Pooping in Crate
by Carrie Anne and Cricket
ORIGINAL MESSAGE:
Cricket is now almost 8 months old and we are still having potty training problems. I'm sure I'm missing something, I just can't figure out what. Cricket is never in his crate more than 5 hours during the day and generally can hold his business that long, but recently, ever time I come home, when I get up in the morning, and if I'm doing other things in the house and have him in his crate since i can't watch him, there's a poop (more like 4-5 "logs"). Also, when he goes outside he's been getting it stuck to the fur every time (I haven't changed his food and they're still solid). He will also tinkle a little sometimes (which I don't think is submissive because he'll do it in the morning or if he's been in his crate while I've been home). He still can't be trusted out in the house for more than 5 minutes, so consequently most of his out time is spent in my lap (where he wants to be and I know he won't wet). I always use a cleaner like nature's miracle on the crate so there is no residual smell. I'm wondering if maybe I made the wrong decision to train Cricket to go outside?!? Is it possible that 5 hours is too long for an 8 month old? I should note here that he will sometimes do this after only 1 or 2 hours. Should I reconsider puppy pads (I tried them at first in a bathroom and he *never* went on the pad...anywhere but, so even if I decided to switch to the pads, I'm not sure how I could ven begin training him. This is getting really frustrating for me (and I'm sure for him too). I had hoped he'd have enough control by now that he could stay out most of the time. Please help!
DISCUSSION:
I am still haveing some problems with Chloe going in her crate. And yes, we have moved her into a smaller crate. As a matter of fact, it is almost too small for her. She just has no problems with sleeping in it. We have been trying to figure out a way to feed her so that she is getting the same amount of food, but finished eating by around two in the afternoon. It hasn't worked yet.
Anne
(i posted a messagere same topic to anne and chloe) I recommend the housebreaking techniques described by the Monks of New Skete in the book "How to Be Your Dog's Best Friend" as it worked so well with Moxy. I was able to let Moxy run around the house from day 1. I took her out every hour or two for the first week, told her to "go pee" and then praised her as soon as she started to go. Same for poo. If she starts to pee inside, I just pick her up without scolding, plop her outside and tell her to pee. She usually finishes her pee outside and then I praise her. She now goes on command and will respond with a bark if I ask her if she "has to go out? go pee?" Now, she can be alone in the condo for over 10 hours and hold it (I don't leave her alone this long often.)
I think it was the time we took at the beginning and the consistency that made the process successful. I even skipped the paper/pad training as I felt it would confuse her to have an intermediate step if it wasn't the actual behaviour I wanted.
patricia and moxy
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