Figuring out how to house train your pup at night might seem tiresome, you might be thinking you are going to lose some sleep. You might even be wondering ‘How do people do this?’ It can be done! And you can do it too. It just takes some scheduling on your part and a little patience. You are going to need a crate if you do not have one yet. It is not cruel and unusual punishment, I promise! Check out these ways that I have house trained my pup at night.
Related: Puppy House Training the Easy Way
How to House Train Your Pup at Night
Crate
This might be the most difficult and heartbreaking part. I failed at this when I first got my pup. Keeping her in her crate at night will (eventually) help everyone sleep soundly knowing you aren’t going to wake up and step in a pile of poo. I won’t sugar coat this, she won’t like it at first and she’ll cry and it will tug at your heartstrings. You will want to go and pick her up and snuggle her in your bed. Do not. Let me tell you the monster I created when I did this. That cute little tiny puppy grew up to be a seventy pound dog who still thought she was a tiny little puppy. Not to mention that every time she moved at night, it woke me up because I was terrified she was going to use my rug as her toilet. Keep her in her crate at night, she will get used to it. If you are really adamant about not using one, check out our tips for house training without a crate. Trust me, though, the process is much easier WITH the crate!
Cut out the water
Let me be more clear, about 2-3 hours before ‘bed’, remove the water from where she can get to it. This will help decrease her need to wake up and have to go in the middle of the night. Again, something I failed at my first go-round. I was getting up in the middle of the night (because remember, I woke every time she moved?) and leashing her up to walk outside. I was 6 months pregnant, so of course I had to pee too every time she got up.
Last potty break
You must take her out one last time before you settle into bed. This is in addition to the after dinner bathroom time. I mean, I guess you don’t have to, but you will just be woken in the middle of the night with cries and whimpers from the crate (because we have already established that your bed is not the best right now). You probably use the bathroom before you go to bed right? Your pup is no different.
Related: 5 Small Dogs That Are Easy to House Train
Accidents can happen
Puppies do not come with manuals on how to raise them, and like kids, each one is different. Anything you read is merely suggestion for what has worked for someone else. That being said, accidents can happen, even if you crate. You never want to leave your pup in a situation where he has no choice but to soil his crate. If he does do this, you need to remember and set an alarm to take him out in the middle of the night once. You won’t have to do this forever, do not think of it as ’creating a habit’ for him. He is a pup, is he learning.
House training a pup at night can tug on your heartstrings a little when you hear the little whimper and cries from him, but you have to be strong. Before long he will understand his new routine and everyone can sleep soundly. He will get used to his new space and his potty routine, and you won’t have to worry about messes in his cage (which he won’t appreciate much either).
