Bella has been with us for 1 week tomorrow and we have her sleeping in our laundry room, just off the kitchen/sitting area where we spend most of her time (her crate is in there, too). Bella isn't getting us up at night to go to the bathroom, and while this should make us happy, I am worried that she is holding it too long! Do we wake her up in the night and take her out or should we leave her be? Any advice?

How old is Bella?

Most puppies can hold it for 6-8 hours overnight, since they're sleeping.

Barney's been holding it overnight since he was about 3 months old, and we'd remove his water dish about an hour before bed. Now, he's almost 6 months old and drinks right up until bedtime but never wakes us up at night.

Bella is 9 1/2 weeks tomorrow. So much of what I have read so far suggests that you will have to get up in the night. I was concerned that she might be uncomfortable holding it that long.

When you do get her up in the night, does she go to the bathroom? I remember when Barney was really little, and I'd wake him up to go to the bathroom! He was more groggy than me!

We haven't been waking Bella up as we were told not to wake a puppy when it's sleeping. We are not sure what to do!

I think if she's not waking you up to go to the bathroom, she's probably fine! Barney was always able to hold it longer than I expected - the rule of thumb was supposed to be age in months +1, but Barney could always hold it longer than that! Maybe because they're bigger than other puppies, their bladders are larger, too?

I don't think it's necessary to wake the dog up. Dogs will not hold on its pee for too long. I suggest you increase the dog's water intake.

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