training methods other than crating

[bankythehack]

ok a few months ago I got a pug puppy, I started using the crating method, leaving in her for a while then letting her out regularly, well after a while she seemed to stop waiting for me to take her out, and just goes in her crate, so it seems i have to clean it like everyday which is getting frustrating. what should I do?

[Babyblue5290]

Maybe her crate is too big. Sometimes when the crates are too big they decide to use it as a restroom and sleep on the other side.

[bankythehack]

Well it fits pretty her pretty well but just in case I kinda stuffed up the back to restrict just a little bit more and she kept on doing it.

[Babyblue5290]

hmmm....How long do you leave her in there?
and How old is she?

[bankythehack]

shes about 2.5 months and never longer than 4 hours

[bankythehack]

oh sorry its been that long since i got her so more like 3.5 months

[Babyblue5290]

Ok so from what I've heard puppies can hold it for an hour each month of age during the day and twice that at night. So since your pup is 3.5 is should be able to hold it for 3.5 hours in the day and 7 hours at night. But this also depends on things like the ammount of water they drink and size of breed. Your dog is small so it probably has a smaller bladder.
Not sure what to do for you, but if you look in the puppy forum many people are having this problem. So you should be able to find some great info.
Or you can repost this their so more people can help you.

[Doberluv]

It is unusual for a dog to mess up his "den." That is...if he can possibly hold it. I don't know what you're doing when you take your dog outside, (are you staying with him until he goes?) but be sure to take him out more often than you think is needed, take him to the area you want him to always use, walk around a little till he goes. While he's going, say, "good pee pee" or whatever command you want to use. Use the same thing always. The instant he's finished (not while he's going, or he may stop) praise him and give him a really special treat. Make a big fuss over how wonderful he is. Then bring him in and have some play time. It sounds like you must not be getting him outside often enough. You should be able to intercept these times that he's going inside his crate.

Try to emphasise that going OUTSIDE is what you want and motivate him and make him see how much more wonderful it is to go outside than in...that outside is where you want him to go. Don't worry too much about telling him how it sucks that he's going inside...don't draw too much attention to that. Just go heavy on the outside emphasis.

If you're having to clean up a mess, don't do it in front of him. Don't make a big deal out of it. Don't scold him. If you catch him in the act, you can say, "eh-eh-eh!" And whisk him outside quickly to his spot. If he finishes there, don't forget the praise.

You may need to take him out more often than you would think you do. He mustn't be having more accidents or he's going to think that's OK.

I'd feed him earlier than you are....maybe late afternoon and pick up his water an hour or so before you put him to bed at night. Otherwise, I wouldn't keep water from him. Normally, they should have it available at all times.