My 12 week old pup is now getting me up at 3 a.m., 5 a.m., and wants to get up for the day no later than 6 a.m. Basically, if she fusses at all in the crate, I take her out. I don't think she has very good bladder control yet (she has "let go" on me twice this week when she woke up from a nap and I was carrying her outside, and she peed everywhere yesterday while playing "bark" with the other dog... I think if her bladder is full and she has any excitement she can't hold it). So, I don't want to ignore her if she needs to go. On the other hand, I don't want to create a pattern that will last forever if she is just fussing to get out. Your thoughts?
What do you use as your indicator that a puppy really needs to go out at night?
- Thread starter 621mum
- Start date
When you get up with your puppy throughout the night and she potties every time, that means that whatever she did was her indication. She's training you - your cue is the "fussing" in the crate.
The peeing while you're carrying her and while she's playing with the other dog do concern me, though. You might consider taking a urine sample to your vet just to make sure there are no problems.
The peeing while you're carrying her and while she's playing with the other dog do concern me, though. You might consider taking a urine sample to your vet just to make sure there are no problems.
Nyx needed to go out to potty at 4 in the morning at that age. And then again at 6. Another couple weeks or so and she was able to just wait for the 6 am potty, and a couple months later, she was able to wait until 7.
Welcome to puppyhood!!
You can try experimenting with the evening routine a bit - chane feeding times, pick up the water bowl early, more activities before bed so she's tired, moving the crate - there could be something that's waking her up.
Welcome to puppyhood!!
You can try experimenting with the evening routine a bit - chane feeding times, pick up the water bowl early, more activities before bed so she's tired, moving the crate - there could be something that's waking her up.
- Joined
- Jan 31, 2006
- Messages
- 6,444
- Likes
- 0
- Points
- 36
Your dog could have a problem with "excited urination"...
I have one like that and I know all about the "letting loose" problem...
as he has gotten older he has gotten better and I have started to learn how to handle him better... but when he was a puppy there were a lot of times we both ended up covered in Pee.
I have one like that and I know all about the "letting loose" problem...
as he has gotten older he has gotten better and I have started to learn how to handle him better... but when he was a puppy there were a lot of times we both ended up covered in Pee.
- Joined
- Jan 27, 2008
- Messages
- 66
- Likes
- 0
- Points
- 0
I have a little trick I use with puppies overnight. If I know the puppy gets up at 3am and 5am, I'll set my alarm at 2:30 and 4:30 (ick!) and wake the puppy up to go. I find that if a puppy gets used to waking you by fussing, they'll often wake you up earlier and more frequently. If she gets used to you waking her up to go, you'll end up being able to take her out later and less frequently.
Once you get her on this program, gradually push the times later and later... I usually push forward 15 minutes (to 2:45 and 4:45, etc., etc.) every 3-5 days. Eventually, everything gets pushed to the point where she's sleeping through the night.
All that being said, better safe than sorry if she fusses in the middle of the night while you're doing this... you should still take her out and give her a chance to go.
Be sure your middle of the night potty trips are strictly business... just a quick trip out without talking much or playing, feeding, etc. Otherwise, she may wake you up just to have some fun or a midnight snack!
Once you get her on this program, gradually push the times later and later... I usually push forward 15 minutes (to 2:45 and 4:45, etc., etc.) every 3-5 days. Eventually, everything gets pushed to the point where she's sleeping through the night.
All that being said, better safe than sorry if she fusses in the middle of the night while you're doing this... you should still take her out and give her a chance to go.
Be sure your middle of the night potty trips are strictly business... just a quick trip out without talking much or playing, feeding, etc. Otherwise, she may wake you up just to have some fun or a midnight snack!
Thanks, all!
I don't mind her getting up (ah, the joys of puppyhood) as I have raised puppies before and expected it. I just want to be sure I'm not creating a problem by going to her every time she fusses. She does pee/poo each time I take her out, so apparently she still needs to go. She didn't get up this morning until 4:30, but then was ready to be up for the day by 5:20 unfortunately : ) Lizzybeth, they did check her urine a few weeks ago and it was fine. If this keeps up, I'll have it checked again though. She usually only has those sudden accidents when she's had a lot of water (she drinks like a camel) and then about an hour later suddenly she just neeeeeeeeds to go!
Rebecca, I may have to give that trick a try. Now that you say it, I think it was what I did with our older dog as well.
Thanks!
I don't mind her getting up (ah, the joys of puppyhood) as I have raised puppies before and expected it. I just want to be sure I'm not creating a problem by going to her every time she fusses. She does pee/poo each time I take her out, so apparently she still needs to go. She didn't get up this morning until 4:30, but then was ready to be up for the day by 5:20 unfortunately : ) Lizzybeth, they did check her urine a few weeks ago and it was fine. If this keeps up, I'll have it checked again though. She usually only has those sudden accidents when she's had a lot of water (she drinks like a camel) and then about an hour later suddenly she just neeeeeeeeds to go!
Rebecca, I may have to give that trick a try. Now that you say it, I think it was what I did with our older dog as well.
Thanks!