[RebekahNThomas]

My nine week old puppy is pooping and peeing in her crate, which is supposed to be something dogs don't do! What can I do about it?

[tickle]

She is still only a baby and needs help learning the proper things to do, rebekah. Human babies have the advantage of diapers, then they learn potty training. You will have to start taking that lovely little creature outside on a regular basis so she can learn the proper way and eventually she will do everything regularly as long as you are consistent too! So give her a break, start house training her. And don't leave her in her crate for long periods she needs you desparately in the early weeks.

[labman]

First read through the sticky at https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/dogs/i...tml#post251809

While many ''experts'' say it won't happen, and I have never had the problem, I see many questions about it. I think much of the problem comes from the puppy mills and clueless backyard breders that force the puppies to live in their own filth. You can't ecpect to correct the problem if you are leaving the puppy in the crate over 4-5 hours. If you must leave it longer, try to find a neighbor or professional dog walker to give it a break.

Try leaving it a Kong filled with peanut butter to occupy it. Freezing it will make it last longer.

[keligrn]

I have also heard that if the crate is too large it looses its value as a potty training tool. You want it big enough for them to stand up, turn around, and lay down comfortably but not so large they can mentally cord off part of the crate as the potty area!