My pup barks in the morning, due to this he wee's before I can get down to him to get him out. I am worried that if I wake earlier to try and beat him before he wakes that this may become his routine... sleep depravation nooooo! He is 16wks old and a beautiful Labradoodle. He normally goes to bed at about 11pm and we get up at 7am. He has been waking at between 5am and 7am. He also loves to drag his water bowl about, which soaks the floor during the day if I have to leave him for a couple of hours. I have a crate but leave the door open at night as he was wetting his bed. Any tips?

Any tips ? Yes, change your schedule so you can get down to him before he has to go ! Diligence is the key to housebreaking a new pup. I always got up way before I had to just to make sure it got done, and she got the idea correctly.

Pup will eventually get bored of pulling his water dish around and pick on something else he will get bored of soon. Be mindful he is still in puberty!

Tick

I would suggest actual crate training with him.

If I left my dogs out and gave them free run of a room they would cry all night but when I lock them in their crates they know it's bed time and they know to stay quiet.

When crate training it's best to have the crate in the bedroom with you until the pup is completely used to being in there.

If you need any crate training tips just let me know (sorry about to head off to bed and saw this thread)

Thanks both, I will try all your suggestions.
If I crate train him and he pee's in his crate, will that not give him the message that it is OK to soil his bed area.

Thanks both, I will try all your suggestions.
If I crate train him and he pee's in his crate, will that not give him the message that it is ok to soil his bed area.

No, won't give him the message its okay. Dogs hate soiling what they sleep on. They actually very clean animals.

Tick

Thanks both, I will try all your suggestions.
If I crate train him and he pee's in his crate, will that not give him the message that it is ok to soil his bed area.

He's going to have accidents. You have to do what you can to limit those accidents so that it doesn't become a 'habit'.

Remember that he is still growing and learning to control his bladder. As he gets bigger and more mature, he will be able to wait longer periods between bathroom trips. Right now, you are asking a toddler to hold his bladder for about eight hours. He is telling you that he can't.

You need to get him out before he loses control even if it is two hours earlier than you want to get up. Gradually, as he gets better at holding it, move the potty time back to the time you want. Yes, it will take time, but he will learn.

You need to get him out before he loses control even if it is two hours earlier than you want to get up. Gradually, as he gets better at holding it, move the potty time back to the time you want. Yes, it will take time, but he will learn.

Diligence is absolutely necessary when training a dog. Whatever effort you put into getting him properly housetrained will come back to you tenfold. Cat is right, getting up two hours before you have to will work in the long run.

Tick