The Boring Trick to Perfect Puppy Potty Training, by McCann Dog Training on YouTube. 1 min 1 s.
- Video length
- 1 min 1 s
- Time to do it
- 2 weeks
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 8
What you need
Steps
Set the last meal 3 to 4 hours before bed and pick up the water bowl 1 to 2 hours before, so your puppy's bladder is emptier overnight.
Take your puppy out on a leash to the same quiet spot right before crate time. Stand still, say one cue such as "go potty", and wait up to 5 minutes.
When your puppy finishes, give quiet praise and go straight back inside. No walk, no sniffing tour and no play.
Put your puppy in the crate in a dark, quiet room. Use a crate just big enough to stand, turn and lie down, so there is no corner to use as a toilet.
Set an alarm for a middle-of-night break, roughly every 3 to 4 hours for a young puppy. Wake it yourself rather than waiting for whining.
Repeat the boring break: leash on, same spot, one cue, no talking or eye contact, then straight back into the crate.
If nothing happens within 5 minutes, put your puppy back in the crate and try again in 15 minutes.
Add 15 to 30 minutes to the gap each week while your puppy keeps waking up dry.
Tips and common mistakes
Keep the break dull: dim lights, no chatting and no eye contact, so night stops feeling like a reward.
Clean any accidents with an enzymatic cleaner so the old spot does not smell like a toilet.
Puppies under about 12 weeks cannot hold it all night, so plan on one or two breaks.
If your puppy suddenly needs many more night trips, ask your vet before changing the routine.
Questions
How often should I take my puppy out at night?
Start with a break every 3 to 4 hours for a young puppy, then stretch the gap as it stays dry. Most puppies can sleep through by around 4 to 5 months.
Should I play with my puppy after a night potty break?
No. Keep it boring and go straight back to the crate, or your puppy will learn that waking up earns a play session.
Should I take the water bowl away at night?
Pick up the water 1 to 2 hours before bed, but never limit water during the day. In hot weather, ask your vet first.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
