Night time crate training
 

Hi all,

This is my first post. Apologies if this has been discussed (I'm sure it will have been. The search function isn't working for me.)

I have a 16 week old puppy and he sleeps in a crate overnight. I've been getting up to let him out once a night since I got him at 8 weeks old. I'm currently getting up 4 hours after his last potty break. I know rule of thumb is one hour per month plus one extra hour. So he's almost 4 months (22nd Feb) which means he can supposedly hold his bladder for a rough maximum of 5 hours by then.

I just wanted to know if other Yorkie owners think this is accurate? Other sites say many dogs can already comfortably go overnight at around this age. Am I getting up for no reason now? I'm dying for a night of unbroken sleep but his needs come first. I was hoping for advice from a Yorkie point of view. Even if I can go from 12.30-6.30 that would be amazing, but going by the general rule that would be around March 22nd when he is 5 months old.

We have had no accidents in the crate at all, and he hardly has any accidents in the house either. He has been amazing but I have been letting him out religiously. It's been totally worth it but if he is likely to hold his pee now I will trial it for one night with my fingers crossed. I just wanted to ask for some advice before I do as I don't want him to soil his crate or be uncomfortable. If people think it is too early I will carry on as I am.

Thanks so much!

This is just my opinion, and others might disagree, but I would wait a while before expecting him to go six hours at night without a potty break. You didn’t mention his weight, but smaller pups — in general — take longer to develop control than larger pups, and even a larger yorkie is a small pup. If you make him wait too long, he might start having accidents in his crate, and that might become a difficult habit to overcome.

I have always waited for them to cry or bark to let me know when they need to go potty. That is what I have always done.

Hi Bluebells, thanks for your reply! Your opinion is exactly what I was after so thanks very much! I'm not sure what he weighs now at 16 weeks but he was just under 1kg at 8 weeks and then he was 1.34kg at 12 weeks (a vet check up). He has obviously grown quite a bit this past month. I'm not sure if he is big, small or average to be honest! I agree with you though, want to avoid accidents or making him uncomfortable so I'll stick with my 4 hours for now and increase to 5 in a few more weeks. In the meantime if anyone else has an opinion please do share it with me!

Thanks Lovetodream, the only problem with that for me is his crate is downstairs and I'm unlikely to hear him (it isn't convenient to move him upstairs to sleep). I let him out regularly anyway but he has just started asking (pining) to go out recently when he needs the toilet unexpectedly which is great. He used to just stand by the door and look outside but he has added a whimper now which makes life easier haha. He is doing great so I'll stick with what I'm doing for another couple of months. Hopefully then I can get a bit more sleep :D

I always keep mine in my bedroom where they can see me. They are pack animals so they like to be near and I like them to be near. Also your not getting up for no reason and they just let you know when they have to go potty. You also can hear if they are in distress or sick.

I can understand if there’s a temporary impediment to putting his crate in your room, or at least within easy hearing distance, but you’re really not going to be able to stretch out his sleeping time if you can’t hear him if he needs to go potty. Dogs are no more capable of absolute regularity than people are — they can have an upset tummy or an occasional need to potty in the night, just as people do. If you can’t hear him if he asks to go out, you will just teach him that he has to potty in his crate if he really needs to go. Besides, as LoveToDream said, dogs are pack animals and he will be far happier if he’s not alone without his pack all night, every night. It might not be convenient, but it’s best for him.

Hi guys,

Thanks a lot for the new responses. I just want to say that he is very happy and is not distressed at all, in case anyone thinks that. He loves going into his crate to nap and he always knows I will come back because I always do on a regular schedule. The idea was to crate him at night while he is a pup and then as he gets older to have him upstairs with us (out of the crate). I can't actually fit his crate into my bedroom easily because the layout doesn't allow it. It isn't about me not wanting him there. However I think I may be able to put him on the landing or in the next room, so I can hear him, so that is very good advice and I really appreciate it. His crate is only temporary, he isn't going to be in it every night forever. In the meantime I could rethink where he is and listen out for him as you both suggest.

Many thanks for your time and help, it is much appreciated.

I have rearranged my bedroom so many times for crates lol. Nobody really sees it but me. A lot of dogs like to have their crates their whole lives because it is a source of comfort and great if there is an emergency. My Ollie is 3 and absolutely can not sleep well with out his crate because it makes him feel the safest. It also can be a long time before you get them potty trained and out of chewing phases. My now passed senior sleeper in hers with the door open most of her life. They have a lot of crates that are nice furniture pieces. I actually bought an end table at a thrift store to sand down and turn into one.

As a puppy, Emma's crate was in my room. It's now in the hallway and she sleeps just fine. Crate Training works and consistency is key. At night, I did potty before bed time (10pm) and she slept through the night. I did cover her crate with a blanket so she knew it was quiet time. I did take her out if she whined but that was rare.