Puppy bed wetting
Discussion
We've got a 4month old Boxer who we are crate training.
Problem (or not) is that she still can't even last the night without wetting her bed, and more of a worry is that I'm sure sometimes she's actually doing it on her bed - we're talking at most 6 hours on her own. She doesn't cry or bark once she's down for the night.
Any ideas or should I be more patient?
Here she is
Cheers, ash
Problem (or not) is that she still can't even last the night without wetting her bed, and more of a worry is that I'm sure sometimes she's actually doing it on her bed - we're talking at most 6 hours on her own. She doesn't cry or bark once she's down for the night.
Any ideas or should I be more patient?
Here she is
Cheers, ash
I would lessen the gap for a few nights, will be a pain for you but will be fairly short lived hopefully, try midnight then 4am, see if her bed is dry at this point, if it is great, if not shorten the gap again. When you take her out keep it dark, quiet, minimal fuss when she wees, straight back to crate to bed. If successful slowly increase the gap by half an her (say every couple day) and see how it goes.
She's still young, some take til 6 months. I assume she is good during day. Good luck
She's still young, some take til 6 months. I assume she is good during day. Good luck
No no no Bex, never to bed striaght after a wee. If the dog likes the outdoors it will learn very quickly, "if I wee I go in". Yes nice and calm but its not slippers on by the back door and striaght in because your cold.
Wee, praise, little calm play, hug and comfort and off to bed.
As for the pup, just kick it out
Wee, praise, little calm play, hug and comfort and off to bed.
As for the pup, just kick it out
I can't imagine for one second that Bex was suggesting that once the deed is done the OP should then badger pup back indoors... I'd imagine (hope I'm right, Bex! ) that she was meaning, "once the deed is done, then back to bed", rather than "once the deed is done, piss around ('scuse the pun) outside for as long as you like then come back inside for a bit more playing, then up to bed when you're good and ready".
Which is the same thing you're trying to avoid, also!
OP - lessen the timeframe that she has to cross her legs for! Toilet immediately before bed, again a couple of hours later, and again a few hours after that... then up at the crack of a sparrow's fart for an early-morning toilet...
It will be horrific for you in the short-term, but worth it in the long run! (Our youngest dog took about 2 weeks to get the hang of it... two weeks of three-or-four-trips-outside-a-night.
Edit - actually, C3BER, I can't understand whether you're joking about a wife/pup play on words, or whether you're suggesting the OP play with his pup in the middle of the night?!
) that she was meaning, "once the deed is done, then back to bed", rather than "once the deed is done, piss around ('scuse the pun) outside for as long as you like then come back inside for a bit more playing, then up to bed when you're good and ready". Which is the same thing you're trying to avoid, also!
OP - lessen the timeframe that she has to cross her legs for! Toilet immediately before bed, again a couple of hours later, and again a few hours after that... then up at the crack of a sparrow's fart for an early-morning toilet...
It will be horrific for you in the short-term, but worth it in the long run! (Our youngest dog took about 2 weeks to get the hang of it... two weeks of three-or-four-trips-outside-a-night.
Edit - actually, C3BER, I can't understand whether you're joking about a wife/pup play on words, or whether you're suggesting the OP play with his pup in the middle of the night?!
Edited by Karyn on Friday 15th February 12:37
...I think the general rule of thumb for the last-thing-at-night and first-thing-in-the-morning toileting is not to come back inside until pup has toileted, and let them come in naturally, rather than being badgered back inside.
For the middle of the night trips, C3BER is right about not stressing the pup, so perhaps just nip out with them every few hours, keep it calm, and come inside again after a few minutes, whether or not pup has "been". (Chances are, if they need to go, they'll go pretty quickly, so a few minutes should suffice.)
Re the stress thing... I don't know that I'd ever take it as far as playing with pup at half 3 in the morning, but... strokes and folks!
For the middle of the night trips, C3BER is right about not stressing the pup, so perhaps just nip out with them every few hours, keep it calm, and come inside again after a few minutes, whether or not pup has "been". (Chances are, if they need to go, they'll go pretty quickly, so a few minutes should suffice.)
Re the stress thing... I don't know that I'd ever take it as far as playing with pup at half 3 in the morning, but... strokes and folks!
I meant middle of the night is not playtime, if she needs to go out, do it quietly with minimal fuss. otherwise pup will wake up too much and not settle well after going out for a night time wee, it will quickly learn to use the night time pee for attention rather than the deed of toileting.
I did not mean rush the pup to have a wee though. Hope that makes sense?
I did not mean rush the pup to have a wee though. Hope that makes sense?
I too say no love and hugs or play in the night (for the dog), toilet breaks should be to the point so as to avoid any other clingy habits that might develop as a result.
Another tip is to lift the pups water after 8pm so as to avoid big drinks which inevitably end in the need for the garden in the small hours. Free access to water at all other times of course.
Beautiful looking pup. When I was a young lad I hankered for a Boxer as it starred in a Peter and Jane book I once read. Ages me a bit
Stay patient with the pup and never tell her off for wet bedding. Obvious probably, but worth pointing out.
Nick
Another tip is to lift the pups water after 8pm so as to avoid big drinks which inevitably end in the need for the garden in the small hours. Free access to water at all other times of course.
Beautiful looking pup. When I was a young lad I hankered for a Boxer as it starred in a Peter and Jane book I once read. Ages me a bit
Stay patient with the pup and never tell her off for wet bedding. Obvious probably, but worth pointing out.
Nick
Any progress, OP?
Makes me sort of glad for our little madam. There was never any bed-wetting; it was always an imperial, short bark when stood by the door.
"One feels the need to relieve oneself. Drag thine arse out thy pit, humble servant. I don't care that it's 2.47am; I need you to open the doors!" All in one short bark!
Makes me sort of glad for our little madam. There was never any bed-wetting; it was always an imperial, short bark when stood by the door.
"One feels the need to relieve oneself. Drag thine arse out thy pit, humble servant. I don't care that it's 2.47am; I need you to open the doors!" All in one short bark!
trying not to be a doom monger but keep a close eye on this.
Not being able to control her bladder and excessive drinking were the first signs of the kidney problem that took our lab pup this week. At the time we put it down to her being a puppy, hindsight is a wonderful thing but if we had realised sooner maybe we could have done something?
Not being able to control her bladder and excessive drinking were the first signs of the kidney problem that took our lab pup this week. At the time we put it down to her being a puppy, hindsight is a wonderful thing but if we had realised sooner maybe we could have done something?
Karyn said:
Any progress, OP?
Makes me sort of glad for our little madam. There was never any bed-wetting; it was always an imperial, short bark when stood by the door.
"One feels the need to relieve oneself. Drag thine arse out thy pit, humble servant. I don't care that it's 2.47am; I need you to open the doors!" All in one short bark!
Not really sure. It's still rather hit and miss. I'm also a little concerned about the amount she drinks, so might pop her down the vet and check all is ok. Makes me sort of glad for our little madam. There was never any bed-wetting; it was always an imperial, short bark when stood by the door.
"One feels the need to relieve oneself. Drag thine arse out thy pit, humble servant. I don't care that it's 2.47am; I need you to open the doors!" All in one short bark!
If you are worried about the amount she's drinking, try and collect a urine sample to take with you to the appointment (fresh as poss). You could also measure her water intake over 24hrs and see if they think it's too much or not, is she on dry food? They do drink more on dry food compared to wet diet.
crashley said:
So, after a bunch of various tests to make sure all is good with the little menace, it transpires she has a urinary tract infection so she's now on a three week antibiotics course to clear it up. Hopefully this should put an end to her slightly wet nights. 
Aww, well done on getting her checked out, good call. Hope it clears up quickly for her (and you!)Gassing Station | All Creatures Great & Small | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff