View Full Version : 8 month old cock-a-poo
apollo08
Dec 11, 2008, 05:42 AM
I have a 8 month old cock-a-poo. He poo's in the cage. I have tried everything. How can I stop this. I walk the dog frquently. Then he gets it all over him. The dog will hold it till he can't any more. I need advice I am going crazy cleaning his crate.
ZoeMarie
Dec 11, 2008, 05:46 AM
Does he like his crate? By that I mean, does he go in there by himself? Have you tried feeding him in there? We started feeding our puppy in her crate so she would think of it as her own little place. I keep the bowl in there even if it's empty just to remind her that she eats there. Dogs don't like to potty where they eat. This was a suggestion from her trainer at puppy classes and it seems to be working, of course, she would only pee in her cage
apollo08
Dec 11, 2008, 05:52 AM
does he like his crate? by that I mean, does he go in there by himself? have you tried feeding him in there? we started feeding our puppy in her crate so she would think of it as her own little place. I keep the bowl in there even if it's empty just to remind her that she eats there. dogs don't like to potty where they eat. this was a suggestion from her trainer at puppy classes and it seems to be working, of course, she would only pee in her cage
Yes he is now used to his cage. But for example this morning we woke up to a total mess. He had done everything = all over himself. Its almost like he just does not care. I have walked him several times. We had to clean him up then walk him again and then just a few minutes ago he pee pee- I just don't know what to try to do.
starbuck8
Dec 11, 2008, 05:54 AM
Yes, have you in the past put him in his cage as punishment? Also, how to you walk him? Is it a walk where you just let him wander and sniff? How long are his walks? When he does pee or poop outside do you reward and praise him a lot?
apollo08
Dec 11, 2008, 06:02 AM
Well, I work so he is in his cage for about 5 hours not to long of a time. I take him out when I get home and before. I usually feed him early in the morning. I don't really think he thinks his cage is punishment because he is there most of the time. When I am at work.
So, I just don't know what else to do.
ZoeMarie
Dec 11, 2008, 06:06 AM
Give him treats when you put him in there so he's excited to be there. We put some peanut butter or something in a kong for our puppy. As soon as she sees the kong she takes off running for her cage. It's actually pretty hilarious.
apollo08
Dec 11, 2008, 06:08 AM
Well, I work so he is in his cage for about 5 hours not to long of a time. I take him out when I get home and before. I usually feed him early in the morning. I don't really think he thinks his cage is punishment because he is there most of the time. When I am at work.
So, I just don't know what else to do.
starbuck8
Dec 11, 2008, 06:09 AM
Do you walk him before you go to work? How you walk him is important. He needs to burn off pent up energy. Do you just take him for a stroll before you go to work and when you come home? I know it might sound odd, but one really does have an awful lot to do with the other. How do you handle it when you see he has pooped all over his cage. Do you get angry and yell at him? I know it's not fun to get up to that, but if that's what you do, you are sending him negative energy, and he won't stop.
apollo08
Dec 11, 2008, 06:14 AM
I have in the past gotten very angry and this morning my husband was the one who saw the mess and I got up to help him. I always walk him on a leash. He understands when we see the mess who does appear scared.
Should I change the time I feed him= I usually feed him around 7am and I have not feed him yet and I know he is upset about that.
starbuck8
Dec 11, 2008, 06:44 AM
Okay, he knows that you are angry and frustrated with him. He definitely senses that, do he is likely getting anxious and afraid. It really never is about the dog. He's not doing this to make you mad.
Almost one hundred percent of the times it is the owners fault in training themselves wrong. Now don't get me wrong, I'm not calling you a bad owner at all. You just don't know how.
Your dog doesn't see you in the leadership role. You have to establish that first, and then everything after that is much simpler. The reason I keep asking about the walks, is because just being put on a leash and taken outside for a stroll isn't a walk. A good walk, where he burns energy is where you keep him on a short lead and have him walk right beside you, or ideally behind you, with the leash at the top of the collar. If he gets distracted, you give him a quick "snap" to the side. (not hard, but just to divert his attention) Walk at a fast pace, as if you are on a mission, and his only option is to move forward. Walk him for long enough to tire him right out. Let him have a short break in the middle of your walk to do his business, and then keep on walking.
When you get home, feed him, take him out maybe about 15 minutes afterwards just in case he needs to go again. and then put him in his crate, while you are still home. That will teach him that you don't just put him in there and leave him alone. Put him in at other times when you are home too, just so he knows that his people do not always leave him when he's in there. Leave him plenty of chew toys, and things to keep him busy. You might even want to put one of your old shirts or something with your scent inside of his cage, in case he gets lonely while you are gone. That way he will still be able to smell your scent.
Your smell and your energy are the greatest things your dog picks up on. If you are upset, he senses it. I'm sure you've seen dogs that comfort the sick or grieving people. They don't know what you are going through, all they are doing is picking up on your energy. I'll PM you a video for you to watch that just might help you a little more with him messing in his cage.
Edit: It doesn't look like I can PM you. If you would like to watch the video, let me know, and I'll post it for you.
ZoeMarie
Dec 11, 2008, 07:06 AM
Your smell and your energy are the greatest things your dog picks up on. If you are upset, he senses it. I'm sure you've seen dogs that comfort the sick or grieving people. They don't know what you are going through, all they are doing is picking up on your energy.
That is definitely true. My back hurt really bad a few weeks ago and Zoe could tell something was wrong. I just lay down on the couch completely flat with my knees up to stretch a little but since I don't normally lay on the couch she came running up and started pawing at me. I didn't respond for a second and that's all it took for her to jump up and start licking me in the face. Dogs pick up on everything
starbuck8
Dec 11, 2008, 07:13 AM
I've got a really bad back and hip injury, and arthritis has set into it. If the weather turns cold or rainy, Niki senses that I am going to have a bad day, and she always snuggles into the small of my back, or she will actually kneed my hip with her paws. She's my four legged massage therapist, lol!
ZoeMarie
Dec 11, 2008, 07:18 AM
Awww! I love dogs!
apollo08
Dec 11, 2008, 07:20 AM
Yes, I would like to watch the video. I have trained my other dog which is a schaunzer. She is 7 years old and does not do anything in the cage unless she is sick. She just started doing poo in the cage when I got the cock-a poo. I thought dogs would learn from one another. There is a big age difference between both of them he wants to play all the time.
About walking him. Yes I put him on a leash take him to the back yard and he walks around until he does his business. Sometimes he just won't go. I see what you are saying about actual walking down the road with him. I will try to and see what happens. I walk him after 15 minutes or 20 after he eats and goes and does number 1 and that's all.
You can email me the video at
[email protected] if you want to. I have to go to work now so I will sign on again this afternoon.
starbuck8
Dec 11, 2008, 07:22 AM
Yes, i would like to watch the video. I have trained my other dog which is a schaunzer. She is 7 years old and does not do anything in the cage unless she is sick. She just started doing poo in the cage when i got the cock-a poo. I thought dogs would learn from one another. There is a big age difference between both of them he wants to play all the time.
About walking him. Yes i put him on a leash take him to the back yard and he walks around until he does his business. sometimes he just won't go. I see what you are saying about actual walking down the road with him. I will try to and see what happens. I walk him after 15 minutes or 20 after he eats and goes and does number 1 and thats all.
you can email me the video at
[email protected] if you want to. I have to go to work now so I will sign on again this afternoon.
Okay, I'll do that. Have a great day at work. I hope you don't come home to another mess. ;)
(I've written down your email. I might suggest that you hit edit and delete your email address now, just for safety's sake.)
apollo08
Dec 11, 2008, 01:54 PM
Hello, got home no mess boy I was happy. But he usually makes a mess at night. We walk him at 10pm or so. And then we get up at 4:30 to 5:00am and he has already done his business. Everyday something new with this dog.
starbuck8
Dec 11, 2008, 02:01 PM
That's great! Maybe he sensed that you were trying to help him on here! ;) I sent you your links!
Have a good day! Time for me to get back to my C'mas stuff... maybe! LOL!