Crate Training

by Rachel
(Texas)

I have a 8 week old tiny shit tzu and i am using the crate method to train and potty train him. My question is how many times should i take him out during the night and until he is how old?

I take him out about midnight and then he whines to go out at about 7 in the morning and he does both jobs. The problem is he has already gone in the crate sometime during he night and i never hear him whine. I never feed him past 6 in the afternoon.

He does great during the day about being in the crate and not using the bathroom in there it's just the nights that are our problem. Also how many times should i feed him a day?


Hi Rachel
The thing about tiny dogs and puppies is that they have itty-bitty tummies and bladders! They need to eat and drink little, but often, and of course that means they also need to eliminate often too.

Small and toy breeds need to keep their blood sugar on an even keel, and even as adults it's often a good idea never to go below two meals a day. At your puppy's age, three meals should be fine.

For such a young pup, and being a small breed, he's doing very well with the crate training. The night-time potty breaks will really depend on him as an individual. Do you also pick up his water in the evening? If not, I'd recommend that you do so, and don't let him drink after about 7 - 7:30pm.

If you're not hearing him whine in the night, perhaps he could sleep somewhere closer to you? Or is it that he doesn't whine? If it's the latter, I would set your alarm for somewhere midway between midnight and 7am, maybe around 4am and wake him up and take him outside. He will probably 'go' then and you'll have a clean crate in the morning.

I know it's a nuisance to have to do this, but it's worth it in the long run. You don't want him to get into the habit of messing in his crate or it may cause his good potty training habits to backslide.

Best of luck with him!