Nighttime Potty Training Tips

Potty training a puppy is a straightforward process, but it does require patience and diligence. Accidents will happen, and getting angry will only frighten and confuse the puppy. While potty training during the day is simply a matter of paying attention to the puppy's needs, potty training at night requires some preparation and planning.

  1. Crating

    • A crate serves as the puppy's den, and its primary advantage is that puppies will hesitate before soiling their den. It also gives the puppy a place where they can feel secure. Place the crate in your bedroom so that the puppy can be reassured by your presence. This also ensures that the puppy can wake you up if he needs to use the potty during the night.

    Limit Water After the Last Meal

    • After the puppy has eaten for the last time in the day, remove his water until morning. This will prevent the puppy from soiling its crate at night, and it can also keep the puppy from waking up repeatedly or sleeping restlessly.

    Frequent Chances to Relieve Itself

    • Puppies have smaller bladders than full-grown dogs, and they need to relieve themselves often. To prevent the puppy from soiling the floor or its crate at night, make sure that you take it out right before you go to bed. The puppy should also be given a chance to relieve itself after eating, playing or any type of excitement.

    Plan for Midnight Potty Break

    • For puppies under the age of four months, a potty break in the middle of the night is necessary. Set your alarm for a point midway from the puppy's last potty break before you slept and the first potty break in the morning. Get up and take the puppy out, but do not offer to play. If the puppy starts to see the middle of the night as playtime, you may have the dog waking you up for that purpose.