12 weeks is young however Buddy was 14 1/2 wks when I brought him home.
I crate trained him and I never put food or water in there at night.
How could he learn to hold his bladder if water was in there with him?
It would be setting him up for failure. He had two accidents at the beginning
that's it. He was completely create trained after a week. Perhaps because
he was a larger Yorkie I don't know. I did get up at night with him a couple times and took him out. My vet said to stop because I am making a bad
habit for him. Do I want him on my schedule or do I want to be on his.
My vet was right. He slept through the night with no accidents after
the first week. 15 1/2 weeks old and no accidents. After that I let him
be free in the kitchen for alittle while then in my bedroom in his bed.
I know it sounds cruel but it's not. It's the only way they can learn
to hold their bladder. You can't crate train a pup and put water in there
with them. Your giving them a cross message. Water and food should
be given outside of the crate only. |