Yes, you should take a puppy out of its crate at night to pee, especially during the early stages of potty training. Puppies, particularly those under 16 weeks, often cannot hold their bladder all night, and it’s crucial to give them the chance to relieve themselves to avoid accidents and reinforce good potty habits.

Here’s how to manage nighttime potty breaks effectively…

How Often Should You Take a Puppy Out at Night?

• Under 12 Weeks Old – Most puppies at this age need to go out for a potty break once or twice during the night (typically around 3–5 hours after their last potty).
• 12–16 Weeks Old – At this stage, some puppies may be able to hold their bladder for 6 hours or so, but many still need a nighttime break.
• 16 Weeks and Older – By this age, puppies usually can hold it through the night for 7–8 hours, though every puppy is different.

How to Manage Nighttime Potty Breaks

• Set a Consistent Bedtime Routine
  • Take your puppy outside for a final potty break right before placing them in the crate for the night. This helps empty their bladder before bed and sets a consistent routine.
• Be Prepared for the First Wake-Up
  • Expect your puppy to wake you up during the night when they need to pee, especially in the early months. If they whine, cry, or make noise, it’s a good sign they need a potty break. Don’t ignore these signals—take them outside immediately.
• Limit Distractions
  • When you take your puppy outside at night, keep the environment calm. Use the same potty command you use during the day, and make sure the trip is quick and focused. Avoid playtime or long interactions that could wake them up too much.
• Be Quick and Quiet
  • Keep the potty break short and uneventful to avoid stimulating your puppy too much. This helps them go back to sleep quickly and helps reinforce the idea that night is for sleep, not play.

Should You Expect Your Puppy to Hold It All Night?

• Initially, no—it’s perfectly normal for young puppies to need multiple nighttime potty breaks. They have small bladders and are still learning how to control them.
• As your puppy gets older and their bladder capacity increases, they will gradually be able to hold it longer through the night. This is part of the natural progression of potty training.

How to Minimize Nighttime Potty Breaks

• Establish a Consistent Potty Schedule – During the day, take your puppy outside every 2–3 hours to help them build bladder control.
• Limit Water Intake Before Bed – While you shouldn’t deprive your puppy of water, consider limiting water intake about 1-2 hours before bedtime to reduce the likelihood of needing a potty break during the night.

What If Your Puppy Doesn’t Wake Up?

• If your puppy doesn’t wake you up to go potty, they might be sleeping too soundly. Set an alarm to take them out around the time they typically need to go, especially in the early weeks. If you consistently take them out and encourage them to relieve themselves, they will eventually learn to hold it through the night.

Yes, you should take your puppy out of its crate at night to pee if needed. Puppies can’t always hold it through the night, especially in the early stages of training. Be prepared to take them out for a potty break and gradually lengthen the time between breaks as they get older and their bladder control improves.