Puppy potty training help?
I’m going to be using a crate to potty train my puppy and I have a few questions…
1. Should he sleep in the crate over night or can he sleep in my bed with me?
2. At what age should I start putting him on a leash to take him outside?
3. Do I need to wake up in the middle of the night to take him out?
He’ll be 8 wks when I get him.
Tags: google, puppy, script type, sleep, text javascript, train, wks
Potty training a puppy | Estella | 
July 9, 2010 7:50 pm
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By K, July 9, 2010 @ 7:50 pm
You don’t say how old your puppy is.
I would have him sleep in the crate for at least a week after you bring him home…if he can hold it all night (and many puppies can…even if they can’t hold it during the day) then if you want him to sleep in bed with you, then by all means do that.
You should always, always leash your dog if they’re not in a securely fenced area. Always. As long as the vet says he’s safe to go out, go ahead and leash him up.
If the puppy is very young (10 weeks or younger…and they shouldn’t be away from their families that young yet) you may have to get up once a night to take him out. I think it probably varies with each puppy. My dog held it through the night for months and then went through a streak where she had to go out at 3:00 a.m., then went back to holding it all night.
By keezymama, July 9, 2010 @ 7:50 pm
Google "Dunbar House training" and follow that system
By Alicia, July 9, 2010 @ 7:50 pm
crate training is excellent for housetraining. usually you leave the puppy in the crate for a while and let him outside, if he does his business reward him and let him stay out of the crate to play, if he doesn’t go then straight back to the crate he goes. i would also leave him in the crate at night, this way they learn to train their bladder to hold it since they will not sleep where they do their business. it can be very frustrating but be patient! once he is free from any accidents in the house, then i would let him stay in the bed with you. as for the leash, i would start asap!
By skidboots, July 9, 2010 @ 7:50 pm
1. My puppy stays in his crate all night (he holds it) I immediately take him out in the morning.
2. My puppy was three months old when I started him on a leash and taking short walks. (I put a collar on him for about a week before using the leash.)
3. No you shouldn’t have to wake up during the night. I had my young pup on my bed for about two weeks, he then learned he could jump down. I woke up to a complete potty mess (diarrhea) I wouldn’t keep the pup on your bed. He could get hurt or fall off and destroy wherever he goes while you’re asleep.
By livelaughlove, July 9, 2010 @ 7:50 pm
He should definately be crated while you sleep or while you are out and unable to watch him. He can be out on a leash right away, if you intend for him to go out for walks and such. If you try later, he will go crazy on the leash. I would wake up and take him out if he starts whining, but don’t wake him up just to take him. Also, feed him at certain times and don’t just leave his food sitting out. Take him as soon as you feed him, and walk him around until he goes. You can let him out of the crate while you sleep or when your gone once you trust that he wont do that in your home.
By lovesdogs, July 9, 2010 @ 7:50 pm
I recommend that to start you buy some Puppy Training Pads ‘Hartz’ does some good ones, place them on the floor and when ever it looks like s/he needs to pee place him/her on the mat. this doesn’t take too long, every 2-3 weeks you should move the pad closer to the door, step by step, you also need to keep the door open after s/he has mastered this technique, you should place the pad outside. You should also be taking him out every hour.
He should sleep in the crate, so he gets used to it, don’t lock him up he will SCREAM! after 6pm i highly recommend you take away the water but first thing when you wake up you need to take him, remember he is just a puppy and he can’t hold it for too long.
You should be getting him when he is around 8 weeks- at that age you should start to get him use to the idea of the leash, it takes time, remember to make sure that his collar isn’t to loose or tight, if you can just fit two fingers in, that’s a perfect size.
If you do take away the water you shouldn’t need to take him in the middle of the night. When he cries you have to ignore him at night. That’s the only way.
Hope this helps, GOOD LUCK!
By Weimaraner Mom, July 9, 2010 @ 7:50 pm
1. Should he sleep in the crate over night or can he sleep in my bed with me?
Answer: That’s a personal decision if he sleeps with you then he will wake you up if he has to potty, but if you are a heavy sleeper I don’t recommend it. If you decide to have him sleep in the crate make sure it’s located in your room beside your bed so that you can hear if he needs to go out and also it will help with separation anxiety.
2. At what age should I start putting him on a leash to take him outside?
ANSWER: It is never too young to start so start now, attach his leash to his collar in the house and let him walk around with it and get used to it, then try leading him at first they will resist if you try to lead so a lot of encouragement is needed along with treats, never force him you’ll make him resent the leash.
3. Do I need to wake up in the middle of the night to take him out?
ANSWER: Yes absolutely, until he is old enough to hold it all night long (6 months and older) then he must get out at least once per night otherwise he’ll start using his crate (or your bed) as his toilet. a puppy can only hold it in hours his age in months 2 months = 2 hours, it’s not fair to make him "hold it" all night because he cannot, he has no bladder or sphincter control until at least three months of age.
These websites are extremely helpful and pick up as many books as you can on puppies, housebreaking and training, they are a must for first time dog owners.
Good luck
By Cathy, July 9, 2010 @ 7:50 pm
The answers to your questions depend on the age of your puppy. If your pup is 3 months old then only leave him in the crate for no longer than 3 hours. Probably should take him out in the middle of the night if he’s 4 months or younger. You should leash train him while still a youngster. I think at over 5 months of age the dog can be in his crate throughout the entire night, which is good because he’ll learn to hold his bathroom duties. When you get him to go potty 100 percent outdoors, then he can sleep in your bed. Enjoy and love him with your whole heart. Remember you are his friend, his love and his whole life.
By Emily, July 9, 2010 @ 7:50 pm
ok Well this is what I did and im ONLY 14yrs old:
1. You can have a choice: (a)The crate(put down some puppy trainig pads in it’s crate) or (b) On your bed, and just put down some trainig pads on the bed, or you can buy puppy diapers,or baby diapers and just cut a little hole for the dogs tail to go in, and put it on your dog right before you and your dog go to bed(take the dog out before you go to bed also)
2. I put my dog on the leash when it was 6 months old
3. No need to wake him up, HE will wake you up!! by barking, nudging, or wimpering(crying)
**** My dog is now 1 1/2 yrs old and she is absolutley fine with what I did… she is now house trained!!!