I need any advice anybody has to offer! I have a 4 1/2 month old male Shih Tzu (Wicket) and I am having the hardest time with him. I just got him on the 21st and he was very good the first night. He has the whole potty training thing down pat with minor accidents in the beginning ( I understand the adjustment period) and within the last 3 days he has had one accident! I am very please with how he is progressing in his potty training but I am have the worst time with him pooping in his crate. Every time we leave him alone in his crate, whether it is 2 hrs or 2 minutes, he cries and then poops. Every time, it never fails. I take him out almost every hour when I am there and sometimes he doesn't poop until he is left alone in the room, then he cries and poops. I have got the "Comfort Zone" spray that is supposed to help alleviate the stress and it does not seem to work. I have also tried the "radio on-talk show" thing, and that doesn't work. He does very well in his crate when we are there, but once we leave, there is always crying and pooping! I would really like some advice as to help with this problem. ANYTHING!

Thank you!

Although I have solutions to many problems, fouling the crate is not one of them. A grid in the crate makes urine easier to cope with, but doesn't work well wit bowel movements, or solve the problem. They are available with the crates, but expensive and hard to find. A piece of closely spaced wire closet shelving from a home supply place is cheaper. I am now using a plastic vegetable bin with plenty of holes drilled in the bottom. It helps block off part of the crate for the smaller puppy.

Exactly what goes on in those furry little heads is hard to say. Could you be convinced he is doing it deliberately to protest being crated? If so, it certainly is effective isn't it? Many ''experts'' say no way. It could also be the stress of being left behind in the crate.