[mfrancis220]

We recently got a new puppy and at first we were crate training her, but we stopped because she kept pooping in her crate. My husband and I work and both try to take her out during the day, so she only has to hold it for maybe four hours. I know she can, because we have left her out of the crate with my other dog and she doesn't even go.

What do we do? Should we go back to crating her and just picking up the pee and poop every day?

[Lucky098]

How old is this puppy? Age makes a huge difference. Very young puppies have a hard time understanding house training. Older puppies who continue to poop where they sleep may have an over load of worms.

Also, what are you feeding her and how many times a day? I know a lot of breeders suggest to feed 3 times a day, but in the working world that just doesn't work for the people. The more a puppy eats, the more they have to poop within 24 hours. Two times a day is good enough as long as she maintains good weight. Also, what times of day do you feed her? I like to feed when I get up for the day, usually around 8am and feed around 5pm.. Puppies also have to potty about 15 minutes after eating, so give yourselves enough time to feed her and give her a potty break.

It should be time for her to visit the vet for her vaccines, talk to your doctor about your concerns. They may have a solution for you.

Another thing to think of is, your puppy might be a dirty puppy. They do exist and I'm not going to lie, they are hard to deal with. Puppies that come from pet stores or from big commercial breeders are typically very dirty. You're just going to have to establish where she needs to stay clean and where she can potty.

I would also suggest that someone take a week off to get this dog heading in the right direction. I understand that you both work, but in order to be happy with your puppy and your puppy to understand what you want, someone is going to have to sacrifice some time and teach this pup what to do.

Use your crate. Don't teach your dog that your house is her toilet. At least the poop and pee is in one place and not all over the place. It also keeps your furniture from being destroyed. Your pup might not be destructive now, give her a couple weeks.. you'll regret letting her do it.

Unless you catch her in the act of pottying in your house, do not punish her. Just clean it up and move on. If you do catch her.. interrupt her by making a loud noise and carry her outside. Then praise her when she potties outside.

[mfrancis220]

She is 2 and a half months. She's generally a very well behaved dog. Its just disturbing that she seems OK to sit in her own poop and pee and it seems that because of that crate training might not be a solution.

Maybe the worst thing we did was stopping the crate training because she was going in there. Our other dog never did and it made it easy to housebreak her.

Thanks for your help! Yes, we will be taking her to the vet soon and will see what they advise.

[binkia]

Next time she does it you should tell her of she should learn but you said you had another dog are you sure that it's the puppy that's doing it.

[Lucky098]

Binkia that doesn't even make sense...

[JudyKayTee]

Next time she does it you should tell her of she should learn but you said you had another dog are you sure that its the puppy that's doing it.

I have no idea what you just said. Would you please explain it?