toilet training dog at night

Question
Hi I have a rescued Labrador who is 4, she was rescued a year ago with no problems.  She has recently started to defecate at night near to the door she would exit to go to the garden, so she is trying her best but unfortunately she cannot wake me or the wife up to let her out.  Can you please help?

Answer
If her stools are soft, have the vet check her and clear up what is causing it.  

When she makes her last trip out at night, make sure she walks around to stimulate her bowels to empty.  

You could try moving her last feeding.  If earlier doesn't help, try later.  

If none of the above works, you need to restrict her movements.  At 4 years old, she may better accept a tie down, just a short length of chain fixed at one end and a snap at the other.  

Crating works grest with younger dogs.  What the dog wants more than anything else is to be others, you, anyone else in the household, and any other pets. The dog may be happier in its den than loose in the house. It relaxes, it feels safe in its den. It rests, the body slows down reducing the need for water and relieving its self. Dogs that have been crated all along do very well. Many of them will rest in their crates even when the door is open. I think the plastic ones give the dog more of a safe, enclosed den feeling. Metal ones can be put in a corner or covered with something the dog can't pull in and chew. Select a crate just big enough for the full grown dog to stretch out in.

Leave it some toys. Perhaps a Kong filled with peanut butter. Don't leave anything in the crate the dog might chew up. It will do fine without even any bedding. You will come home to a safe dog and a house you can enjoy.

A dog that has not been crated since it was little, may take some work. Start out just putting its toys and treats in the crate. Praise it for going in. Feed it in the crate. This is also an easy way to maintain order at feeding time for more than one dog.