I have a 7 month old chihuahua that I keep in his cage when we are working. He has been doing good in his cage, no accidents until I let him sleep in our room on the floor with our little rat terrier. Then when I put him in his cage for me to leave the next morning, I came home to poop in his cage. Could this have just been an accident or what should I do?

This happened once or more than once?

He's a baby - how long a period is he "caged"?

This is the first time. He's been in a cage since we got him when we are away. He has been in the cage up to 11 hours but yesterday only the normal 8 hour workday.

I wouldn't worry about one time - maybe he has to "poop" more often than once a day, on your schedule.

He's a baby!

I am surprised you have caged him for as long as 11 hours but I realize people have to work and support themselves and their dogs.

He was only in 11 hours one time and it was unforseen circumstances. OUr rat terrier is also crate trained. No accidents ever in his cage. I just don't want to go home to poop in a cage every day. I love both the dogs. The rat terrier was a rescue dog and he is so spoiled and the chihuahua is getting spoiled and my husband and I love that. I was just concerned he was going to show me he didn't want in his cage after we started letting him sleep in our room on the floor with the rat terrier at night. In the beginnning the chihuahua was in his cage at night and then we wanted to try and see if he could be out like our rat terrier at night in our room and he does fine (only 2 nights so far).

At 7 months of age the longest period he should be caged is 7 hours, and that's pushing it.

He simply cannot hold it for that long, so I'd say this is definitely a one time thing. When you're desperate to go, you go. Can you hold it for 11 hours? I can't.

Is there anyone that can come over during the day to let him out for a potty break and a run?

When I got my first pup I had friends come over and let the dog out every couple hours.. a pups bladder can't hold onto things for very long.. I think it might have been a one time accident because he couldn't hold it in any longer.

11 hours is very long. I don't leave Zoe in the cage for more than 6 hours. I come home on my lunch break and let her run for a bit. It helps break up the day. I realize not everyone is able to do this, but as Alty suggested maybe you could arrange for someone to let your puppy out when you can't get home.

On a side note, if this is happening when your puppy is caged for shorter periods something to consider would be how much room he has in his cage. If there's too much room he's more likely to go potty in it. There should be enough room for him to stand up and turn around, stretch out, etc.

Ok, the day he did this he was only in the cage for 8-1/2 hours. He was only in the cage ONE time for 11 hours and did fine then. He has never done this until yesterday. I thought he was upset because I made him go back in his cage after he was permitted to sleep in our room with the other dog.

I agree with zoemarie.
You shouldn't keep a dog in a cage for 11 hours straight.

You can get a niebour or friend to let your dog out every few hours.

Do you live near where you work?
If you do then I would suggest going home for your lunch break and let your dog out for awhile.

How many walks a day does your dog get?
You should walk it at least 2 times a day, once in the morning and once in the evening.

Good Luck!:)

Everyone seems to think I keep him in his cage 11 hours every day, that's not the case and wasn't the question. I only had to do that once. We have a fenced yard and he gets out a lot with our rat terrier. I was just curious if he did this becaue he didn't want in his cage once we let him sleep out of it at night. We used to keep him in there at night and when we were at work but want him to have more freedom like our other dog.

Nobody said that. Calm down. What we're saying is if you think he will be in there that long just see if you can arrange for someone to let him out. We're simply saying that 11 hours is a long time.

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Originally Posted by rachaelspud

Everyone seems to think I keep him in his cage 11 hours every day, that's not the case and wasn't the question. I only had to do that once. We have a fenced yard and he gets out a lot with our rat terrier. I was just curious if he did this becaue he didn't want in his cage once we let him sleep out of it at night. We used to keep him in there at night and when we were at work but want him to have more freedom like our other dog.

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I did try to address your question earlier in the post but it was ignored.

What part did you think was ignored? I know 11 hours is long and hate doing it. Like I said it's usually 8 hours at most. My concern was he's never done it until I let him sleep in our room and I was wondering if this is his way of saying he doesn't want in his cage any more.

Zoemarie

Yes his cage is just large enough for him to lay in and turn around. That's another reason I was so surprised he had gone in his cage and on his blanket I lay in there.

Do you put toys in there or anything for him? His cage should be his happy place. Zoe gets a treat and toys every time she goes in her cage. It takes some time but we're at the point where I can say "Momma's gotta go" and she'll go right in her cage and lay down.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by rachaelspud

What part did you think was ignored? I know 11 hours is long and hate doing it. Like I said it's usually 8 hours at most. My concern was he's never done it until i let him sleep in our room and I was wondering if this is his way of saying he doesn't want in his cage any more.

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I think "Alty's" question can be put into this situation - could you "hold it" for 8 hours?

Again - we all do what we have to do in order to make a living but this dog is "caged" for an excessively long period for a baby.

He's had a toy and also a kong with treat in it. Him and the other dog, Rusty go righ to their cages when I let them back in just before I leave for work. I just say "time to go to your cages" and they go to the basement and sit in them and wait for me to come down and close the doors. I'm hoping this was a one time accident and not retaliation because he wants to stay out all the time now.

I would see if it happens again. It's possible that it is a one time accident but I would be surprised it doesn't happen more often if he's in there 8 hours at a time. Good luck! And keep us posted.

Thank you for your suggestions.