Our Cocker (15 months) has recently started barking a lot at night. He has run of the kitchen and living room. We've tried shutting off one or the other room. If he's in the kitchen he sits and keeps an eye out of the patio doors/ window and goes nuts at cats/squirrels/wind etc and if he's in the living room he hears things at the front of the house - cars/people coming home from work (we are in a little cul de sac with shift workers around). I'm wondering whether to crate him over night in the living room to stop him rushing to the window to watch what's going on but he hasn't been in a crate for quite some time now, probably not since last Christmas when we stayed away over night. Never chews or acts in a disruptive way so we've not needed it.
He doesn't need a wee because we've done the opening the door and taking him out and he doesn't want to know, he has a wee before we go to bed. We've generally ignored him and he calms down but a few times a night he really goes for it. Do you think reintroducing a crate is just asking for more problems or might it be worth a go? I've read they can feel more secure but having taken it away and been fine for so long I just wonder whether it'll upset more than help?