Is it normal?

suedox · 01-12-2007, 12:13 PM

Hi,

We have a 11 week old english bulldog puppy and are in the process of kennel training him. When we first started this activity, my husband would set the alarm for 3 in the morning so that he would wake up and take the dog out whether he needed to go or not. Now, the puppy's schedule is such that no matter what, he'll get our attention every 2-3 hours throughout the night to let him out. We make sure to not give him any food or water after 7 and walk him right before bed. Shouldn't he be able to make it until the next morning at least? No matter what time we put him to bed, he cries at a minimum 2 hours later and then 2 hours after that and then 2 hours after that, etc. Did we do the wrong thing in thinking he really had to go in the middle of the night?

britishbandit · 01-12-2007, 12:27 PM

At 11 weeks, I doubt he can hold it all night. Pups can generally "hold it" for one hour, for every month of age. So 2 hours sounds about right, and even holding back food/water before bed, he still likely needs out at least once during the night. I'd say if you are getting up more than twice, it's likely he is just "playing" you.

But if you are withholding food and water, he shouldn't really need out more than once. So let him out at the scheduled time with the alarm, and if he whines or makes a fuss at other times, ignore him. Don't talk/yell/let him out......any kind of attention is good enough for a pup.

If he IS actually peeing every couple of hours, despite not having water a few hours before bed, then I'd take him to the vet to get checked out. But if it's simply whining to get out, and doing nothing, you'll just have to learn to ignore.

Curbside Prophet · 01-12-2007, 12:35 PM

Welcome to puppydom!

It's not uncommon for a pup to need to use the bathroom every 2-3 hours at night, or during the day. I'm assuming however, that he's been checked by a vet recently and he's perfectly healthy. Until this guy builds enough bladder control, he will continue to whine if he needs to eliminate. The problem that comes up often however, is these little guys can learn quickly that whining earns them attention. We don't want that! So now the hard part...knowing when he's whining for attention. If he's just been taken outside to eliminate and whines, he's whining for attention...ignore him. If he's whining every 2-3 hours, he's most likely whining to eliminate. It would be ideal if you could take him out before he whines...maybe set that alarm for every hour and 50 minutes, and extending that interval over a series of nights. Yes, it's very much like having a baby! Every dog is different, but as a general rule of thumb your dog should be able to hold it's bladder for as many hours as his age in months plus one. In your case 3-4 hours. So, to answer your question if he could make it through the night?...I'd say if you're lucky and he's had a busy puppy day and is very tired at night, he might sleep through the night before his bladder wakes him up. But most likely he'll be a typical pup and need to go. Good luck, and welcome to our forum!

Curbside Prophet · 01-12-2007, 12:37 PM

Sorry brit, you wrote your post quicker than I, lol.

pal · 01-15-2007, 11:31 AM

I have an 11 week old Cocker Spaniel puppy. After eating in the am she has at least 3 bowel movements within an hour. Is this normal?

pal · 01-15-2007, 11:37 AM

I have an 11 week old Cocker Spainiel puppy. After eating in the am she has at least 3 bowel movements within an hour. Is this normal? If so, when can I expect a regular bowel movement schedule?

britishbandit · 01-15-2007, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pal

I have an 11 week old Cocker Spainiel puppy. After eating in the am she has at least 3 bowel movements within an hour. Is this normal? If so, when can I expect a regular bowel movement schedule?

No, I wouln't consider it normal to have 3 bowel movements within an hour after eating. I'd get him to a vet, something is wrong, but it may be something as easy to treat as worms.