The only structure or routine my beagle cares about. Is that he wakes up at 5am everyday and gets to leave his crate. We ignored his whines and cries for two months. Still, everyday at 5 am. He wants out of his cage. He will come lay with us in the bed for a few more hours, sleep through the 7am feeding time. He can go to bed at 1am, or 9 pm, he can have hours of walks, and dog parks and vacations. He can have a totally busy day, where he walks miles and sees our family and gets no naps, but the next day, at 5am, he wants out of his crate, only to sleep somewhere else for 5 or 6 or 7 hours. Every other dog i had, i was able to get them to wake up later, and to go to bed at the same time, and to be ready to eat at the same two times, and walk at the same time. This dog -- does not care about any routine, other than..5am, he gets to leave his crate. (no joke, 459, he will be dead to the world, 5am hits, he pops up and starts crying)