[scoop1021]

My puppy is 16 weeks old. He is doing great in housebreaking but when he's in his crate he poops and pees. We have taken him to the vet about the frequent urinating and he was on some meds. For a UTI. The meds are gone and he's still peeing a lot in the crate but my main concern is the pooping daily in crate. He doesn't eat in the mornings before we leave for work and we take him outside several times before we leave. Please help me!!

[labman]

How old was he when you got him? I have been long puzzled all all such questions I see. I have had 16 different 7 week old puppies since 1991 and know of hundreds more that never had such a problem. Really thousands. Oh, maybe a few accidents over night or when left 4-5 hours, but that only lasts a few weeks. Just recently, I realized one of the many thing most breeders fail to expose puppies to before they are 12 weeks old is being alone. People buy a 3 month old puppy and leave it in a crate by itself for the first time in its life. Many studies have proven that past 12 weeks, puppies are much slower to accept new experiences. The strange, new, unnatural experience creates stress often leading to eliminating.

It may help if you were able to build up longer times in the crate, but for those that have to work for a living, often can't do that. Check the sticky at https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/dogs/i...tml#post251802 Among other things, I suggest a grid to keep the puppy up out of the urine. It doesn't work near as well on stools. It also says lay down in front of the crate until the puppy goes to sleep. Another thing you could try is a Kong filled with peanut butter. Freezing it makes it last even longer. The more food motivated puppies may be too busy licking the peanut butter out and fall asleep before remembering to be stressed.

Better leadership is important as mentioned in the sticky. The key to most behavior problems is approaching things using the dog's natural instincts. Dogs see all the people and dogs in the household as a pack with each having their own rank in the pack and a top dog. Life is much easier if the 2 legged pack members outrank the 4 legged ones. You can learn to play the role of top dog by reading some books or going to a good obedience class. A good obedience class or book is about you being top dog, not about rewarding standard commands with a treat. Start at Raising Your Dog with the Monks of New Skete For more on being top dog, see Establishing and Keeping Alpha Position, Letting your dog know you are the boss

This is good for such younger puppies: ''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.

This a real problem, and I see good evidence that it comes from poor early socialization. Between forcing the puppies to live in their filth, and a lack of experiences, it is no wonder there are such problems. The worst thing is that it is not only the puppy mills and backyard breeders that don't know any better, but some thought to be better breeders.