Crate training at night

Question
I have a 8 almost 9 month old beautiful 10 lb Pomeranian.  She is doing great with her house training as long as I am around to let her out constantly.  I have 2 questions... 1) how can I train her to let me know she has to go?   2) The only time she is crated is at night but she is waking me up at least 2-3 times per night to go potty.(it's legit because she really does go & we don't play)  When will she be able to hold it all night or maybe the question is when will I be able to have a good nights sleep?  I love her but I work a full time job and this is exhausting.  

Exhausted in Virginia Beach...

Answer
Denise-

I completely understand. I am going through this with my 12 month old puppy as well.

Some puppies just can't hold it as long as others. Normally we say by 10 months they should be able to hold it for 8-9 hours. However, smaller breeds have a smaller bladder and need to go out more often. You can help her by reducing the amount of water she has before she goes to bed (or taking it out of her crate at night), but essentially you are just going to have to stay consistent with your current plan (which IS working as she is letting you know she needs to go out and is peeing outside). The only difference I would make is to get her on your schedule instead of her on yours. YOU start waking her up to go to the bathroom. Start with 2 times a night, at specific hours, and set your alarm. Get up, take her out, praise her for peeing. Put her back, go to bed, reset your alarm. Do not get up if she barks. Eventually, you can reduce her schedule to 1 time a night, and then to none. This can take 2-3 months, but is well worth it. I am on 1 time a night with my puppy right now, and about to go to none... I cant wait! You can go to none earlier of course, if she stop peeing when you wake her up.

As for training her to go out, start using a signal as you go out. This can be asking her to sit at the door before going out (So she learns to go sit at the door if she needs out) or something similar. I like using a bell. Hang a bell at the door from a string. Everytime you go out, say "Potty time!" and ring the bell as you open the door. Usually, you only have to show her once with her paw or nose how to ring the bell. After a while, they will bat the bell on the string with their nose or paw to tell you they have to go out. All of my dogs are bell trained, and I love it!

good luck! I hope you get a good nights sleep!