View Full Version : Puppy pooping in cage again
newdoglover1
Feb 16, 2012, 03:25 PM
We have a 6 month old puppy who is still pooping in her crate while we are at work during the day. We took Melik80's advice about the crate, and it worked - for one week. She got fixed, and while at the vet's (all day) she was in a crate and we don't know if she soiled his crate or not, but now she has reverted back to pooping in her cage. There is not much room for her to move (about 8")in this crate, so closing it off more may not leave her room to lay down. What are my options/solutions? Is she doing this out of spite due to getting spayed? Thanks!
ballengerb1
Feb 16, 2012, 03:56 PM
How long is the dog in the crate and when is she fed? A pup will most frequently need to defecate within an hour of eating. Does she gets walks or turn outs or what?
Wondergirl
Feb 16, 2012, 03:58 PM
She's in the crate for more than four hours? If so, that's a long time for her to "hold it." Could a friend or neighbor or family member let her out and maybe take her for a walk so she can do her business? (Think and empathize--would you be able to hold it all day?)
Alty
Feb 16, 2012, 04:52 PM
The general rule with puppies is that they should only be crated (during the day) for 1 hour for every month of age. Your dog is 6 months old, so she shouldn't be crated for more than 6 hours during the day.
The normal work day is 8 hours, not including travel time. Is she in the crate more than 8 hours a day?
If so, you may have to find someone that can come to your home and relieve her.
She's simply too young to hold it for that long. She's not doing this out of spite, she's doing it because she doesn't have a choice. When you got to go you got to go. If you don't have the option of going outside, you go wherever you are.
Not trying to sound mean. If it's coming off that way then I apologize. I understand the need to work, and crating her is a good idea which I fully support. But puppies need more attention then an older dog. They need to go out more often then an older dog. They can't be expected to hold it as long as an older dog.
Can you find someone willing to come to your home during the day to let her have a run and potty break? That would be the best thing for all of you.