@lvoss:

If putting him in the yard is not working, do you have time to give him a walk instead? Mine get a morning walk, they enjoy having that time with me and/or my husband. They also enjoy participating in our morning routine like being able to lick wet toes when you get out of the shower and catching some morning rays of sun before we leave which our backyard doesn't get in the morning.

I also wonder how is overall energy level and his appetite? You say he doesn't want to get out of bed in the morning nor does he want to eat his breakfast but how is he when you get home in the evening? It could be that a vet check is in order if he seems to have a significant change in energy and appetite.

If it is just his morning meal, try a Kong with his breakfast in it. You can mix it with a little yogurt and pumpkin and then give it to him in his crate. If you think the crate is the issue, can you give him more space like an ex-pen or gate off an area like the kitchen.

I suppose I could get up and walk him in the mornings. It's just difficult because I already get up at 5:30. I work in DC & have an hour plus commute from the suburb I live in. I do walk him in the afternoons when I get home. Those have been less frequent lately with summer storms coming through every evening.

Energy wise, he is fine when I get home. He darts out of his crate, ready for our walk. I let him run in the backyard after our walk for a little while. Then, typically before bed, I will chase him around the house, play some fetching or something similar to really wear him out.

I think it's more that he just doesn't want to be crated during the day. My roommate won't let me leave him out during the day though. She does not just laugh it off when he has detroyed things. He did rip a hole in her new carpet & well, he's lucky we are even still living at the house! Haha. A kong put in his crate is a really great idea. I will have to try that!

Ninabeana26