Quick Answer
The recommended number of times to let a dog out per day is 3-5 times for adult dogs and every 2-3 hours for puppies. Adult dogs should go out first thing in the morning, once in the afternoon, and once before bedtime. Puppies 8-12 weeks old need to go out every 2-3 hours as they have small bladders and less control.
How Often Should I Take My Dog Outside?
How often you should take your dog outside depends primarily on two factors:
Age of the Dog
Puppies under 12 weeks old have very small bladders and poor bladder control. They need to urinate every 2-3 hours and should be taken out:
– First thing in the morning
– After naps
– After meals
– After playing
– Just before bedtime
– And once during the night
By 12-16 weeks old, puppies can generally hold their bladder for 3-4 hours. Take them out:
– First thing in the morning
– Multiple times during the day every 3-4 hours
– After naps
– After playtime
– After feeding
– Before bedtime
For adult dogs over 6 months old, take them out:
– First thing in the morning
– Once in the early afternoon
– Once in the early evening
– Before bedtime
Senior dogs and dogs with medical conditions may need to go out more frequently.
Size of the Dog
Small dogs have smaller bladders and may need to urinate more often than large breeds. Take small dogs out at least 4-5 times per day. Large and giant breed dogs can usually hold it for longer periods. Three walks per day is typical for healthy adults.
Typical Outdoor Break Schedule
Here is a typical daily schedule for letting a dog out:
Puppies 8-12 Weeks Old
– 6:00am – First thing in the morning
– 8:00am – After breakfast
– 10:00am – Mid-morning potty break
– 12:00pm – After a nap
– 2:00pm – Mid-afternoon potty break
– 5:00pm – After dinner
– 8:00pm – Before bedtime
– 11:00pm – Overnight potty break
Adult Dogs
– 6:00-7:00am – Morning walk
– 12:00-1:00pm – Midday walk
– 5:00-6:00pm – Evening walk
– Right before bedtime (ex. 10:00pm)
Adjust the schedule based on your own daily routine. The main thing is to allow regular opportunities each day for your dog to relieve himself outside.
How Long Should I Keep My Dog Outside?
When you take your dog out, allow at least 5-10 minutes for him to empty his bladder and bowels. Puppies may need longer, like 15-30 minutes, especially after meals and naps when they really have to go.
Stay outside with your dog during potty breaks. Take him out on a leash or walk around the yard with him. Playing games and engaging with him encourages him to void.
If your dog does not go within 5-10 minutes, bring him back inside and try again later. Do not leave him outside unattended for long periods to try and force him to go.
Potty Training Considerations
When house training a new puppy or adult dog:
– Take him out on a consistent schedule, not just when he signals he needs to go. This helps prevent accidents.
– Use a crate when you cannot directly supervise him indoors. He won’t want to soil his sleeping space.
– Reward successful outdoor potties with praise and treats to reinforce the behavior.
– Clean all indoor accidents thoroughly with an enzymatic cleaner to remove odors.
– Avoid scolding him for indoor accidents. It can confuse him and delay training.
– Be patient and consistent. Potty training takes time.
How to Know When Your Dog Needs to Go Out
Signs your dog needs to go outside include:
– Pacing around sniffing and circling
– Whining or barking persistently
– Waiting by the door
– Going to the door and looking back at you
– Sudden change in behavior, appears restless
– Squatting or leg lifting indoors
If you see these cues, immediately take him outside to avoid an accident. Keep a log to identify patterns of when he typically needs to go.
Anticipate when he will need to go based on:
– As soon as he wakes up
– Right after eating or drinking
– After playtime or exercise
– At times he has had accidents before
Taking him out preemptively on a consistent schedule prevents many accidents.
How Long Can Dogs Hold Their Bladder?
How long dogs can wait before going potty depends on factors like:
| Factor | Bladder Hold Time |
|---|---|
| Age |
|
| Size |
|
| Health Issues |
|
Dogs should not be expected to hold their bladder longer than 8 hours at a time, except adult dogs overnight while sleeping. Limiting water before bedtime and providing a mid-evening bathroom break allows most healthy adult dogs to sleep up to 10 hours overnight without needing to void.
What If My Dog Can’t Hold His Bladder at Night?
It is normal for adult dogs to need a potty break overnight. Senior dogs, dogs with medical issues, and some younger dogs may need to go out multiple times at night.
Signs your dog needs to go out at night:
– Restlessness, pacing, whining
– Waking you up by barking, nudging, staring
– Standing by the bed or door
If your dog is waking you frequently at night needing to go out, some options include:
– Take up food and water bowls 2-3 hours before bedtime
– Make sure he empties out right before bed
– Let him out right before you go to bed and as soon as you wake up
– Use belly bands for male dogs to catch leaks
– Install a dog door if possible so he can let himself out
– Use a pee pad or tray if you cannot get up at night
– See your vet to rule out UTI or other condition
– Consider crate training to help him learn to hold it
If excessive nighttime trips are disrupting your sleep, talk to your vet to address potential underlying medical causes.
How to Handle a Dog Needing to Go Out at Night
When your dog wakes you at night needing to go out:
– Take him out on a leash to a designated potty spot. Don’t interact or play with him.
– Use a flashlight to keep the trip quick and low stimulus.
– Reward him with calm praise when he goes.
– Immediately return to your bedroom afterward.
– Avoid scolding him or reacting frustrated. This can discourage him from alerting you.
– Understand he genuinely needs to go and cannot wait. Be patient.
Manage the situation by taking up food and water early, limiting nighttime drinks, exercising him earlier in the day, and visiting the vet to address any underlying issues.
Why Does My Dog Need to Go Out So Often?
If your adult dog is needing to go out way more often than normal, possible reasons may include:
– Urinary tract infection (UTI)
– Bladder stones or blockage
– Kidney disease
– Diabetes
– Drinking excessive amounts of water
– Anxiety
– Changes in schedule or environment
– Previous frequent urination habits
– Marking behavior
– Accidental reinforcement of whining
If your dog suddenly starts needing to urinate way more often, contact your vet for an exam. Frequent urination can indicate a medical issue requiring treatment.
Tips for Helping Your Dog Hold His Bladder
Some tips to help extend the time your dog can hold it include:
– Stick to a consistent feeding and watering schedule, especially later in the day.
– Make sure your dog fully empties his bladder when you take him out.
– Avoid giving him free access to water at least 2-3 hours before bedtime.
– Install a dog door if possible so he can let himself out in an emergency.
– Crate train your dog or limit area so you can closely observe signals.
– Rule out UTI, diabetes, or other medical conditions.
– Ensure he is getting adequate daily exercise.
– Use belly bands for male dogs prone to dribbling urine.
– Clean all indoor accidents thoroughly with enzymatic cleaner.
– Be patient and consistent with training.
If your dog is frequently having accidents and seems unable to hold it, consult your vet to address potential underlying medical issues or behavioral causes. Consistent training methods, limiting fluids before bedtime, and addressing health problems can help improve his control.
What Are the Risks of Holding Urine Too Long?
Holding urine for extended periods can lead to the following risks:
– Urinary tract infections – From bacteria buildup
– Bladder or kidney damage – From overstretching
– Bladder or kidney stones – From concentrated urine
– Incontinence – From weak bladder muscles
– Urine scaldding – From frequent leakage of urine
– Behavioral issues – From confusion or anxiety
Dogs should not go longer than 8-10 hours without urinating. Senior dogs, puppies, and dogs with medical conditions may only be able to hold 1-3 hours. Holding too long can be painful and dangerous.
If your dog is frequently holding his urine longer than he can, he may need more frequent potty breaks, crate training, or a vet exam to determine if any underlying problems are making it difficult for him to hold it.
When to Call the Vet About Frequent Urination
Contact your vet if your dog is needing to urinate more often, including:
– Suddenly asks to go out much more than usual
– Has frequent accidents in the house
– Strains or cries when trying to urinate
– Has blood in his urine
– Leaks urine when sleeping or relaxed
– Excessive thirst and drinking
Frequent urination can indicate:
– Urinary tract infection
– Bladder infection
– Kidney disease
– Diabetes
– Bladder stones
– Anatomical abnormalities
Veterinary examination, urinalysis, and bloodwork can diagnose the cause. Treatment may include antibiotics, medications, diet change, or surgery.
Let your vet know if frequent potty breaks are disrupting your dog’s and your own daily routine. There may be an underlying issue that needs medical attention and treatment.
Conclusion
To summarize, most adult dogs will need to go outside 3-5 times per day and can hold their bladder for 6-8 hours at a time. Puppies need to go out about every 2-3 hours. Take your dog out first thing in the morning, once in the afternoon, and before bedtime. Also allow him access after meals, when he wakes from naps, and following play. Watch for signs he needs to urinate and anticipate his needs. If he is needing to go abnormally often, consult your veterinarian to rule out a medical condition requiring treatment. Be patient and consistent when house training. With time and positive reinforcement, you can help strengthen your dog’s bladder control.
