Change in overnight male RR behavior (13 month, intact) -- anyone experience something similar?
We have a 13-month old male (in tact) Rhodesian Ridgeback. We have wanted to wait at least a year to neuter him so he can grow in the best way and be the healthiest he can be. We had planned to schedule the surgery in the next few months.
He's very smart, and easy to train. He only has had 2 accidents in the house since the day we brought him home at 8 weeks old -- he was housebroken very quickly and was sleeping through the night by 4 months old. He's exceptionally sweet, easy to handle, and friendly with other animals (dogs, cats, horses, etc).
Recently, over the last 3-4 weeks, he has started getting up in the middle night (about 1-2am) consistently. Nothing has changed in our routine or his. No health symptoms, appetite changes, or anything like that. It does appear as though he is maturing in the sense that he is now marking outside (never inside) A LOT. He is asking to go out often throughout the day as well just to sniff and mark. Sometimes he doesn't even have to go pee.
Has anyone else experienced this with young male dogs? Our previous male was neutered young, so we are not sure. Could this new pattern of overnight behavior be linked to changes in his sexual maturity and thus, might change after neutering? Are there any other ways we could mitigate him getting us up at 1am every morning in the meantime?