My 4-month-old puppy won't signal to go out at night. What to do?

Related Answers from Veterinarians

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  Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

  Veterinarian

  Published on March 14th, 2019

  I would use the same methods as with potty training a puppy. Start by keeping Lirril on a regular feeding schedule, and taking away her food between meals. Take her out to potty first thing every morning, and once every 30 minutes to an hour. Always make sure she goes out after meals, first thing when she wakes up from a nap, last thing before bedtime at night, and right before you leave the house. Take her to the same spot each time to go potty. Her scent there will encourage her to go. Stay with her outside each time she goes to potty, at least until she is fully house trained. When she goes outside, praise her and give her a treat. You might want to consider crate training as part of her house training. It allows you to keep an eye on her for signs that she has to go potty, and will teach her to hold it until you put her outdoors. The crate needs to be big enough for her to stand up, turn around, and lie down, but it should not be big enough for her to go potty in.

  

  1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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  Answered By Jessica Desrosiers

  Veterinary Technician

  Published on August 20th, 2019

  Totoro is very young and likely still very confused by the potty training. A good first step is to be consistent - if you're taking him outside, always take him outside instead of switching between outside and potty pads, as that may confuse him more. Puppies can also take a good 20 minutes or so to realize they need to pass stool, so you may need to keep him outside with you longer until he actually has the urge to go, before bringing him back inside. Running around or playing a game outside can help get things moving so he goes a little sooner as well, and be sure to praise him when he does go. At his young age, he should be going out to go potty every 1-2 hours, so taking him out more often may also help.

  

  1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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  Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

  Veterinarian

  Published on January 2nd, 2017

  Congrats on your new dog! I would not punish him for going to the toilet in the house, that will not work to house train him. House training a puppy can takes weeks to months to happen, so patience is needed. It is normal what he is doing, and I will give you a method I recommend for getting him house trained. Start by keeping your puppy on a regular feeding schedule, and taking away his food between meals. Take him out to potty first thing every morning, and once every 30 minutes to an hour. Always make sure he goes out after meals, first thing when he wakes up from a nap, last thing before bedtime at night, and right before you leave the house. Take him to the same spot each time to go potty. His scent there will encourage him to go. Stay with him outside each time he goes to potty, at least until he is fully house trained. When he goes outside, praise him and give him a treat. You might want to consider crate training as part of his house training. It allows you to keep an eye on him for signs that he has to go potty, and will teach him to hold it until you put him outdoors. The crate needs to be big enough for him to stand up, turn around, and lie down, but it should not be big enough for him to go potty in.

  

  1Pet Parents found this answer helpful