[angieangelnum1]

I need help and I am literally pulling my hair out in tears everyday because of it. I have a 6 month old border collie mix who refuses to stop peeing in his crate. I have a feeling it is a behavioral problem. He has been to the vet and his bladder is fine. Whenever we leave we put him in his crate and sometimes he will just stare at you and pee right there. Everything we come home he has peed and is soaked in it. He gets a bath everyday!! The other day he peed right in the dead center of his dog bed and just laid in it. I need help! I do not know whether to give him away or what! He has been to puppy training classes and everything. You can tell he is very smart and knows he is bad he just won't stop peeing!! Please help me answer this baffling question of why he keeps peeing in his crate??

Thanks,
Angela

[labman]

If you do a search here, you will find many similar problems. You will also see I struggle to answer them. So many things, housebreaking, walking on lead, dog won't eat, etc. it is ''Been there, done that'' - the way I was trained, and it worked. This isn't a problem I have had. My daughter did have a problem with her Lhasa/Min Pin. I helped them find a grid to go in it, and they applied their leadership skills and the problem cleared up fairly quickly.

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 stress. Being left by its self is an unnatural thing for a dog.

I think the first step is to eliminate the bedding. You might try wood shaving instead. If you do, let me know how it works. Racks do well with small puppies and urine. Another member here has raised the issue of the dog injuring a leg in the grid. I am reconsidering them. Just because I haven't had problems with a dozen or more puppies doesn't mean they are safe.

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.



You may want to look at your leadership. Unfortunately many obedience classes fail to teach the owner to be top dog. See http://www.dogbreedinfo.com./topdogrules.htm Here are some gentle ways to impress on a young dog you are top dog:


''Elevation for small puppies: Sit on the floor and gently put your hands around your pup's middle, below his front legs, and lift him up. He is facing you. Hold him for 15 seconds. Repeat until he no longer struggles. If he is past 10-12 weeks, lift his front feet off the ground, but don't pick him up.

Cradling for small puppies: Hold your puppy gently on his back, as you would cradle a small baby. If he struggles, hold him firmly until he quiets for 10-15 seconds. With larger pups, you can do this as your sit on the floor, with your pup between your legs.

Quiet lying down: Place your pup on the floor on his side, with all 4 legs pointing away from you. Use your hands on his neck/shoulder area and middle, to hold him in this position. When he is quiet, praise him. Lengthen the time that you keep him quietly in this position. When he accepts this position well, handle his paws and muzzle, while keeping him quiet.''

The quotes mean this isn't my original work. It is copied from my Puppy Raising Manual. I have long used these or minor variations of them, and they are very effective. You may want to give him a belly rub while he is on his back too. Helps bonding. There is a big difference between him rolling over and demanding a belly rub, and you choosing a time to roll him over and rub his belly. The latter cements your place as pack leader.

He is old enough to neuter if not already. Since he is showing such a problem behavior, you should reconsider any thought of ever breeding him.