toilet traninig

Question
hi kathy, i am really confused with different advice about my 12 wk cocker spaniel, she is in a crate at night and when we go out and also for time out when she needs to calm down. i take her out for toilet after waking, feedin and playin and she is doing well and very few accidents in the house, i have been puttin paper and pads in half the crate and her bed in other halfbut friends have suggested that puppies don't usually like to soil in the same place as sleeping and just putting her bed in and she will hold herself til morning, but i wonder is this fair on her? to make her wait all night or could she cope, please can you advise me, thanks tess.

Answer
Hi Tess, yes lots of advice can be very confusing, i do think though that by putting pads in her crate, you really arent helping her to understand that she cant go in there, people are right pups dont usually like their beds soiled, however at twelve weeks she may have a few accidents during the night, but she should start to be able to hold herself very very soon, so try putting her out for last wee at night and letting her out first thing in morning, dont put pads in with her by her bed, fill it with toys and her bedding and im sure before long she will hold on all night, if not straight away, i really hope this answer helps, give it a go she may well surprise you, these cockers are very intelligent you know.
And congratulations on your new pup.
Best wishes take care
Kathy