Dog Suddenly Waking Up In The Middle Of Night To Poop – PetDogsLife
Dog lovers always have lots of questions, so lets answer one right now: Why does my dog suddenly waking up in the middle of night to poop? If you’ve found your pup pooping in his sleep or having sudden accidents after being reliable for years, daytime potty breaks just aren’t cutting it anymore.
CCD is a type of dementia that affects dogs as they age, causing them to have trouble remembering where they are and what they’re doing. This can lead to them waking up in the middle of the night and not knowing where they are or why they need to go outside to potty.
So what’s behind this behavior, and how can you help your dog eliminate this habit? Keep reading to find out.
Why Dogs Wake Up In The Middle Of The Night – Few Reasons
There are a few different reasons why your dog might wake up in the middle of the night to potty:
1. Age-Related Health Problems
As dogs get older, they’re more likely to experience health problems that can disrupt their sleep and lead to accidents. The most common causes of nighttime potty breaks in older dogs are canine cognitive dysfunction and urinary tract infections.
2. Behavioral Issues
Occasionally, dogs will wake up in the middle of the night to potty because they’ve developed bad habits, such as associating the bedroom with going to the bathroom. This is more common in puppies than in adult dogs, but it can happen at any age.
3. Impaired Bladder Control
In some cases, dogs will wake up in the middle of the night to pee because their bladders are no longer able to hold urine for long periods of time. This is more common in older dogs, but can also occur in younger dogs who have developed a medical condition like diabetes.
4. Drinking Too Much Water Before bed
If your dog drinks a lot of water right before bed, he might wake up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom. This is more common in toy and small breeds than in larger dogs.
5. Sleeping Through Scheduled Potty Breaks
In some cases, your dog might be waking up in the middle of the night to potty because he’s sleeping through his scheduled potty breaks. This is more common in puppies than in adult dogs, but it can happen at any age.
6. Anxiety
Anxiety can also cause dogs to wake up in the middle of the night and potty. This is more common in puppies and older dogs, but it can happen at any age.
7. Excitement
If your dog is excited about something (like a treat or toy), he might wake up in the middle of the night and potty. This is more common in puppies than in adult dogs, but it can happen at any age.
8. Pain
Pain can also cause dogs to wake up in the middle of the night and potty. This is more common in older dogs, but it can happen at any age.
9. Weather
Extreme weather conditions (like heat waves or cold snaps) can cause dogs to wake up in the middle of the night and potty. This is more common in puppies than in adult dogs, but it can happen at any age.
What To Do When Your Dog Wakes Up In The Middle Of The Night?
If your dog is waking up in the middle of the night to potty, there are a few things you can do to help him eliminate this habit:
1. Check His Health
If your dog is older, make sure to take him to the vet for a check-up to rule out any health problems that might be causing him to wake up in the middle of the night.
2. Create A Potty Schedule
If your dog is waking up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom, try creating a potty schedule for him. Take him out to potty right before bed and first thing in the morning, and take him out every few hours in between.
3. Limit His Water Intake Before Bed
If your dog is drinking a lot of water right before bed, try to limit his intake by giving him smaller meals and taking away his water bowl an hour or two before bedtime.
4. Get Him On A Regular Sleep Schedule
If your dog is waking up in the middle of the night because he’s not getting enough sleep, try putting him on a regular sleep schedule. Go to bed at the same time every night and get up at the same time every morning.
5. Crate Train Your Dog
If your dog is waking up in the middle of the night to potty because he’s not used to being in a crate, try crate training him. Start with short periods of time in the crate and gradually increase the amount of time he spends in it.
6. Exercise Your Dog During The Day
If your dog is waking up in the middle of the night because he’s full of energy, try exercising him more during the day. Take him for a walk, run, or play fetch with him for at least 30 minutes each day.
7. Don’t Punish Your Dog
If your dog has an accident in the middle of the night, don’t punish him. This will only make him more anxious and stressed, which will only make the problem worse. Instead, clean up the mess and provide him with lots of praise and encouragement.
Conclusion
In the end, it’s important to remember that accidents happen. If your dog has an accident in the middle of the night, don’t punish him. Just clean up the mess and provide him with lots of praise and encouragement. With a little patience and effort, you can help your dog overcome this problem.