my dog is pooping in her cage at night(could it be regression?)?

Question

i have a 10 lb yorkie and she is fully potty trained...she started sleeping in her cage at night and is doing perfectly fine until recently....shes been pooping in cage and i beleive she is doing it on purpose because i believe she thinks if she poops she can sleep in bed with me but no i clean it right upand put her back in.....its a pretty tight space so she can only turn around but its not working....its it regression because she cant sleep with me????

ok....my dog is 1 years old....and yes her crate fits her fine...its not too small nor too big....she is potty train and will not go in the house...i work from 8-5 but my sister is home most of the day to take care of her...she recently started pooping in her cage at nite...i do feed her the right amount of food everyday twice aday...i take her out before i go to work and on my break and when i get home from work and before i go to bed i do make sure she poops outside but lately she seems to be pooping in her cage...now she used to sleep in my bed at night but my parents trained her to sleep in her crate she was doing great till now....her poop is normal so the vet says...can someone tell me if she is doing this be cause she misses sleeping with me....i mean the crate is right next to me where she can see me....????

Answer 1

that sounds like too small of a cage for her. That's not a night crate, it sounds more like a carrying crate. It's almost inhumane to put her in something that small. Make sure she goes to the bathrooom before putting her down for the night, and get a bigger crate. tb

Answer 2

Puppies go through a stage (typically- some dont but some do) where, after they are fully trained they try to test the limits.
This is where you start like you would be starting all over again for training. Eventually they will get the hint that nothing is going to change. The crate size is good for now while you are in training- because the less room the less likely they will try to go to the bathroom. With that said, when she is older, purchasing a larger crate may be in order

However, you also need to check the quality of the fecal matter. Does it look like it has worms? Is it solid? What is the color? and does it have an mucus on it?
If your answers seem to show it has worms, isnt solid, is green or red or has mucus on it, she could have an infection and should be taken to the vet


I also want to add- my dogs are crate trained, are in the crate when im gone, but when I am home, they are out. Including at night. I put a gate at the bedroom door so they cant get out, and they sleep in my bedroom- they know only to come on the bed when I call them up. This may be something to consider, but of course- its up to you

Answer 3

There are too many unknowns to adequately answer but one thing for sure, the crate is too small when the dog can barely turn around. The crate is to be sufficient for the dog to stand up and completely turn around. Place a towel or crate pad inside for the dog's comfort.
If the dog was sleeping with you until just recently, it may be retaliating because it sleeps in the crate now and is not getting your attention.
You do not have to answer these questions on line but consider this. Dogs get jealous. Consider whether the dog's schedule has changed, a new family member, family member has departed, change in feeding schedule, change in work schedule. A sudden change in behavior if not related to any of the above, could indicate a health problem. Next time, try to note if the dog whines first or scratches on the crate-signals it wants out. Best wishes to you.

Answer 4

You didn't say how old the dog was, but it's very possible she is not "fully potty trained" and needs a nighttime potty break. You are doing the right thing by cleaning it and putting her right back, but remember if you are putting her in her crate all day while you are at work and locking her in her crate at night to sleep, she's probably in there much longer than she should be. Yes, dogs feel secure having a den, but more than 10 hours total is excessive.

Answer 5

Hi, I understand that you are looking for some advice or resources to help fully train your dog or fix behavior problems. If a professional dog trainer is not an option at this time, or if you want to trt training your dog on your own (a great way to bond), I'd suggest you https://tr.im/BNwiW

A friend recommened it to me a few years ago, and I was amazed how quickly it worked, which is why I recommend it to others. The dog training academy also has as an excellent home training course.

Answer 6

Yeah, or either the cage scares her and she doesn't know what to do but poop. My yorkie always seems to poop at the vet cause he is scared. I let him sleep with me though.. He is only 4 pounds though. He also has a mind of his own.. and if he gets mad at me usually there is a mess on the floor.

Answer 7

No, dogs don't poop in their crate to try and force you to allow them to sleep in bed. She is not getting good chance to poop outside, you are over feeding her, or you aren't feeding good food and it's upsetting to her stomach.

Answer 8

Maybe you should try getting a bigger cage or a doggy bed for
her to sleep in. Think about it which do you like sleeping in a
twin, full, queen, or king size bed. poor puppy. You don't have
to have her sleep with you but at least think about the comfort
factor for her.

Answer 9

Lillian,did you do the Vulcan mind reading hold with it?maybe its crapping because your not feeding Fido in the morning and not letting him poop after you come home from work?

Answer 10

ok no its not that it could be that she needs to be let out or hse could be that she doesnt lik the way she is being treated come on poor thing needs a bigger cage than that