[barbaradoodle]

Hi. I have a 10 week labradoodle. We have only had her for 4 days. She poops in her crate and jumps around in it. We have only had her for 4 days and have had to bathe her 3 times. I'm not sure I can handle having to bathe her everyday. Please help. We do take her out often and always before putting her in her crate, sometimes this happens within a 20 min time span.

[ballengerb1]

When and how often do you feed her? A pup will frequenting defecate in less than an hour after eating. Can you walk her for at least a mile about 30 minutes after eating? How long is she crated during the day.

[barbaradoodle]

Thanks for the reply. This happens when she is crated for a short amount of time, putting the kids to bed or taking a shower. She just did it again for the 2nd time today. Once when I gave the kids a bath, and again when I put them to bed. We feed her 3 small meals a day and do take her out about 15 minutes after and if she doesn't go then we try again about 10-15 minutes later. She is so good all day, only in the crate.

[Lucky098]

I'm going to say she has separation anxiety because she does it when you place her in the crate and leave her.

Separation anxiety is a really tough disease to battle. There is no cure, it is only managed. The best way to manage it is by obedience. And due to her being so young, now would be the best time to get a handle on it. Don't wait another day. When searching for dog trainers, I don't recommend petsmart or petco. It's a hipshoot if you get someone who is good with behavior problems. Find a good trainer with experience in separation anxiety.

One thing I would change is the feeding three times a day. Feed her twice, morning and evening. Breeders feed multiple times a day to ensure that all puppies are getting fed. Coming into a home, its not necessary.

Also, what are you feeding? What you are feeding makes a huge difference. If you are feeding a puppy three times a day a bad puppy food, she has no choice but to potty in her crate. Although I realize she does it when you leave, house training is more than just teaching your dog to go outside.. you are also training the bladder muscles and bowels to hold it in as well. Puppies don't always go outside and potty right away.. Even if you see her poo outside, that doesn't mean she is empty.
Puppy foods I recommend:
Pro plan puppy
Chicken soup for the dog lover's soul:Puppy
Natural Balance (this is an all stages diet & is controversial on whether its suitable for puppies)
Iams puppy (not my first choice, but adequate)

How big is the crate? If it is big enough for an adult, then its too big. Separation anxiety or not, puppies shouldn't potty where they sleep.. especially such a young puppy that came right from mom. Where is the crate located? I'm not a fan of puppies being put in crates away from the family. Living rooms, wash/bathrooms, and basements will drive any dog nuts and bad behaviors will show up almost instantly. I realize your problem, but the puppy should sleep in your room, in a crate (if you want). It makes them feel more secure and more involved in their new found pack. Dogs are pack animals.. they NEED other around them all the time. And if your dog is already displaying undesierable behaviors, banishing them further from you and your family, the worse they are going to get.

As I said, this is something you're going to have to work through. I think obedience is the best way to work through the problems. If you're not up to it, then speak with the breeder to return the puppy. Its not going to be easy, and its not going to happen over night.. It takes time and dedication and a lot of love (both tough and gentle).

[ballengerb1]

Great advice Lucky