What do I do about 4am bathroom breaks if don't feel comfortable going outside at 4am.?

Question

Dog is a 12 week old cockapoo. He is doing a good job with house training during the day (we are using the crate training method!), but I am not comfortable going outside at 4am. Should I try puppy pads at 4am and take them up after he's done? Will this confuse him and ruin the house training? Are there other options for 4am bathroom breaks?

Answer 1

If you didn't want to take you dog outside during the night, early morning hours WHY did you get a dog in the first place????

This is just one part of DOG/ANIMAL ownership. You have to do things you wouldn't normally have to do!!!

Just take the poor dog out. Nothing will happen to you!

Answer 2

Puppy pads are a bad idea -- you don't want him thinking it's ok to go indoors (the smell stays even though the pads go). The 4 am breaks won't last too long -- my Eskipoo puppy (now 8 months old) was able to last through the night by about 3 1/2 months of age. Unfortunately, going outside at 4 am with a new puppy is usually part of the whole puppy thing. You might try keeping him up later, and taking him out immediately before bedtime.

Answer 3

NOPE Use the crate method, go out at 4am and trust your lil pup that they will WARN you if danger is about.. they will - promise. ALWAYS take a flashlight - have it next to the leash and teach the dog 'hurry up'!

Now as it gets old, the 4am will prob make it to 6am or 7am.. it's just got such a lil bladder right now the dog can't help it.. stick with it hun.... doing great and the 4am runs should NOT last forever.. just part of puppyville.

Grats on your baby :D

Answer 4

There is no need to take him out at 4 am. Get him on a regular feeding schedule and limit his water a few hours before bedtime. Take him out within a 1/2 hour after he eats. Young pups when they are also active playing will need to use the bathroom more often. If you are taking him out, the puppy pads will confuse him because although it would be going on the pad but the pad is in the house. He may relate it to being allowed to potty in the house. Litter box training has also gotten to be very popular with dog owners. This is good for apartment living when you cant get your dog outside fast enough. I used this method for my smaller dogs during the winter to avoid taking them out in the cold snow.

Answer 5

Since you've already started him on convenient crate training, simply keep him in his crate throughout the night. Be sure NOT to feed him anything after 8pm or let him drink water after 9pm; walk him between 10pm-11pm, and he'll be good to go for the rest of the night and shouldn't wet or soil his crate home.

If he whines or doesn't want to stay in the crate at night, I've found that placing a ticking wind-up clock near the cage to be helpful (reminds him of his momma's heartbeat and calms/soothes his mind), as well as wearing an old t-shirt for a few hours and placing it in with him to sleep with as this will give him your scent throughout the night and make him feel calm and connected to you, as well. One or two chewtoys (a small rope bone and perhaps a little rubber or plastic squeaker toy that he won't chew up -- be sure NOT to go overboard and fill his crate with toys), turn a small radio nearby on low tuned into a soft music station, and he'll soon be sleeping soundly all through the night. If he should wake up, DO NOT take him out of the crate or he'll realize that if he whines or makes noise, you'll let him out.

Perhaps the most important thing to remember in housebreaking while crate training is that, no matter what, make sure that taking him outside to relieve himself is the VERY FIRST thing you do as soon as you wake up. If he hears you stirring, he's gonna get excited to see you and could possible have an accident in his crate. Before you brush your teeth, go to the bathroom yourself, or start that coffee maker, make it a habit to take him outside first...and that will give you both a beautiful start to another great day, accident free!

If you do all of this, he'll soon take to his crate like his home away from home, won't have any accidents, and even go in his crate all on his own to play and/or sleep during the day if you leave it open and accessible to him 24/7. He'll soon feel safe and secure and be a happier little puppy all around!

So, kudos on beginning his smart crate training; it will make housebreaking at night so much easier and quicker. Just be patient, give him lots of praise each time he uses the bathroom outside like you want him to, and good luck on enjoying your new addition to your family!!

Answer 6

You could try using puppy pads at night but put it next to the door that he uses to go outside. The only thing that I'm wondering is if he will start going there when the pad is not there. I wish there was an easy answer to this, but I don't think there is. Good luck to you.

Answer 7

I wakened at 7 i'm nevertheless very violent. i visit't bypass decrease back to sleep, so i'm rather sending emails and calling pals. no longer something like a visit weekend to allow the international comprehend the way you sense. Wanna burn some bridges with me? I do hate absolutely everyone i'm pondering throwing my cat out the window and blockading all my contacts.

Answer 8

I am also currently crate trainging our dogs. I talk them for a walk before I go to bed and then put them in the crate and they are fine till the morning when they are let out. They learn that once they are in the crate they need to hold it till they are let out. Just make sure he potties before you go to bed and everthing will be fine.

Answer 9

Take the dog out, dont be afraid of the dark

Answer 10

a combination of pads and going outside is fine.