Peeing in the Crate
- Thread starter dakota NB
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Dakota - I've split your question off into a new thread, because it really is a separate question.
Now, you have a ten week old puppy. If she can actually hold it all night without peeing in her crate or needing to go out for a potty stop, then she's doing fabulously
I'd estimate that 12-15 weeks is the "norm" for puppies to manage that.
During the day though, it's a whole different ballgame. Puppies (and everyone else too - you and me included) can hold it longer overnight because bodily functions, including urine production, slow down during sleeptime. You just can't measure day against night and get the same answer.
At 10 weeks, the longest you can reasonably expect your puppy to be able to hold it is 3 hours. That assumes she's "empty" before she goes in the crate, and that she naps while she's in there. When baby puppies are awake, they need to go every half hour to an hour - plus after feeding, drinking, wakening from a nap, and immediately after playing.
She's too young yet to understand that she can only potty outdoors. Contrary to popular belief, dogs don't come with any inbuilt instinct at all about pottying outdoors - they have to be taught, and it does take a little time. Think about it - for just about the whole of her little life so far, she's been able to potty anywhere and any time at all with her mother (or breeder) to clean it up. You can be accident free very quickly, but only if you're incredibly vigilent about watching her for signs that she needs to go, and making sure she gets out every hour to relieve herself.
As for the crate - do make sure she's relieved her self immediately before she goes in there. Then I'd suggest that she doesn't have too much room, just enough to stand up and turn around is fine for now. That way it is impossible for her to wet the crate then go and sit at the other end. You still can't leave her too long, or she's going to HAVE to go anyway, and you need to avoid that if possible. As she gets a bit bigger, and with better bladder control, you can start to give her a little more space in there.
Do browse these forums, and do a search on crate training. There is plenty of information in previous threads that is bound to help you out some. Good luck
Now, you have a ten week old puppy. If she can actually hold it all night without peeing in her crate or needing to go out for a potty stop, then she's doing fabulously
I'd estimate that 12-15 weeks is the "norm" for puppies to manage that.During the day though, it's a whole different ballgame. Puppies (and everyone else too - you and me included) can hold it longer overnight because bodily functions, including urine production, slow down during sleeptime. You just can't measure day against night and get the same answer.
At 10 weeks, the longest you can reasonably expect your puppy to be able to hold it is 3 hours. That assumes she's "empty" before she goes in the crate, and that she naps while she's in there. When baby puppies are awake, they need to go every half hour to an hour - plus after feeding, drinking, wakening from a nap, and immediately after playing.
She's too young yet to understand that she can only potty outdoors. Contrary to popular belief, dogs don't come with any inbuilt instinct at all about pottying outdoors - they have to be taught, and it does take a little time. Think about it - for just about the whole of her little life so far, she's been able to potty anywhere and any time at all with her mother (or breeder) to clean it up. You can be accident free very quickly, but only if you're incredibly vigilent about watching her for signs that she needs to go, and making sure she gets out every hour to relieve herself.
As for the crate - do make sure she's relieved her self immediately before she goes in there. Then I'd suggest that she doesn't have too much room, just enough to stand up and turn around is fine for now. That way it is impossible for her to wet the crate then go and sit at the other end. You still can't leave her too long, or she's going to HAVE to go anyway, and you need to avoid that if possible. As she gets a bit bigger, and with better bladder control, you can start to give her a little more space in there.
Do browse these forums, and do a search on crate training. There is plenty of information in previous threads that is bound to help you out some. Good luck
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