is past 10-12 weeks, lift his front feet off the ground, but don't pick him up.  

Cradling for small puppies:  Hold your puppy gently on his back, as you would cradle a small baby.  If he struggles, hold him firmly until he quiets for 10-15 seconds.  With larger pups, you can do this as your sit on the floor, with your pup between your legs.

Quiet lying down:  Place your pup on the floor on his side, with all 4 legs pointing away from you.  Use your hands on his neck/shoulder area and middle, to hold him in this position.  When he is quiet, praise him.  Lengthen the time that you keep him quietly in this position.  When he accepts this position well, handle his paws and muzzle, while keeping him quiet.''

The quotes mean this isn't my original work.  It is copied from my Puppy Raising Manual.  I have long used these or minor variations of them, and they are very effective.  You may want to give him a belly rub while he is on his back too.  Helps bonding.  There is a big difference between him rolling over and demanding a belly rub, and you choosing a time to roll him over and rub his belly.  The latter cements your place as pack leader.  

Frankly if you find a real answer elsewhere, let me know.  We normally ge up at 6 AM.  Too many mornings one of us has to come down and quiet out 12 year old Lab before that.  She usually responds fairly well to down and quiet.