Puppy Problems!

[PuppyPalace]

Well my puppy (Scarlet) hates being caged she howls and cries like crazy. But being a puppy when nobody watches her i can't risk accidents in a new house. Recently she has been pooping in her cage? Early i came home around 12-1pm and found poop in the cage, i let her out to play. Then about an hour ago i put her back in the cage to clean my horse stalls i came in the house to another pile in the cage? I was thinking maybe she's doing it to get back at me or to get out of the cage. I thought i would buy puppy pads but then maybe that would incourage the pottying in the cage? Or maybe i don't take her out enough or "fast" enough? Anybody have idea's on how to calm her down and keep her from pottying in the cage? Thanks

[rabbitsarebetter]

sounds like her crate is too big.
or you are waiting too long! How old is she and how long is she in the crate?

in her crate does she have toys? Kongs are great for crates. maybe cover the crate up with a blanket also if you are wanting her to go to sleep in there

[bumhouse]

My pup likes his crate and often goes in there just to get away or to sleep on his own. I have always made it a very neutral place to be and ALWAYS treat him upon going in and even AFTER I have closed the door. I am very fortunate because he has never solied in there. I have a 4 month old collie.

I agree that the crate can't be too large, and to some mine may look small for him but it is cozy and he does have room to lay out flat although he has to hunker down a little if he wants to stand. I have a plastic crate with a handle on top not the open wire kind were they can see everything they can't get to but want.

I do put my pup in the crate for time out but I don't yell or anything, I just stick him in their and tell him to go the BED, or NIGHT-NIGHT, or take a NAP. He usually does which brings my to my last point - Make your pup as tired as you can before you put him in. If you walk him or play, then take him to potty, he may do his business( exercise will stimulate him to go) before you put him in and just fall asleep as soon as you put him in the crate. If Colt protests the crate I will take him out ONE MORE TIME and give him a chance to go. If he doesn't, I assume he doesn't have to and ignore any further protests.

I am a stay at home Mom with a pretty regular routine so my pup caught on to when he would be left alone and when I will return fairly quickly. I think part of it is developing somewhat of a routine for a pup so they know how long they have to wait before relieving themselves. If it varies all of the time I think they just give into the urge because they don't know how much longer it will be.

I hope this helps - GOOD LUCK!!

[PuppyPalace]

ok thanks, she is 8wks old. I do have her in medium sized open wire cage, i also have another one bigger that folds and such. But i only put her in there with my yorkie. She spends 75% of her time outside, she refuses to sleep in her cage. The only time she's in a cage is when i'm not home, she's out all night and most of the day.

[girlbuffalo1]

The crate should be VERY SMALL at this point--just enough that she can lay down and turn around. This will help with the pooping issue. Wrigley has pooped once in his crate (he is in it all night and half a day since 10 weeks--he is now almost 9 monts)--the only time he did it was because he was sick.

[PuppyPalace]

I can handle the soiling but the barking and howling at 3am in the morning waking up the family is another story.

[bumhouse]

Try putting the pup in there when you are home - that way he won't associate the crate with you being away. Where is the crate at night? Mine is in our bedroom. Some dogs get really lonely especially when they are that young. We also keep the crate in the kitchen during the day. This is a central area in our home so even if he is in there he is still in the mix and with people. We were very fortunate....Colt (a collie by the way) took to the crate training thing right away. He is a very quiet pup and never really barks or cries - his thing is biting though. I guess they all have their things.......

[PuppyPalace]

Yes i keep mine in my bed room and the larger cage is in the kitchen.