Is it possible she's going quickly outside and you aren't noticing? It's not always easy to tell with those stubby legs (we have a doxie-mix too) and these little guys can pee SO fast without missing a beat. You may have also just lucked out!
I have never heard of this ... they generally learn not to go in the crate because they are clean animals by nature and don't like laying in their own mess. But Maybe? I have only ever known that they get stronger as they develop and can hold it Age in months +1 ( 4 months +1 = hold for 5 hours) is the general rule of thumb. Loki would get so worked up because he was uncomfortable he would piddle on his bed then fight his way behind it (pushing it up and out of his way) so he didn't have to lay on it.Let me ask this...
Some people talk as though the crate trains the dog to "hold it". Some go further to suggest that this training strengthens the muscles associated with "holding it".
Is this the case? Can these muscles be strengthened?
My guess is that answer is mostly "no". These muscles or whatever creates the control are strengthened just as a part of maturing.
We come home at lunch timeOne more thing:
How the heck do normal, working people manage a crated pup? If, as you say, pups can often go no more than 4 hours... what do working people do? Do they just come home to a soiled crate and clean it up?
Wow! My 7 week old puppy goes to bed at 10:30 and we set an alarm for 3:30 to take her out to potty - but she is always still asleep at this time. Then she whines when we put her back in the crate and especially throws a fit if we try to do so without bottle feeding her. Since she is still asleep at that time I'm thinking we could extend the time. Maybe soon she will be sleeping all night! What a blessing that would be!I have 2 1/2mo. old that goes to bed at 10pm and doesn't get up until 6am and even then I have to push him out the door. You would think a puppy that young would have to pee pretty badly after 8hrs. but not my little guy.
So, yes, some puppies do have incredible bladder control.