Puppy potty troubles..?

May 2021 5 170 Report

Puppy potty troubles..?

We recently adopted a 5-6 month old puppy. For the first few nights, he was allowed to stay in the house without being in a kennel. He never woke us up to go outside and never messed in the house. But then he started chewing on things while we were still sleeping so we had to put him in a kennel. Now, he wakes us up every night with his whining wanting to go outside. It's very annoying because we were getting a full night sleep when he was outside the kennel. How can I break him of this newly found habit? My husband and I are expecting a baby in a few months and I would like to get as many full nights of sleep as I can now before the new baby gets here. Any advice would be very helpful.

Oh, and I've been picking up his water and food after about 8 o'clock to see if that would help, but it hasn't.

Pets / Dogs

Tina

Verified answer

Since the reason why you're putting him inside the kennel is because he's chewing, I think you should let him outside his kennel. However, only allow him into a safe room, where there is nothing that he can chew that is not good for him. If you don't have a room where he can chew his own toys and not your furniture or anything like that, use an exercise pen to contain him. Maybe you can also get some activity toys to keep him from getting bored in the middle of the night. Activity toys also provide mental stimulation, so he would probably be tired after playing and won't be whining and waking you up.

Best of luck for you and your puppy!

lizzie

I would say to use a bell. Take the dog outside every hour if you can, and ring the bell every time you go outside. Eventually the puppy catches on and rings the bell when he needs to go. Make the puppy go in a particular spot every time. also, I would recommend litter box training if he is a small dog. Maybe even a dog door so he can go out?

Maybe put a divider in the kennel. Leave him enough room to sleep. Dogs do their business in one corner and sleep in the other. They don't like to sleep on urine and feces, so you should be good. Maybe keep his kennel in your room. I know it would keep you up, with the baby coming and all, but it helps to keep an eye on your puppy at night.

My now-dead Westie was a pain to train, considering how stubborn the breed is. The bell thing worked for him, and so did a litter box at night. Hope this helps!