April 19, 2011

Should I get up in the middle of the night with my 9 week old puppy?

Full Question:
We have just brought home a nine week old Rottweiler puppy--a female. I have read most of your web site and made a printout of the articles on housebreaking and teaching "No." This is my fourth dog and I have always used a professional trainer in the past for obedience training. Your opinions and advice on dog training remind me very much of a trainer in Michigan (who ended up becoming a good friend). That's why I come so often to your site for info.

At that to ask one simple question. In the article on housebreaking you do not mention getting up in the night with the dog. The first two nights we did get up in the night to take her out and she spent the night dry and clean. Last night I was awake at midnight, heard her whining and took her to the yard to relieve herself. This morning I heard her again about 5:30, but by the time I got to her she had already wet in the crate. She has no accidents in the house--only in the crate, and only twice. Should we be getting up during the night on a schedule to let her outside or should we assume that she will soon be able to "hold it" all night and just deal with the mess? I do thoroughly clean, and the spray with an odor neutralizer. Thanks in advance for your help, I'm amazed how quickly you answer given how busy you must be. I have not found a great trainer here in Jackson Mississippi so having this web site is wonderful.

Sincerely,
Sandy
Ed
Ed Ed's Answer:
If you can get up for a couple of weeks do so. It can be difficult for puppies that are 8 to 12 weeks of age. Usually after that they can hold it all night. It helps to pick the water up at 6:30 and have a couple of walks before bed time. Keep the crate area small and continue to clean it.

Even though you have had other dogs I would still recommend that you get my tape Your Puppy 8 Weeks to 8 Months. It’s not much money and it has 2 hours of solid information.

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