A month ago, we purchased a golden retriever from a local pet store. We've always bought our dogs from reputable breeders but for some reason, this one pulled on our heart strings. The problem is, she was 5 1/2 months old when we got her and had been there since they got her from the breeder. As you can imagine, the crate training has been an issue. Though she had gone the past week with no pooping accidents, the past 2 night she has started going again. I called our dog trainer and she suggested making her crate smaller (she has room to lay down and that is it), feeding her once a day in the afternoon, and giving her plenty of exercise. We are feeding her Iams but she suggested switching to Eukanuba instead. We have taken all of her suggestions but switching food. Can you give me any ideas on how to get her to stop pooping in the crate? I know that I am fighting an uphill battle given her previous conditions. Also, the trainer suggested that when she messes her crate that we should leave her in it for 24 hours. Still take her out to play and potty but not cleaning the crate. What do you think about that? HELP!

I am not much impressed with your trainer. Some of my reading suggests the Iam's is a little high in fat, but it really isn't that different from Eukanuba. I wouldn't mess with the food except switching to the adult version if still on puppy chow. That slows growth and gives sturdy joints more of a chance to develop. The less a young dog is given, the easier it is to work around any allergies in later life. If you do switch, stick to the same protean source.

The 24 hours in the crate after a bowel movement is an absolutely stupid idea. The problem is that in the past she was forced to live in her filth. You want her to learn she doesn't have to, and to enjoy a clean crate. Go back to the full sized crate.

Moving the meal time to mid day was meant to give her time to process her food and have her bowel movement before going in the crate for the night. Exercise before going in the crate for the night can stimulate the body to a bowel movement. You could move to a morning feeding. I feed morning partly because the dogs and I are nearly always home then. They tend to have their bowel movements over with before we go out in the evening.

Iam's or Eukanuba should produce small, firm stools. Perhaps you have other dogs on it. If her stools are large and loose, you should have a vet check her. Could be nothing wrong but her individual chemistry. I had a Lab 4 years ago that 6 cups of Pro Plan was barely enough to keep his ribs hidden, and produced large stools. It left me wondering if they ahd cheapened it, but other dogs were producing normal stools on it.

Perhaps you need to talk to a rescue that has more experience fixing dogs that got a bad start. These are dogs that lost their home, but were taken into a foster home to be retrained as necessary and placed in the right home for them. You may find a rescue near you starting at http://www.akc.org/breeds/rescue.cfm Find somebody that loves Goldens (Who doesn't?), has experience with the problem, and is dedicated to helping. Make it plain that you plan to keep her, but need good advice. If you are working by phone, it doesn't even need to be near you.

Thank you so much for your response. I am confused about 1 thing though. I have always heard that when you are crate training, you should give the puppy only enough room to lay and turn around. The idea being that they don't like to soil their "den". If I give her the full run of her big crate, won't it give her less of a reason not to poop in it, since she will easily be able to get away from it? Also, if I make it full size, do you recommend putting some sort of bedding in there (bed, towel, blanket, etc.)? We haven't in the past since her area is so small. One more issue... as disgusting as it is, she will occasionally eat her poop. Any ideas there? My guess is that this is a learned trait stemming from months in the pet store cage. We've definitely gotten more that we bargined for with this pup! Thanks!

Eliminating in the other end of the crate is a step toward eliminating outside. The bedding may be more of an issue on what works best on cleaning the crate and her. The take the crate out and hose it off weather is slipping away. I sometimes have suggested the wood shavings, but that might be too much like back in the pet store.

I would go to adding something to her food to stop the stool eating. Pineapple juice and canned pumpkin come from reliable sources, or the commercial products, Deter or forbid.

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Originally Posted by tcrgg

Also, the trainer suggested that when she messes her crate that we should leave her in it for 24 hours. Still take her out to play and potty but not cleaning the crate.

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The person who told you this should be stripped of any right to train, advise or have animals. I'm sorry to be so blunt, but this is sick, punitive and borders on cruelty. My stomach aches.

Thank you for that. I agree with you and haven't followed that advise but... what I really need are helpful suggestions. I've got 5 beautiful kids and another dog to deal with as well. I want to exhaust all of my resourses before I give up on her but I can't continue to wake up to a poop filled crate each morning.
Thank you labman for you suggestion about contacting a rescue organization to ask their advise. I plan on doing that today.

OK, so its been a few weeks and she went the first week without any accidents (she was spayed at on that Monday). After the first week, she started having accidents again. On top of that, for the past 3 nights, she has gotten me up at least once a night barking. She is driving me CRAZY!! I feed her in the morning, she goes out many times a day, and her last time out is hardly ever before 10:30/11:00. I have gotten up the past 3 nights and taken her out and she does pee. Should I just be grateful that she is letting me know or angry that she doesn't hold it? She never goes for more that a few seconds, it's certainly not a lot. My gut feeling is that she just wants someone to visit. I think I'm being "played". We keep her in the keeping room off the kitchen so she isn't isolated. If I ignore her, she will wake up all the whole house. Any more suggestions for my "problem child?".

Hi tcrgg,

Boy, it sure sounds like she may have a bladder infection because of the small amounts of urine. If she were mine, I'd have that checked asap as that's got to be painful. Poor thing. Dogs and kids can be manipulative, but this doesn't sound close to what's going on. Please give her hug from me then take her to the vet, k?

Becky

You know, I really don't think that's it. She pees normally throughout the day and was checked by the vet a week ago. On top of that, she's been on antibiotics for the past week following her spay. I don't see how she could have an infection. I think the amount is so small in the middle of the night because she really doesn't have anything left. Normally, I would agree with you but in this case I really feel like she is being manipulative. She goes back in on Friday for another check. I'll mention it to the doctor. Thanks for your thoughts

Like Becky, I thought bladder infection, but perhaps it is just the typical Golden neediness. They can be very demanding of attention. Maybe if she gets plenty through the day, she will let you sleep the night. Still, mention it to the vet.