Hello, I have a ~12 week female yorkiechon, Sophie, who has recently started to poop in her cage but only in the day when we aren't home. She makes it all night & will whine if she needs to go out. I leave for work at 7am, my husband comes back around 11:30 am & he will let her out. The problem is, she won't go & then he has to put her back in the crate to go back to work. Up to this point, she is fine. It's the time between Noon & 3 pm that she poops in her cage! We need some advice on how to properly train her not to poop in her cage. Can anyone help?

Sounds like it could be separation anxiety. How big is the crate you are using now? If it is too big they will designate an area to use the potty. All your dog needs is room to stand and do a full turn and be able to lay down.

I know it sounds cruel, but you should take all blankets and pillows out of the crate, replace with one piece of card board. If she is a chewer, and you have the type of crate with the removable tray in the bottom, put the card board under the tray, this will provide a bit more cushion for her.

Make sure to give her plenty of time out side before you go to work. If possible, don't feed her before work, maybe a small handful of kibble, but make sure she is able to use the bathroom before she is crated.

You can also try leaving the radio on low, this helps some dogs relax. Never use the crate as punishment, this needs to be a safe happy place. If you are able to take her for a short walk before you go to work, this will help stimulate her bowels and bladder, increasing the chances of her using the potty out doors instead of in the crate while you are away.

Thanks for the info. She goes out when we get up at 4:30 am & then I take her out once more before I leave at 6:50. She doesn't have any accidents then - it's after my hubby comes home for lunch - he was feeding her then but we have since stopped & that seems to have helped. She is doing better...