So like I've been reading on this website we're having a problem with our puppy pooping and peeing in the crate. He is half Japanese Chin half Mini Schnauzer and when we got him he was 8 weeks old. The first two weeks we had him he was great, didn't do anything in the crate. We were thinking, this puppy is going to be a breeze. Boy were we wrong! After the two weeks he starting just peeing and then it turned into doing both. We started with a larger wire crate and then went and bought a smaller plastic crate. He can just barely stand, turn and then lay down. We feed him twice a day. In the morning at 5:30ish and at night at 4:00. We take up the water bowl @ 5:00p. The last time he goes out at night is about 9:30. Im up with him at 4:30 or 5:00am. We leave about 7:10am and my daughter is home about 2:15pm in the day. Ok so here's the question; what do we do?? He's now going to be 4 months on Wednesday (Oct.27) and it seems like he's getting worse not any better. Friends and family aren't much help when we tell them that he goes in the crate; What they don't usually like to lay where they go. Yea, thanks for the tip. Out vet said we are doing everything right and can't do much more. When we are home I take him out at least every 30 minutes to go and so far he's doing really well with that. He follows small commands good and he has the great potential for being a good family except for this problem. I feel like now that is doesn't seem to bother him and why should he hold cause he can just go and that's it. It's like a really difficult kid that Im trying to potty train. Will he continue to do this? We're hoping that he will eventually grow out of this. Should we go back to the bigger crate. He's not a happy camper when we put him in it. If he isn't really tired when he goes in, he'll bark and yelp like somebody is trying to kill him. What do we do??

Hi Toothfairy

I'm no dog expert by any means, but here's my take on this...

I would recommend that you get a really good enzymatic cleaner that will remove any residue/odors in the dog's crate and the surrounding area... follow directions on the bottle exact. By using this enzymatic cleaner you will actually remove odors to the level that a dog needs the odors removed so that the pup won't associate the cage with urinating or pooping anymore.

Next, I think your schedule is confusing to the puppy. Almost 7-8 hours without going out at night (9:30-4:30ish) and then a couple hours and a final walk until your daughter arrives home at 2:15 ( another 6 hours) and then you say you guys are taking the pup out every 30 the minutes or so the rest of the time... tough schedule for a pup!

I think you need to make a new schedule and stick to it for a couple months until new habits have been established... then you can begin to work back into a more normal routine.

For example, I would recommend that you take your puppy out an hour (or sooner) after eating and drinking. Otherwise, spread the times out to every 3-4 hours. That means overnight and during the day if you can, too. Here, you would have the puppy's last walk at 9:30, but you would need to wake up at 1:30 and take the pup for a quick (but relaxed) pee. Then morning pee/poop at 5:00 ish and final walk out the door at 7:00ish as you go to work/school. Next walk should be at 12:00ish if possible... any neighbors or friends that could help? Is someone in your family close enough to come home at lunch for just 6-8 weeks? Maybe hire a dog walker for a couple months (or more) for the lunchtime walk?

See, if this schedule or a similar schedule can be maintained for 6-8 weeks and the pup doesn't have many accidents then the dog will stop associating the crate with pee/poop and will associate your arrival home with pee/poop. Over time you can stretch the times out and get through the night without issues. I would, however, advise you to try to continue to get home around lunch time to try to walk the dog if possible. My pets love it and never fail to pee a river!

All dogs are different, of course, but this schedule has worked very well for my pups over the years... thought I would pass it on... :)

Good luck!

Mark

PS: Any future "accidents" must be cleaned with the enzymatic cleaner to remove all odors/residues, OK?

Thank you Mark for your answer. Any thoughts or opinions are helpful. Our vet did say that like every child, every puppy is different and maybe he just can't hold it yet.

That;s what I was thinking, too...

New schedule, new routine and soon enough the pup will be back on track!

Have a great day! Mark

PS: Check back for some "expert" advice later... have some very knowledgeable people here, but we are all volunteers and come in to answer when we can... :)