im new here & need some help w/ my dog!!

[i<3dogs]

hi im new at this site and i was hoping id get some answers to my questions about my shih tzu, Phoebe. She's about a year old and i got her from my aunt when she was about 5-6 months old. So, I never got to see her as a puppy=[ When i first brought her home she did okay and with time she learned to tell me when she needed to go out but lately she's been going potty in the house a lot and i'm trying to limit her and get her on a scheldule cause i messed up and didn't know that tip before and now i'm paying for it. So, am i doing the right thing? Another thing, i'm 15 and have school and my dad works so she has to be home during the day sometimes and she has a really hard time with it. I've tried everything ...but it seems like nothing ever works... what i mostly do is leave her in our garage in a cage but she always goes in there. which i thought was weird since i thought dogs didn't like to go where they r laying? So, when i get home usually i have to clean her up and im getting tired of it and i need an idea that will just work!!! lol I was just reading about crate training and was wondering if this was a good idea? I thought maybe i could move the cage inside and put her bed in it with toys and blankets and during the day she could get used to go in it when we are home and then maybe she wouldnt be so scared/mad when she's in it when we are gone. It seems like she goes not because she has to but because she's mad at us for leaving her. this is my first dog and my dads pretty much leaving it up to me and its definitely a big responsibility! She's the sweetest, lovingest dog i've ever met when we're home but when we leave she turns into a little devil!! Can someone please respond on some tips or ideas to help me and Phoebe???

[Baxter'smybaby]

welcome!--first thing I would suggest is changing your print color, so we can actually read it.

[i<3dogs]

better? :)

[Baxter'smybaby]

better? :)

Much! Thanks--yes, I think crate training could be helpful to you. You say you have her in a cage when you are gone--how big is the cage? If it is too big, she won't view it as "her space" and may soil it. Take a look through the stickies in the training section--there is some great info. in there.
You are right--it's alot of responsibility. Are you out of school for the summer? Now would be a great time to really work out a schedule for your dog.
Oh--welcome again, and please share pictures when you can.

[squirtsmom]

Welcome to Chaz. You have to monitor your dog and take her out probably at least every hour when you are home. You will get good advice on here so hang on .

[i<3dogs]

thanks, you guys! ...yes i'm out of school for summer so that's y im trying to figure out scheldules and stuff to get her on track. shes such a good dog she just hates being left alone. the cage isn't too big i was thinking about putting her bed and toys and stuff in there and leaving it in the house when i'm home so she gets used to it then she'll b better with it when we're not home she'll maybe WANT to go in it ya kno? but maybe you're right maybe it is to big i didnt think it was??

[Dekka]

Toys and bed are good, try feeding her her dinner in there too (dogs don't generally go where they eat either)

[hedwig]

my friends dog used to pee on his food. stupid thing