[MSBROWNEYES1]

We recently adopted a retriever mix and this was a little less then a month ago, he was about 7 weeks when we got him. At first for a puppy we were shocked at how good he was. He was going to the bathroom outside, he didn't like a leash so he found himself his spot would go to it and then come right back to our door he didn't go to the potty in his cage AT ALL, and he would occasionally go to the potty in the house.

About a week and a half after we got him, he became VERY sick. He stayed in the animal hospital for about a week- 2 weeks. We really didn't think he was going to make it. He didn't eat at all that whole time in the hospital (they had to give him fluids) he had almost like a pee diarrhea that was bloody, so it's a blessing and a miracle that he survived. He has been through a lot in such a short amount of time, and we are very thankful that he is with us because overall he is a great puppy!

The problem now is that he goes to the bathroom in the cage whenever he is in it, and occasionally in the house. I am home pretty much ALL day, he comes with me if I leave to most places, where I can take him. He is rarely left in the cage during the day, only at night until the morning. He is constantly taken out. His last feeding is around 6 pm, and we let him out at least 4 times before we go to bed which is at around 11:30 pm. My husband takes him out EVERY morning before he goes to work which is between 3 am- 4 am, and he says that when he takes him out he does not go in the cage. I wake up at 7 am every morning and wake up to poop EVERY morning.

So now that he has pooped he needs a bath and I need to clean the cage, and I can't do it right away because I have to get my kids ready for school and then put them on the bus by 8:15. When I go back to clean the cage and give him a bath he eats the poop, its almost like he knows that I am frustrated at him and tries to hide it like a kid. Could it be the cage? He is in a really big cage and someone told me that it might be to big for him, but he is going to be a big dog so I didn't want to have to buy 2 cages.

I am really so clueless in what to due ANY ADVICE you have please let me know, I will try pretty much anything as long as it will not harm him!! Thank you for taking the time in reading this!!

[Ber Rabbit]

You need a cage that's just big enough for him to stand and to turn around in. You have to decide if cleaning up every morning is worth the price of another cage. Maybe you can find a reasonably priced one on Craigslist then sell it when he outgrows it.
Ber