exception...
Now I really have no experience in this, but the books I have been reading. Our first puppy is only 10 1/2 weeks old. He has and will hold it for up to 2-1/2 hours awake and up to 5 hrs asleep. If you take him out before he has to go, he whines and stares at the door. We make him relax and bring him back in. When we got him, he would "hang" out outside for like 15 mins. Between us learning his signs, and him learning going quickly gets him back in the warm house, things have been going great. "knock on wood", he has had one accident since thanksgiving morn. He is in the process of crate training, and only had an accident in there the first night we got him. I am not sure if he is an exception, but because he isn't allowed to do it in the house, it's not as easy for him. So I would have to think in his developing brain, that he is learning to hold it, so he has to go out less. On days like we had today, he hates the windy chill, so less times is better. A few other days where it was calm and cold, he loved playing outside for a short time, but still prefered to do his business and come back inside. I guess I feel like with the paper always available, she knows that she has the ability to go a hundred times if she would like. So therefore I would have to guess she is resisting "holding" it because she doesn't have too. Although funny to think about, if you could "go" anytime you wanted, wouldn't you. Standing in the grocery line, and you have to go, you would. Waiting for the bus or train, and you have to go, wouldn't you? But we can't, we have to hold it. She may have to learn that the paper isn't there and she has to wait 30 mins and go outside. IMO besides limiting water before bed, restricting water all the time could be considered cruel. She is a puppy, and needs to learn a lot, but one thing is not to have to seek water everywhere because her bowl isn't there. The one thing that has been told to me or I have read a ton, is persistence. It may take 50 or 100 times for them to figure it out, but think how much better it will make them as an adult dog. Just like raising children. Good Luck and you definitely have our thoughts!