Zoe just turned a year old. We bought the largest cage we could find for her so as an adult she would be able to fit in it still. Well, she's getting too big for her cage now. She can stand up in it, but her head has to be down when she goes in and out. She can get turned around in it, but it takes a second. So I know when I'm at work it's got to be uncomfortable for her to be in her cage. I've moved her cage downstairs and kept her in there so she could get used to being down there. Then I gradually gave her more freedom. Well this week every time I get home on my lunch to let her out she's peed and/or pooped on the floor. I don't get it because she is house trained. She doesn't go upstairs on the floor. She's fine all night without going out. What do I need to do for her to stop this. I know I need to go to Petsmart and get more cleaner with the enzymes in it to clean up her mess. What am I missing here? She has her toys, her food, blanket, a LITTLE bit of water so she doesn't drink too much and have to go. Shaz? Alty? Anyone? Suggestions would be awesome. We want to get another puppy but don't want Zoe teaching it bad habbits.

It sounds like her freedom is making her feel insecure.

Is the crate still available to her if she wants to get in during the day?
It almost sounds like she is having separation anxiety from her crate.
I'm going to look this up and see what I can find.

It is odd because it is usually the other way around.

Her crate is right there in the room, with the same blanket in it, door wide open so she can go in there whenever she wants.

I should also add that when I got home she knew she was in trouble. She knew she did something wrong. She was hiding around the corner with her tail between her legs.

The only thing I read it that many dogs come to love their crate (or den,as they see it) and have a sense of safety in there.
Maybe she should still be in there if she is having anxiety about being out,at least until you can get her a bigger crate.

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Originally Posted by ZoeMarie

Her crate is right there in the room, with the same blanket in it, door wide open so she can go in there whenever she wants.

I should also add that when I got home she knew she was in trouble. She knew she did something wrong. She was hiding around the corner with her tail between her legs.

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She is so cute.
They always know when they have been naughty.
Its hard to get mad when they have guilt written all over them.:rolleyes:

I can't find a bigger crate though. That's the problem. We have an extra large... The thing is massive. LOL. I'll just have to look harder I guess. I know that she likes her cage because when I'm getting ready for work I say "momma gotta go" and she runs right down the hallway to her cage. She's so sweet and usually such a good dog. I think that's why I'm so ticked off. This is not in her nature.

When you are at home does she have fairly constant access to being with you?

This may be an a sort of anxiety related problem. Perhaps you could get her use to being by herself in a room uncrated for periods while you are still home.

Try and make this a positive thing. Give her something she really enjoys but can only get when she is by herself in the room. Perhaps a toy she likes or maybe a treat despensing object.

Hi, I'm new to this forum, but have raised poms for many years.

If she still likes the crate, and you come home at lunch to let her out, there is probably no harm in confining her while you are at work. If not outside, my dogs are always crated when we are gone, with a size 100, which is approx. as big to them as you are describing for your dog.

The best urine/poo cleaner I have ever found is a product called kids n' pets. HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT... it will remove the urine odor and leaves a pleasant orangey scent that is not at all cloying. It's available at places like wal-mart and target. Get the squeeze bottle.

Good luck,

Mb

Hmm... well, she does have fairly constant access to being with me and my husband, but she seems perfectly content to chew on a rawhide in the living room if we're in bed or busy doing something else. I agree it does seem behavioral, but I don't know what we're doing wrong.

I have no problem crating her. Really. But she's too big for her cage.

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Originally Posted by ZoeMarie

I can't find a bigger crate though. That's the problem. We have an extra large... The thing is massive. LOL. I'll just have to look harder I guess. I know that she likes her cage because when I'm getting ready for work I say "momma gotta go" and she runs right down the hallway to her cage. She's so sweet and usually such a good dog. I think that's why I'm so ticked off. This is not in her nature.

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You may have to make something larger, from scratch. Use your imagination. Also, she may be resentful. Ask your vet. She/he may have some suggestions.

I kniw exactly what you are thinking about because I had a dog just like that. He was an old dog so he was an inside dog and when I would go to school I would come home and I would have a little surprise left on the carpet. So basically know what you mean,but back to the point. I would get these little pads. But what you do is lay them down all over the room so that if your dog does his business all you have to do is roll up the mat and throw it away. It worked for my dog so I think that it could work for your dog. But also you have to remember thet it probably was your dogs first time with all that freedom so you have to take that in to consideration. You could also consider taking him to class to be pody trained.
But if you are gone all day than how is he supposed to go to the restroom?



Hope I could help .If not sorry
rsb8

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Originally Posted by rsb8

I kniw exactly what you are thinking about because I had a dog just like that. He was an old dog so he was an inside dog and when I would go to school I would come home and I would have a little surprise left on the carpet. So basically know what you mean,but back to the point. I would get these little pads. But what you do is lay them down all over the room so that if your dog does his buisness all you have to do is roll up the mat and throw it away. It worked for my dog so I think that it could work for your dog. But also you have to remember thet it probably was your dogs first time with all that freedom so you have to take that in to consideration. You could also consider taking him to class to be pody trained.
But if you are gone all day than how is he supposed to go to the restroom?



hope I could help .If not sorry
rsb8

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Our dog is house trained. She's been through several training classes. And the pads inside the house will only teach her that peeing in the house is OK. I appreciate your input but I don't think that's the route we're going to take.

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Originally Posted by ZoeMarie

Zoe just turned a year old. We bought the largest cage we could find for her so as an adult she would be able to fit in it still. Well, she's getting too big for her cage now. She can stand up in it, but her head has to be down when she goes in and out. She can get turned around in it, but it takes a second. So I know when I'm at work it's gotta be uncomfortable for her to be in her cage. I've moved her cage downstairs and kept her in there so she could get used to being down there. Then I gradually gave her more freedom. Well this week every time I get home on my lunch to let her out she's peed and/or pooped on the floor. I don't get it because she is house trained. She doesn't go upstairs on the floor. She's fine all night without going out. What do I need to do for her to stop this. I know I need to go to Petsmart and get more cleaner with the enzymes in it to clean up her mess. What am I missing here? She has her toys, her food, blanket, a LITTLE bit of water so she doesn't drink too much and have to go. Shaz? Alty? Anyone? Suggestions would be awesome. We want to get another puppy but don't want Zoe teaching it bad habbits.

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Hi I once had to deal with that to make sure you let her out before you go or take here on a long walk so she can let everything out before you go and doesn't have the need to do it in side. And if she dident go inside before your lunch break give her a treat and let her out again. :)

Zoe, have you considered an enclosure?

I have one for my bunnies, but it's actually for dogs.

The only downside is that it folds, so she could bump it enough to move it. Also, it doesn't have a roof, but it is big enough to house most dogs. It's mainly used when camping or outdoors, to allow the dog to be off leash but keep them where you want them.

It wouldn't be my first choice, but it may be your only option if you can't find a bigger cage.

Are you good at building? If so, you may be able to build something for her.

To me it sounds like anxiety. She's crate trained, so being out of her crate is making her anxious enough to forget her potty training.

Right now you have to be as positive as you can. Lots of praise when she's good, minimal punishment when she's bad. She needs to learn things all over again, because her crate is no longer an option.

Dogs are a lot like us, they don't like change. ;)

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Originally Posted by Altenweg

Zoe, have you considered an enclosure?

I have one for my bunnies, but it's actually for dogs.

The only downside is that it folds, so she could bump it enough to move it. Also, it doesn't have a roof, but it is big enough to house most dogs. It's mainly used when camping or outdoors, to allow the dog to be off leash but keep them where you want them.

It wouldn't be my first choice, but it may be your only option if you can't find a bigger cage.

Are you good at building? If so, you may be able to build something for her.

To me it sounds like anxiety. She's crate trained, so being out of her crate is making her anxious enough to forget her potty training.

Right now you have to be as positive as you can. Lots of praise when she's good, minimal punishment when she's bad. She needs to learn things all over again, because her crate is no longer an option.

Dogs are a lot like us, they don't like change. ;)

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If the enclosure slides , you can get large rocks or cinder blocks and wrap them in fabric, or put glue-on felt on them so they don't scratch the floor. These will support the sides and stop slippage. You can go to the local building supply store and ask a specialist what kind of materials there are. They have plastic lattice in 4' x 8' sheets. Use your imagination. Do you have an extra bathroom that will suffice for now? Look online for stuff, or ideas.

Here's one.

http://www.getprice.com.au/Iron-Pet-...--34718580.htm

Zoe, I'll build you a new kennel. I build everything else, why not a kennel?

Just send me the specs (measurements) and I'll do it. :)

Are you serious Alty? You're awesome!! I did go to PetSmart today and found a cage bigger than the one we have. It's an XXL. I had no idea they came larger than XL. The only problem is that it's more than I can afford right now. I think building one might not be a bad idea. The size we need is 37W x 54D x 45H. Maybe I should check craigslist or something...

Alty, seriously, you're awesome. =) If you can give me ideas on how and what from I can probably build one.

Alty, that's in inches

Zoe,

You may have noted me saying I prefer runs if there's room in the yard. This guy has some good tips on building one.

How To Build a Dog Run