Why a routine helps
Puppies learn fast when the same things happen at the same times. Regular meals mean regular wees, which makes toilet training quicker. And a sheet on the fridge means everyone in the family does it the same way, so your puppy isn’t confused.
The golden rules
- Wee breaks: straight after waking, eating, playing and any excitement, and at least every 2 to 3 hours. Young puppies often need to go every hour at first.
- Meals: 4 small meals a day at 8 to 12 weeks, 3 until about 6 months, then 2.
- Walks: once they’re allowed out, about 5 minutes for each month of age, twice a day. So 15 minutes at 3 months.
- Sleep: puppies need far more than you’d think, with lots of naps. A tired puppy gets bitey, so a nap is often the answer.
- Nights: most young puppies need one quick night-time wee for the first few weeks. Keep it dull: no play, straight back to bed.
Jobs for children
Children can do lots: putting the food bowl down (after the puppy sits), short training games, filling the water bowl and ticking off the sheet. Grown-ups should do night wees, walks near roads and anything with the crate door at bedtime. Always have an adult around when young children and puppies play.
Questions
What time should a puppy go to bed?
Whatever suits your family, as long as their last wee is just before. Most families go for 9 to 10pm, with a calm half hour before.
How often does a puppy need a wee?
At 8 weeks, roughly every hour while awake, plus after eating, sleeping and playing. That stretches to every 2 to 3 hours by 3 to 4 months.
When can I stop the night-time wee?
Most puppies can sleep through by about 4 months. Push the night wee a little later each week until they’re dry till morning.