Dog pees in crate

[lisa-lisa]

Can anyone offer any suggestions as to what to do with a dog who pees in her crate? She used to use her newspaper very reliably and so this is a new problem that seems to have come from nowhere.

The crate isn't too big for her.

She actually seeks it out now as a place to pee, the way a cat would with a litter box!!

Does anyone know what to do?

Lisa ~ up to my eyeballs in laundry

[tenderfoot]

How old is this dog?
I need a bit of clarity on the paper issue. Are the papers in the crate? Is she confined in an x-pen with papers and a crate? ?????
If this is about pottying in the crate (without papers) she might have been left in too long one time or just had to burst so she went and it felt good when she releived herself so she was rewarded immediately. The bedding absorbed the mess and she wasn't bothered a bit.
I would wash the crate with a diluted bleach solution, let it dry in the sun and don't put bedding back in until she starts to show that she can hold it again. Go back afew steps in your training (since she has), and start monitoring her better (shorter times in the crate) and make sure you are not letting her load up on food/water just before you put her in.

[lisa-lisa]

Thanks for your thoughts. Washing with bleach sounds like a good start... I haven't tried that. (ratio 1:10?)

To clarify, the dog is an 8 month Italian Greyhound. She has a large X-pen (4X4 feet) and her newspapers are on one side and her crate fits in the corner of the X-pen. This arrangement used to work well. She would sleep in the crate, go to the bathroom on the newspapers, and never the twain did meet!!

Then, all of a sudden she started peeing inside the crate. After hours of playing outside the X-pen (we leave the door open so she can go in freely when we're home) she actually started going into her crate to go to the bathroom as though it was a litterbox! Exasperating!

When we go out, we leave her in the X-pen with the crate door off so that she can come and go freely from her crate within the X-pen. So there's no issue of "holding it". This is definitely a conscious choice on her part!

She did have a very thick blanket and a pad at the bottom of the crate for sleeping, both of which are quite absorbant. I've removed the blanket, but cannot leave her with nothing between her body and the plastic crate because of her body type. (It's actually quite uncomfortable for Italian Greyhounds to be on a hard floor like that.)

She still manages to use the newspaper from time to time, and when she does we do the clicker/treat thing. But, more often than not, lately, she seems to prefer the crate. She doesn't try to pee in the corner and sleep in another corner. She pees right in the middle of the crate and then happily lies in it!! I've never heard of such a thing.... figures I'd pick the one dog in the history of the canine world that enjoys sleeping in pee!!

[tenderfoot]

Try to get a liner that has cushioning for her body type but also is water resistant so that when she makes a mistake it is uncomfortable for her to lie in it.
You are also going to have to go backwards in your training and start montoring her better - like a tiny puppy again. Sorry, I know thats a pain in the neck.

[raingirl]

Also, make sure you take her to the vet to make sure there isn't a problem like a Urinary track infection first!

[lisa-lisa]

Well, last night after reading these suggestions, I washed the crate in a bleach solution and threw away the old fleece blanket. I managed to find a new crate-liner that isn't exactly water-resistant, but it's made of polyester so it's a LOT less absorbant than the old cotton one. I also made sure she'd peed on her newspaper just before bed.... and guess what? She made it through the night without peeing in the crate! She used the newspaper!! That sound you hear is a choir of doggy-trainers singing Hallelujah for me.

Of course we want to keep her on the right track here and so we're monitoring her much more closely again to make sure things keep going the way they're supposed to... but wow, what a relief to think this problem can be solved! Thanks so much for the great suggestions!

~Lisa, finally in a position to catch up on the laundry

[tenderfoot]

Congratulations! Now don't expect perfection, but you are on the right track - keep up the good work!

[dogmelissa]

I'm very happy that you posted that you have an Italian Greyhound. You'll find this *very* interesting!! http://www.kturby.com/litter/litter.htm

Also, you don't have the only dog in the world that *likes* to lay in it's own waste. I have a Maltese X who loves to lay in his own urine AND feces. Actually, I don't think he likes it, but he doesn't seem to care one way or another, and given the choice, will pee or poo on his blanket rather than next to it. I've been struggling with this for months and have yet to find a real solution. I would litter-train him, but he's still not even house-trained and has separation anxiety, so I've decided to just deal with one problem at a time.

Hope that link helps.
Good luck,
Melissa

[lisa-lisa]

Melissa, thanks for directing me to this article. Very interesting!

When we got our pups, we thought about litter training them and even bought the litter tray and litter pellets. But, the little boy pup was just so terrified of the litter tray that we kind of gave up without spending a lot of time on it. He was pretty quick to catch on to the newspaper thing, so we never went back to it. I'm tempted to try again with them in summer when I'm on holidays. I'm a teacher, so I'll have a couple of months off to devote to focusing on it!

Also, now that the pups know us and aren't so nervous around us, perhaps they'll be easier to work with. They're smart little things, but skittish about stepping outside their comfort zone!!

[Lucky Rescue]

They're smart little things, but skittish about stepping outside their comfort zone!!

Yes, skittish and often VERY hard to completely housetrain.

[lisa-lisa]

Originally Posted by LuckyRescue

Yes, skittish and often VERY hard to completely housetrain.

Yes, I have heard that. It was something we were prepared for when we got them, knowing that they might have accidents all their lives.

For this breed, I guess it's possible to teach them to go outside, but certainly difficult since they have so little hair and almost no body fat to keep them warm! We opted for a large X-pen with open crates to sleep in and newspaper for a bathroom. When the pups are roaming free in the house, we leave the X-pen door open so they can go inside and use the newspaper when they want to.

We have had a couple of accidents, but I think much of that had to do with replacing our carpet and the critters feeling they needed to get their smell back where it belonged.

We're finding that giving treats (and sometimes clicks instead ~ we clicker-trained them) helps to reinforce good bathrooming habits...

Funny, though. The girl has figured out that when she pees she gets a treat. So, instead of going all at once, she does several tiny efforts throughout an evening to maximize on the treat value! Hilarious!

[melz]

Hello,

I didn't want to start a new thread on the same topic so I figured I'd post in here to see if I get any response.

I have an 10 week old puppy who also goes in her crate. Fact of the matter is she was trained to use training pads in the house, then has decided that my carpets would be far better for her to pee on. Once disciplned on that, she has yet to pee again on my area rugs and she isn't using her training pads as much. now. which is great.

But since I work during the day, she's left in her crate for a good 8 hours if not a bit more. I understand this is a long time in a crate for a puppy but I do what I can with what I have. At some point she was peeing a lot in her crate during the day. This until i decided to control the amounts of water she drank (she constantly drinks.. excessive amounts of water!) So in the morning I let her have her drink, then take her out for a walk before i leave work and she is peeing less and less in the crate but has started to #2 in there. I know it will be a hard habit to break. But once she's done her things she starts howling because she wants out and according to my neighbours this lasts pretty much til i get home.

How can I help her break the habit and stop the howling?

I've considered giving her to a family who will be able to take care of her during the day as I cannot afford another warning from my landlord. Is there anything I can do or would i be better off giving her?

[jessi76]

Originally Posted by melz

But since I work during the day, she's left in her crate for a good 8 hours if not a bit more.

a 10 wk old pup should never be left for 8+ hrs. that said, you have other options, doggy daycare, hire a dog walker to stop in for her, have a friend or family member stop in for her, or drop her off at your family member's house while you are at work and pick her up on your way home. We all realize it's hard to manage puppies and work schedules, but if you make the commitment to have a puppy, you should be able to adjust your schedule accordingly, or make other arrangements.

My 5 month old could never go 8+ hrs in his crate. I never leave him in it for longer than 4 hrs. a good rule is how many months old = how many hrs. 10 wks would be 2.5 to 3hrs, tops.

[Lucky Rescue]

Leaving a 10 week old puppy in a crate for 8 hours a day and expecting her to hold in urine and go without water is unrealistic and inhumane.

I've considered giving her to a family who will be able to take care of her during the day as I cannot afford another warning from my landlord. Is there anything I can do or would i be better off giving her?

If this is a good home, that would be the best solution.

[melz]

Originally Posted by LuckyRescue

Leaving a 10 week old puppy in a crate for 8 hours a day and expecting her to hold in urine and go without water is unrealistic and inhumane.

Thank you for making me feel cruel and unthoughtful. I am not expecting her to stop urinating nor am I punishing her for it. I'm looking for ways that will later help me break the habit.. as well as ways to make her stop howling during the day as it disturbs my neighbours.

Now you may think that I am inconsiderate. You are free to do just that but My first dog was crate trained within a couple of weeks. He did have accidents once in a while which to me is only normal. But he DID NOT howl the way Bailey does.

In any ways, please keep in mind that I am doing my best here and came here for advice on how to make things better for my pup while I am at work!

[StaceyB]

Reasons why a puppy has accidents in crate. The crate is too large. Puppy is able to go to the washroom at one end and sleep at the other w/o touching it. Puppy is left in the crate for a longer period of time than what they can hold. A puppy of 10 wks should not be kept in the crate for any more than 3 hrs at a time.
A puppy that is 2 months can hold themselves aprox 2 hrs, 3 mon- 3 hrs, 4 mon- 4 to 5 hrs, 5 mon- 5 to 6 hrs, and 6 mon getting close to 8 hrs. The time needs to be built. A puppy can usually hold themselves longer at night than during the day. They are not as active during the night.
Your puppy will need to relieve themselves between 5-20 minutes after eating. The meals should be scheduled and not left out. Give no more than 20 minutes to eat at each meal. They will need to go as soon as they wake up from a sleep/ nap and during and after play.
Until your puppy can hold themselves for an entire work day they should be enclosed in a safe room. You can use an x-pen, washroom or kitchen area. The floor should not have carpet. It is much too hard to clean properly and remove smells. Purchase enzymatic cleaner to remove all the smells of urine and feces. Any product that has amonia smells like urine to a dog and household cleaners will only mask the scent to you, not to the dog.
The safe room should be set up with his/her crate with the door open. Don't leave bedding in there that a young puppy may chew and swallow. Have a place that is acceptable for puppy to use as a washroom area. A puppy pad is a better choice than paper because it has plastic on the bottom so the urine does not soak into the pores of the floor. It also has a scent that attracts them to that place to use. I would get the frame for it so your puppy doesn't drag it around the room. Paper does not absorb anything, the ink gets spread everywhere and the urine soaks into the floor, nothing to stop it. More importantly if you use the pad, once the training is done the product will be gone and nothing else will be around that is similar. If you use paper it is possible that there may be a time that someone leaves one out and your puppy uses it.
There should be a few safe toys that your puppy can't ingest and a source of water. Water needs to be supplied at all times and if you are worried of it getting spilled you can get a water bottle designed for dogs. You can attach it to the crate. When you come home the pad should be removed and resume your training outside. The only time the puppy pad should be on the floor is when you are not home.
A 10 wk old puppy can't be left in a crate for 8 hrs. It is possible for them to get a urinary tract infection or other related health issues. This can happen when a puppy tries to hold it in and is not physically developed enough to do it.
During adolecence your puppy may back track again with potty training and other behaviours. They usually go through this around 5-6 months.
When you are not home, play talk radio in the room.

[jessi76]

Originally Posted by melz

I'm looking for ways that will later help me break the habit.. as well as ways to make her stop howling during the day as it disturbs my neighbours.

Don't let it become a habit in the first place. Pups that young need you - they rely on you, for food/water, potty breaks, and socialization/bonding. You can't expect a 10wk old pup to not howl when she's left alone for so long, or to go without food/water or potty breaks. Lucky is right, it's unrealistic and inhumane. Please do right by this pup, adjust your schedule, or put her with someone who can properly care for her.

[mona_b]

[QUOTEmelz]In any ways, please keep in mind that I am doing my best here and came here for advice on how to make things better for my pup while I am at work![/QUOTE]

The only way you can make things better is to have someone come in and let Bailey out.8 hours is way to long for her to be in there.You do know that at her age she needs to be fed 3 times a day?And 8 hours is to long for her to go without food and water.She is just a baby and is lonely.That's why she is howling.

Please have someone come in and let her out to drink and eat,take her out and play with her.

I also suggest you get an Xpen.Or have the kitchen blocked off.

I never crated any of my dogs when they were pups.Past or present.I had the kitchen blocked off and puppy proofed.I had papers down.And I had water and dry food put down.Sorry,but I refuse to deny water.I had toys and a Kong.And I had the radio going.

Please don't take this the wrong way,but If you can't have someone come over,and you can't have her anywhere else then the crate for 8 hours,I would honestly think of adopting her out.Sorry,but that is just how I feel.And trust me,if people complain enough about her howling,you may have to rehome her.

What breed is she?

[Roxy's_MA]

If you live close enough to where you work, maybe you could come home for lunch, spend a half hour with the pooch, let him go to the bathroom.

We did this with our pup so she was only ever left for 4 hours until she was about 6 months old. Luckily my BF was less than 10 minutes from home so it worked out nicely.

Good luck!

[Lucky Rescue]

I'm not trying to make you feel "cruel and unthoughtful" merely stating a fact. Not everyone knows what is inhumane and what is not.

A 10 week old puppy should not be left alone for 8+ hours a day. If someone cannot come in during the day to take her out, it's better to rehome her. That's all.

[melz]

Thanks guys. I hope I don't sound like I don't care for her at all. I've had a long talk with a friend of mine (dog groomer) and i admit I have been thinking about finding a better home for her.

It breaks my heart though - but then again I thought i could manage it and its not good for the puppy. I'm taking this hard because if it weren't for apartment living then I could have better arrangements for her. (Our dog Mozart was often in his crate when we were away but he was equaly gated in the dining room where he had access to a doggy door).

I understand this is not in her best interest. I am looking for a new home for her. I just thought i'd get some advice to see if there was a way around that but there isn't. sigh.

Thanks for your advice. Sorry if I have frustrated any of you. Cross your fingers for me. a co-worker of mine may be interested.

[StaceyB]

Why is it not an option for you to set up a safe room for her. Many other dog owners have the same type of schedule and manage just fine.

[melz]

Because I had tried that before and its worse with the howling. I've gated her in the kitchen before and because the entrance door is right next to the kitchen, she cries at ever little sound of people going up or down the stairs. I've tried putting on the radio to block the noise but she cries even more w/ the radio on.

walls are really thin where I live. Ever night after work I get a behavior report from my neighbour. Its so bad that he knows the difference between Mozart's and Bailey's cries.

Their crates are in my bedroom because i don't have neighbours on that side of the apartment. I semi close the door and turn a fan on high to circulate the air and block out the noises from the hallway. But even then the upstairs neighbour and the guy who lives next to me can hear her.

PS. Stacey.. i'm also in Ottawa.

[StaceyB]

What about blocking her in the washroom. I really hate to see people have to give up their puppies. We would all like to help you out with whatever we can to help you keep her. I won't be opening up my doggy daycare for at least a couple of months but there are some in the area as well as dog walkers. I am sure they don't charge all that much. Also make sure she gets plenty of exercise to tire her out.

[melz]

well it turns out the both families who were interested in Bailey aren't interested anymore. So looks like I'll be keeping her, which I am relieved.

Now.. Would a big wire crate do? Would anyone suggest that? If its big enough to put a training pad or paper in one corner, a bowl of water attached to the wireing and a nice soft cushion for her to sleep and play on. I think she'd be much happier with that no?

She's gated in the washroom today. we'll see how that goes until i get that huge crate.

Thanks a lot for your help! I really want to do right by this puppy.

[jessi76]

Originally Posted by melz

well it turns out the both families who were interested in Bailey aren't interested anymore. So looks like I'll be keeping her, which I am relieved.

Now.. Would a big wire crate do? Would anyone suggest that? If its big enough to put a training pad or paper in one corner, a bowl of water attached to the wireing and a nice soft cushion for her to sleep and play on. I think she'd be much happier with that no?

She's gated in the washroom today. we'll see how that goes until i get that huge crate.

Thanks a lot for your help! I really want to do right by this puppy.

no, a huge crate is not a solution. It will just encourage her to eliminate in her crate - please don't do that. If you are keeping her, your best solution is what Stacy suggested, blocking her in a room (or x-pen) with the crate open, so she can eliminate away from her crate. A 10 wk old pup will spill a water bowl attached to a crate, I use, and recommend the water bottles for dogs. My pup got the hang of it in about 5 minutes, and it doesn't spill. regarding a soft cushion, it's a nice thought, but remember 10 wk old pups who are left alone get bored and chew - a cushion will be unstuffed and ingested in no time.

Let us know how it goes with her in the washroom, but I still strongly suggest adjusting your work schedule, hiring a dog walker, or enrolling her in doggy daycare. She shouldn't be left alone for 8+ hours, in a washroom or a crate.

[StaceyB]

No, you don't want her to start using the crate as a washroom. I would pick up a x-pen instead or continue to use the washroom as her place.

[stressedoutdog]

I am having problems with my dog peeing in his crate. I have very recently acquired a new dog. He is almost 4 years old. He is a Jack Russell Terrier/Pitbull Mix. We have very strong reason to believe he was at the very least beaten by previous owners. He is house trained and we have no problems with him peeing in the house. However when we put him in his crate, immediately he pees in it. He is only in his crate while we are gone to work or go out. The time doesn't matter, I went out to the gym for an hour and had let him out to go pee before hand and he was soaked with pee when I came home. So I don't think it is so much that he can't hold his pee but more of a fear of his crate of some sort possibly. I am very patient with him but my partner is quite fed up and upset with this behaviour. I am not sure where to start to fix/stop this problem. If anyone has any ideas or suggestions please let me know. The poor dog has been through enough I just want to be able to help him and solve this problem as he is an incredible dog besides this problem.

[guamlet]

We have the same problem with our 3 yr old beagle. The problem started shortly after getting a new puppy as a companion. Both are kept in crates for 8 hours at a time (work and sleeping), but the beagle had previously been able to hold it that long. We noticed he loads up on water so we've limited that. we've been to the vet and ran almost every urine test and microbiologic test possible with no physiologic causes. We did get antibiotics several times, and they actually seemed to help for a while, but that could have been psychologic, and while we were giving the antibiotics, we were being super vigilent to make sure he peed outside before going into the crate. In the end, the vet said that the excessive drinking was likely psychologic. I agree with eariler threads that talked about the "instant gratificiation" from them peeing once when they had to go badly. If you can keep the bladder empty before going into the crate, that can help keep that down. I think we're going to try taking all bedding material out and go back to basic potty training techniques. If anyone has any medical reasons for this behavior, I'd love to hear about it.

[badger]

Stressedoutdog, maybe the former owners in addition to beating him, left him for long periods in his crate, when he would have no choice but to go at some point (and perhaps out of fear). Someone on the board suggested making the crate a positive place for the dog by feeding him there, tossing in treats, a Kong stuffed with something tasty, toys. Maybe someone will come on and confirm this.
Poor boy, thanks for rescuing him.