How do I stop my dog from going in her crate?

Question

My boyfriend and I have been at house training our corgi for just about a year now. No matter how many times or how often we let our dog outside she still uses her crate to void. There is the occassion that she will go when on the leash (when she does she gets loads of praise) but more often than not she will only smell around outside until we bring her back in. We have tried the take her outside and if nothing in 5 minutes bring her in and put her in her crate for 5 mins then take her outside again/repeate method but she seems to hold off from going until we have given up from exhaustion and she just goes in her cage.

About 3 months ago we thought she finally had it. She was holding it through the night and while we were at work and she would rarely have an accident in the house or crate. But in the past month she has reverted back to the way she was when she was a puppy. Nothing tramatic has happened so I am un-sure where to turn.

Any ideas on how to break this habit?

Answer 1

Is your crate too big? This seems to be an issue with many dogs. I had one of my puppies in a large crate for a while and she would use the bathroom on one end and lay in the other. She stopped when I bought a smaller crate. They say the dog should be able to stand and turn around and it shouldn't be longer than the dog.

You can also limit the amount of food and water you give her before she goes in the crate to avoid her needing to go. I get up at least and hour and a half before I have to leave and feed the dogs and make sure they use they empty their systems before I leave and then have to come home for lunch to let them out. I don't feed them at lunch and limit the water they drink. Also they get put in their crates at 10pm and I make sure they have nothing after 7pm.

Do you praise her when she does go outside? (and hopefully never punish when she does inside) My 4 1/2 month old pees even when she doesn't need to when I tell her to potty because she is praised when she does. (Good potty outside!!) Spend more time outside and get excited when she does - if you get excited and she associates the word with the action it may help. (like potty training a child...use praise, a treat, etc)

Good luck!

Answer 2

Odd, most animals wont void where they sleep. You might try taking out the bedding she has soiled and placing it outside where you want her to go potty. If you have to walk her on a leash and can not leave the soiled bedding outside, wrap it tightly in plastic,(so she cant smell it), put it up away from her area removing it only outside when you think she is ready to go. Wash crate with a mild yet affective deodorizer such as vinegar. Carry her favorite snack with you outside and give her a small piece when she has done what you want her to do. IF SHE soils her crate, (most dogs view this as a sanction) remove crate for 15 Min's and return it to her, (washed) she will get the message. Good Luck

Answer 3

I definitely suggest getting a new crate for your dog. Make sure that the crate is not too big. It should be just large enough for your dog to be able to stand up, turn around, and laying down in. If it is too big, your dog could do it's buisness in one end and move to the other end to lay down in so it doesn't have to lay in the pee or poop. If your dog does have an accident in a smaller crate, trust me, it wont want to be in it and have to lay in it so it will learn not to do that. Also, your dog may be able to smell the "accident" in its crate so it may associate its crate with going to the bathroom.

Make sure to give your dog lots of praise and a treat immediately when it does its buisness outside. If nothing seems to help, talk to your vet to see if he/she can recommend any thing else or refer you to a trainer that may help with any training ideas for you.

Answer 4

Normally if a dog is going in their crate that means the crate is too large. He sould be able to stand up, turn around and lay back down. No other room where he can lay away from his feces.

5 minutes is not long enough to wait. Wait at least 30 minutes.

Answer 5

okay first off your crate is way too big . get your crate the size that the dog can only turn around in lay down in and sit in ,other than that it is too big . buying the crate too big will encourage the dog to void in a corner of it . and when you let it out of the crate take it outside to do it 's business this will re enforce the house traIning proceedure and yes it is a proceedure. good luck and god bless.

Answer 6

HMM. Hard question. Well I would first Close the crate door. then i would always walk her on the leash only and then praise her by giving her treats. So she will notice. Hey whenever i go to the bathroom when on the leash i get treats. Until she gets good at it only give her like a scratch behind the ear.

Answer 7

I think the first thing you need to do is buy a new crate. Her scent is obviously in this one, so she is using it as a guide for her to "mark", or expel. Maybe try to put her in a small bathroom with a baby gate at the door instead of a crate itself?

Answer 8

Is she spending too much time in the crate? Have you checked with a vet to rule out any illness?

Answer 9

A medical problem comes to mind..take this puppy to the vet get a thorough exam done including urinalysis and bloodwork. Check for UTI, bladder/kidney issues.

Answer 10

there is a product you can buy at pet supply stores - its a spray - a house breaking aid..

running stimulates the bowels... also the food will dictate how often it poops - better food = less poop

always always go out with the dog and reward it instantly with a soft treat reward when it goes outside....