Potty problems with my Miniature Schnauzer
I am hoping someone might be able to help solve some problems I am having with our new puppy. Finzi is 14 weeks old, and we just got him a week ago. He is a product of a puppy mill, and for whatever reason, the pet stores passed on him and we got him from a rescue society.
Finzi is extraordinarily sweet, but we are having some difficulties. When I put him in his crate, he always poops and pees. We get no notice that this is going to happen - no crying or anything - and it doesn't seem to matter how long he has been in the crate or how recently he has gone to the bathroom! We tried getting a few things - I took the blanket out of the crate (it was soaking up the liquid) and we put him in a smaller crate. We take him out as often as possible, but he seems to be a pooping, peeing machine! To make matters worse, I find him soaked in his own urine (reasonable to deal with), but there is no poop, because HE ATE IT (not as reasonable - his puppy kisses are pretty stinky!).
However - I think this is really interesting - he really wants to be with our 2-yr old Rhodesian/Boxer mix (who normally sleeps on her bed, not in a crate). Last night, I crated both of them in the same crate and Finzi had no accidents. I took him out in the middle of the night because our OTHER dog was crying, probably because she isn't used to being in a crate, except when we leave for work. Finzi was a dream though.
So should the older dog just get used to being in the same crate and get over it? I don't mean to rob her of her freedom and cushy bed, but if it means I am actually able to sleep rather than cleaning poop and pee in the middle of the night, I'm all for it.
I've never owned such a young puppy, much less one that came from a puppy mill, so I don't know if this is "normal" behavior or not. He seems to produce more waste material than our 50-lb. dog - it's amazing! We put him outside very frequently and reward with praise and treats, but if he has to go while in the house (even if he just peed 10 minutes ago), he doesn't seem to have much guilt about going inside. And he puts out so little, that if we try to stop him or move him to a housebreaking pad, he is already finished peeing and I think it just confuses him to be immediately transported to across the room for no apparent reason!
Any thoughts? Perhaps this is all totally normal behaviour, but I want to make sure he is raised properly and potty-trained as quickly as possible. Thanks for the advice - it is greatly appreciated!