I have a 9 month old American Bulldog and when my son returned home my dog starting peeing and pooping in his crate again. He was left out all day long when my son was here at home with him, which is fine because he behaved. And my son took him out constantly to make sure he wouldn't mess the house. Now my son is gone again, this time to the Army, so back to the old routine of him being home alone in his crate from 8 to 4, I know it's a long time to hold his business, but I'm working. Before he would give me a warning cry if I was in bed and now he cries after he's made the mess. Or I smell it cause he doesn't cry at all. I'm to the point of giving him away. Any other suggestions besides this one?


Quoting Melik80:
Easy solution, that will not work unless you stick to it to a T. A mistake means a loss of all progress.

1--get a steel wire crate, with a divider that is adjustable so you can increase or decrease the size of the crate.

2--adjust the crate so that the dog can only stand up and lay right back down. DO NOT give enough room for the dog to turn around or move other then just standing up and sitting or laying back down or it will soil.

You started a bad habit and it will take months of doing this with NO accidents to correct this action. Your dog is soiling out of WANT, not out of NEED. You have sound feeding schedules and if your times you take the dog out are sound by doing this you take away the dogs option to WANT to soil inside. Since the dog will not NEED to soil while in the crate, problem solved.

I have had over 8 pit bulls and use this with every last one and it has NEVER failed me. Tough love is what is needed at this time. Most people give the dog toys, add extra to it's crate, give it attention and free reign of the house it is WRONG. You are praising the behavior. You should take away attention and ANY treats or toys or praise until the actions stop.

When you come home and there is a mess show the dog no attention, when there is no mess then give chew toys, play and have fun with your dog. When it's time to leave take it all away and put the dog back in the crate.

NEVER should a dog soiling inside have free reign of a house, a room, or anything for that matter until the dog respects the space that you have already gave it nomatter how small.

If you do this it will work if you don't it will continue.