Changes in Morning Routines

Our morning routine has changed again. Ken and Rudy still get up first, about 5:30 or 6:00. Emme seems to know that she and I get to sleep in for another half hour or so. I wonder how she knows that. She just does. She never makes a fuss to get up with Ken and Rudy. She just waits until it is our turn. Ken and Rudy make waking up sounds, use the bathroom and go downstairs and Emme waits patiently in her crate. It makes it so much nicer when we get up in shifts. Less confusion and less excitement. Rudy has already gone outside to do his business and the coffee is made by the time we come downstairs.

After Ken and Rudy go downstairs, Emme and I sleep a little longer and then get up about 6:00 or 6:30. She waits until I wake up, turn on the bedroom light and get out of bed and then she begins to whimper with excitement. When Ken goes downstairs, he pushes the bedroom door shut, but does not latch it. Rudy never comes upstairs until I turn on the light and get up. He could come up and push the door open at any time, but he waits until he hears me getting up. When I open Emme's crate and go into the bathroom, Rudy dashes up the stairs to liberate Emme and to say good morning to me. Emme flys down the stairs to find Ken and Rudy visits with me until I go downstairs. How does he know that he is not to come upstairs into the bedroom until I get up? How does he know to wait? These dogs are so smart it is scary.