Teaching a Cairn Terrier puppy bladder control is the human's responsibility, and if she fails it generally because of something we did or did not do. Sometimes it is because of our own ignorance. Reference my article, "Housebreaking a Cairn Terrier".

Below is an age chart showing the maximum amount of time a puppy can stay in her crate without a potty break. I used this reference chart when I crate trained both of my Cairn Terriers.

Of course, every puppy is different and you need to learn your Cairn Terrier puppy's body function patterns. Reference my article, "Puppy Housebreaking Chart Template".

After your Cairn Terrier puppy reaches the age of 3 months, a good rule of thumb to remember is that she can stay in her crate for as many hours as she is months old. As you will notice from the chart above a 4 month old puppy can stay in her crate without a potty break for 4 hours, etc.

You need to also keep in mind the amount of water and her last bowel movement prior to being placed in her crate. Generally a puppy will let you know if she has to potty by whining. But make sure that if you take her outside to eliminate, that she does indeed do her business.

The concept of crate training is for the puppy to let you know when she has to potty, and not when she wants attention.

When you first get your puppy you may need to get up every 2-3 hours during the night for a potty break until you learn her body function patterns. After that time and when you are confident she understands that the crate isn't a place to eliminate, she will let you know by whining during the night if she has to go outside for a potty break.

To read all of my articles about Puppy Crate Training - Click Here.