Hi! We got Rogan at 4 months old from a kennel and I believe he got used to eliminating in his crate and cleaning up after himself as well as eliminating wherever and whenever he wanted. Since we got him 4 months ago, he has improved with housebreaking issues. However, the rule of thumb I heard is he should be able to hold his pee for 9 hours (months ofa ge + 1). He has no problem holding his pee overnight or whenever he sleeps for up to 10 hours at one point. However, when he is awake he will not hold it. If we are there, he wants to go out every two hours. If we are not there, during the day during the work week, he pees probably 2 or 3 times in the crate during the 8-12:30 time frame and then again 2 or 3 times during the 1:00 - 5:00 time frame. I have no idea what to do... I know he doesn't want this nor do I as an owner. How can I help him?

Have him examined by a vet, he could have a urinary infection that has reached his bladder.

I will have a vet examine him... but I am not sure if it is a health problem - he can hold it for a very long time when sleeping (in our bed though not the crate).

I would consider blocking off part of the crate so he doesn't have any extra space to use as a bathroom until he stops with the accidents. Nine hours is a long time for a puppy. I am glad you are able to break up the day for him. I would recommend lots of outdoor activity (long walk, play fetch, run around with him) before work and as much as possible during "lunch". Exercise will stimulate him to eliminate and hopefully empty his bladder. Also he might be tired enough to nap most of the time you are gone.

The crate is blocked off... he just lays in it unfortunately. But I will try to exercise him more before being put in the crate... I take him for a walk but not a very long one... I will try that. Thanks.

I have a bulldog puppy and the vet told me to feed her in the crate and she will not eliminate where she eats. At first I thought this was mean to feed her in there but I tried it and she never went in the crate again after one feeding in there! It works.