Free Access to water?

[Darcy & Millie]

We've be allowing Millie to have free access to water all day long.  However, this has resulted in her drinking a ton, and peeing all the time.  She's been going about every 45 minutes.  I have been missing it here and there, and she's went in the house a lot....GRRR....  There has been little to no warning.  Should I not give her so much water?  I can't believe she goes that often! 

Thank you once again!!!

[Bonnie and Kona]

Darcy, You are doing the right thing giving Millie free access to water during the day. Puppies that are just beginning to learn potty habits have to pee often. When our last pup was little we took him out every 20 minutes for the first couple of weeks and we still missed it sometimes. This will not last forever. But since Millie is just a baby try to be patient and stay on top of the training. One important thing to do is clean up any accidents with a product like Nature's Miracle so she cannot smell the spot and assume that is an okay place to pee! 

You might pick up her water around 7 pm to reduce the number of pee-breaks during the night but I would not limit water during the day. Hang in there this is a frustrating time but it doesn't last forever. Promise! 

[Darcy & Millie]

Wow on every 20 minutes!  Eeks!  Here, I thought I was doing great every 45 minutes...LOL...  I think I need to set up a timer to remind myself and start going more often.  I'm glad I asked.  I thought it was odd when I read not to give them water all day, now I know that surely is not the right thing to do!

Thank you all for the responses!  This forum is FANTASTIC!

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Having a puppy is a lot of work. Water should NEVER be withheld from animals- unless you own a Camel!
Withholding water, for the sheer convience ( to lessen a burden), for the human should never be done. It's dangerous!!!
I've read this too much on DK and I'm hoping we can get this recommendation to change.
Right now, Summer is going to greatly increase water intake. Luckily, it's a great time to spend outdoors with our puppies
Enjoy and fill up that bowel :)

[Suzanne Newman]

Darcy, I agree with Bonnie.  Whidbey drinks a TON of water, and yes, we went through a time where she was going outside all the time, but now that she is almost 5 months old, that is getting less and less.  I also have a bowl of water outside on the patio, and with these nice days, she is loving to hang out there a lot.  I see her drinking a lot of water then too.  

She now holds it all night long, as well as she holds it for about 3-4 hours during the day.  It gets a LOT better over time.  Just be patient.  

[Sara and Birdie]

Darcy, I am going through the same thing, having had my puppy only a week and a half.  I was tempted to limit her water too, but was told that if you limit her water, she will be more susceptible to bladder infections, and then she really will be peeing a lot! I have found that I cannot let Birdie run around in my kitchen for even more than 10 minutes or she will pee, so I have to watch her, and take her out often,and put her in her crate when I can't watch her.  I agree with everyone else.  It just takes time.  Try giving Millie a treat after she goes outside, to reinforce it and she will get it.:)

[Darcy & Millie]

Thank you Sara, and I love Birdie's name!

Getting her to go to the bathroom is going GREAT, thank goodness.  She goes about 95% of the time when I let her out, and it's usually within just moments.  I have been praising her as well.  So, we're on track, just am shocked at how often she goes!

[Dynamite & Doodle]

Our little guy pees frequently too, and he has free access to water until 8 at night. This is our third day with him and he pees every time he wakes up, after every playtime and today I've noticed that if he gets mouthy and starts gnawing at our hands and stuff he also needs to pee. Every 45 minutes sounds about right. Eventually it will space out more as their bladders grow.

[Sue and Buddy]

You might start limiting her water, but also make sure she gets enough. As a side note, I added water to Buddy's food for the first 6 months. At first I would let it sit a bit to begin to soften. I also would take up water a couple of hours before bed time.

The other thing is that she is probably used to going where ever and when ever the urge hits because that is what she did at the breeders.. She has to learn the idea that there is some where she needs to go and that she can hold it. You might try tethering her to you when she is out of her area. Another thing is to set up an area with an X-pen that has her crate or bed for when you can't watch her, but are in the house. The idea is that the area is small enough she can move around, but still thinks of it as her area and will not want to soil in it. As she get the idea that she needs to potty outside, she can be allowed more freedom in the house.

Praising her when she potties in her spot outside is part of getting used to going outside. Also using a key word for the deed will help in the future to let her know what you are wanting her to do. Make a big, happy fuss when she pees where she is suppose to and quietly clean up any messes with enzyme cleaner. Puppies like a fuss being made over them and they really can not tell the difference between a happy fuss or angry fuss. it's all exciting to them.

One more hint, as she gets older and learns the meaning of her potty word, take her to potty spot before going inside after an outdoor play time. Ask her to potty before going inside. It will help prevent the "she just came inside and peed" accidents. I did this with Buddy and it wasn't long before he would go to his potty spot before coming inside all by himself. They are wonderfully smart.

[Adina P]

I also took my first pup out every 20 min or so IF he was free in the house.  When crated, pups can go about an hour per month of age MAX.  But while playing, their bladders are easily stimulated.  I wouldn't take water away during the day, but after a certain hour at night it might be just fine (a couple hours before bedtime). 

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

20 mins for us too!

[Terri, Murfee & Emily]

Murfee is now 16 weeks and we are 95% potty trained. Just remember, take them out when : they awaken, finish playing, after eating (you know, what goes in must come out !),and in between. Don't expect them to tell you as they are just not able. You just have to be diligent in these early weeks to get them to the result. I now know when Murfee will poop; 1st thing in the morning, after a meal and right before bed. We have a really good routine that makes it easier for the both of us. Now he can sleep in the bed with me with no worries. Good luck, and like the rest have said, it only gets better. Enjoy the time while Millie is young, they grow so fast.