puppy crate training issues.?

Question

hi i'm having some issues with my 11 week old puggle. hes really sweet when were together but once we're apart hes a terror. he howls, whines, and hates being alone. i never let him out of the crate until he is quiet. he always has to be placed in the crate, he won't go in for any treat, food, nothing will get him to even stick his nose in. also he pees in his crate, sometimes immediately. i walk him seven times a day, his food and water is restricted. everytime he walks he goes pee but if i put him in the crate after he always pees. i know he can only hold his bladder for so long but even if he pees outside if i leave the apt for five minutes, he pees again. his crate is sectioned off so its not too large for him, its covered, cool, i play classical music, he has a kong chewing toy with treats shoved in it. ive tried blankets but he just pees on them. i don't know what else to do. i've researched and am at wits end. also he never poos in the crate. nothing so far has helped. help!!!!

Answer 1

Uncover the crate and put it in a living area. Put him in it, and drop treats into it whenever you walk by (but only if he is quiet). This almost always works quickly.

Have your vet check for a urinary tract infection - a frequent cause of puppy peeing problems.

Answer 2

Have you thoroughly washed the crate after he pees in it? You may not be able to smell it, but the puppy can.
do these things and see if it will help.
1 - pour some white vinegar on the bottom of the crate and then wash the crate out with some good strong soap and rinse it . 2 - wash his blankets and toys. 3 - get a big flannel shirt that is clean and wear it. While you are wearing it, lay down and let the puppy lay on your chest. This will put your scent and the puppy's scent on the shirt. 4 - place the clean blanket in the crate and lay the flannel shirt on top of the blanket. See if the puppy is more willing to go into the crate. 5 - Always carry the puppy straight outside after feeding it and upon his awakening. I always said their pee - er was attatched to their front leg, if the leg moves, it pees! A puppy's bladder control takes time.

Answer 3

It sounds like you are doing all of the right things. Are you feeding him on a schedule too? Routine in all aspects of training is very important, and regulating the input helps regulate the output. Never put food in the crate, except for the kongs with treats, which is a good idea. He is still young and will continue to push the limits to see what you'll let him get away with. He may be having some separation anxiety issues. Be persistent, keep up what you are doing. Be sure to never use the crate as punishment. Talk to your vet to see if they recommend anything else, but I think you just need to keep up the consistency and time will produce the results you seek. Maybe he doesn't like classical music. Try another genre of music, maybe a radio station where he can hear people conversing occasionally. Best wishes

Answer 4

In beginning training, you want to spend more time supervising him outside of the kennel cab than time he spends in it. Don't put any blankets or towels or cushion or anything in there except for when he comes in from just having gone potty and being praised. Then put him in there with a Kong toy or a small inedible Nylabone. If he pees immediately, take him out immediately and outside to his potty area and order him to "take a break". Even though he just went, you want to reinforce to him where the potty place should be! Then praise him if he at least acts like he is going and squeezes out a few drops. When he is inside, supervise him closely and take him out any time he starts to sniff and circle. When you put him in the cab, let him know that peeing in it might get him out for a minute to clean it and take him outside but he will keep going right back in as long as he has that behavior. He can only be expected to hold it for about an hr per month of age.
Just be consistent and PERsistent. It's hard at first but it will get easier if you stay consistent.
When you put him in the crate and he throws a fit, you can try putting a light sheet over it to cut down on the stimulation. Don't stick his nose in it anymore! Try the positive reinforcements of praise and training treat for when he goes where he should.
He is still a baby dog. They don't train themselves like cats practically do. Give him access to fresh water at all times when he is out of the crate, except just a few laps after playing after about 7 p.m. You may be overusing the crate.
It's a LOT of work in the beginning but hang in there!
Also, how much room does he have in his crate? He may need a smaller one where he can't get away from the pee if he decides to go in it. This deters him from doing this unless he gets used to it and then you have another problem.
Make sure you take him out to potty just before you go to bed, and a few times in the night and first thing in the morning while he is so little.

Answer 5

Sounds to me like the dog has always been forced into the crate so he thinks it's punishment.I think you should start over with the training and let him go in and out of it as he pleases until he's comfortable .Put his favorite things in there , and don't close him in right away.You may have to get a new crate altogether .My friend uses a large 3'by3' kennel type crate for her four chihuahuas ,and trained them like that and they all love their crate, it's like their "safe place" or "den ",and the door is left open all day so they can go in whenever they like.They will only sleep where they feel comfortable and safe.The dog also has to have plenty of room to be able to stand ,and turn around in the crate.When he starts sleeping in it on his own, then you can start closing the door gradually.Good luck and best wishes to you .

Answer 6

I do know that the crate is supposed to be the dog's "safe zone." Like a personal den, bedroom, that they can run to and feel "in charge" and secure.
You walk him everyday: that is awesome. A lot of dog owners don't do it enough. It forms a bond and understanding between you and he, and it wears out any energy that would otherwise turn negative if the dog were left to sit.
I'd say that the pug is having some anxiety issues, certainly. Since he seems most anxious when alone or when you're out of reach/sight, I'd also say he has a control issue.
Don't cover the crate.
He needs to see out. Train him to respond to your commands of sit, stay and down. And let him wander the apartment: you have to see what he'd do if you weren't there so you can correct any bad behavior that would otherwise occur when you are gone.
Locking him away when you leave will just increase his animosity toward and fear of the crate.
Check out Ceaser Milan (The Dog Whisperer)'s training videos and site - check for episodes about anxiety issues.
The dog needs to learn that you are his leader and that what you decide, goes.
Until your training is complete: puppy pads.
And try giving him your bathroom or kitchen while you're away if you aren't comfortable with giving him the whole run of the house. When he starts to pee in his crate, take him outside until he understands that peeing in his bed is never going to be okay. Correct the behavior as soon as it happens and try to direct positive authority in his direction: let him know you are in control.
Never yell: he'll just think you're unstable and that will increase the problem.
http://www.dogpsychologycenter.com/tips/behavioral_issues01.php

Answer 7

There are options like pee pads or "indoor potties", however, I strongly recommend against them - they encourage the dog it's okay to go inside the house. I would just keep doing what you are doing, and get the dog on a schedule for feeding, play, and potty. the dog will learn the schedule pretty quick and his body will adjust to it. As for how often for a 12 month dog, every dog is different, and it also depends on the size of the dog. Medium to large dogs can go only 3 or 4 times per day, where a small dog needs to be out much more often.

Answer 8

you are doing everything right. I suggest buying him a belly band. It is like a diaper for male dogs. When he pees, he will pee in the absorbent diaper and get himself wet. Dogs hate this and will learn to stop. We had to do it for my brother's dog. If he tears off the band, get him a basket muzzle so he can't.

My brother's dog screamed and cried just like your dog did in his crate and we always had to force him in. He went bonkers every time for about 4 weeks then finally learned to like his crate. Now he goes in on command. Your dog is still a puppy so don't worry he will work out of it.

Answer 9

Time for a vet visit. Start with having him checked for underlying medical issues. A puppy with UTI for example is near impossible to housetrain.