Yes, you should wake a puppy at night to use the bathroom, especially during the early stages of potty training. Puppies, especially those under 16 weeks old, often cannot hold their bladder for the entire night, and they may need a potty break.
Here’s why and how to manage nighttime potty breaks…
Why You Should Wake Your Puppy
- Bladder Control
- Puppies have small bladders and limited control over them in the first few months of life. Most puppies cannot hold it for 8 hours at night, especially if they are younger than 12 weeks.
- By waking them for a potty break, you help prevent accidents and encourage good potty habits.
- Potty Training
- Waking your puppy up to go potty reinforces the idea that outside is the place to go. If you wait for your puppy to wake you up, they may have already gone inside the crate, making it harder to establish consistent potty routines.
- Taking them outside promptly when they need to go helps them understand the appropriate time and place for pottying.
- Preventing Accidents
- Puppies are likely to potty wherever they sleep if they’re not let out in time. A nighttime potty break helps avoid accidents in the crate, which can make your puppy uncomfortable and delay the crate training process.
When Should You Wake a Puppy for a Potty Break?
- Under 12 Weeks Old
- Puppies at this age need frequent potty breaks. You should wake them once or twice a night for a potty break, typically about 3–5 hours after their last potty before bedtime. They will often whine or fuss if they need to go, but it’s helpful to set an alarm to take them out if they don’t wake you.
- 12–16 Weeks Old
- By this age, many puppies can hold their bladder for 6 hours, but they still may need one nighttime potty break. Monitor their behavior and consider setting an alarm if you think they might need it.
- 16 Weeks and Older
- At this point, many puppies can hold it through the night, typically 7–8 hours, but it can vary by individual. If your puppy is still waking up to go potty, you might still need to take them out once during the night.
How to Wake Your Puppy for a Potty Break
- Set an Alarm
- If your puppy isn’t waking you up, set an alarm to take them out. Typically, 3–5 hours after their last potty break is a good window.
- Be Quick and Quiet
- When you take your puppy out at night, keep it low-key. Avoid playtime or interaction that might wake them up too much. Just take them out to potty, and then put them back in their crate once they’re done.
- Don’t Delay
- Don’t wait for your puppy to cry or fuss if you know they need to go. Taking them out before they have an accident will help them stay dry and comfortable and reinforce the idea that the crate is a safe place to sleep.
- Praise and Reward
- Once your puppy successfully goes potty, praise them softly and give them a treat (if they’re awake enough). This helps reinforce the positive behavior of going outside to potty.
What to Do If Your Puppy Sleeps Through the Night?
- Don’t wake them unnecessarily if they are already holding it and not fussing. If your puppy consistently sleeps through the night without accidents, they’re probably able to hold their bladder.
- Monitor the situation – If your puppy starts to wake up more frequently again, it may be time to return to setting an alarm for a potty break.
You should wake your puppy at night to use the bathroom, especially in the early stages of potty training. Most puppies under 12 weeks old need one or two potty breaks during the night. By setting a regular routine, being patient, and waking them as needed, you help establish good potty habits and prevent accidents in the crate.
