[RileyGirl01]

We have 2 female chocolate lab puppies - one is 9 mo and fully trained, the other is 3 mo and learning. The 3 mo old is great when out - she doesn't have accidents in the house, she goes outside, but as soon as she is crated - she poops her crate. She will poop outside before we put her in the crate, and still poop her crate. What could this be from? Our 9 mo old is not crated, runs the house and is great!

[labman]

Exactly what goes on in those furry little heads is hard to say. Could you be convinced she is doing it deliberately to protest being crated? If so, it certainly is effective isn't it? Many ''experts'' say no way. It could also be the stress of being left behind in the crate.

I think the first step is to eliminate the bedding. You might try wood shaving instead. If you do, let me know how it works. Racks do well with small puppies and urine, but often stools stay on top.

I see many similar questions. A few dog do it. That is at odds with the conventional wisdom. However, many dogs don't seem to have read the parts about avoiding fouling their sleeping area.

Many dogs eventually outgrow it, but you can reduce it by building the dog's confidence up. Start with obedience training. 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 As you praise the dog for following your commands, it will build its confidence.

Play tug of war with the dog and lose. However at the end of the game, take the rope or toy and put it up, less the dog becomes confused about who is top dog.
Ropes from the pets' store quickly turn to hazardous shreds. Ones I made
Lasted much better. Go to a hardware or home center that sells rope by the
Foot. Buy 2' of 3/4" poly rope. Melt the ends, and tie knots in it. Get
Them as tight as possible, put it in a vise and pound it with a hammer. Watch
Carefully, and be ready to discard when it comes apart.

How long are you leaving her? All day is too long for any dog, let alone a 3 month old. If you can't come home over lunch, could you have a neighbor or a professional dog walker give her a break?

[RileyGirl01]

She's only in the crate for the maximum of 4 hours at a time. My neighbor comes over and takes her out and her kids play with both dogs for at least 45 minutes a day. Then, one of us is usually almost home by 3pm. Our other dog (9mo old) is very submissive, however I know the puppy knows that she's top dog. Could this have a role? Whenever the puppy is out, she adores our oldest dog - kisses her, lays on her - maybe it's the stress of being separated from her?

[labman]

I can't say what is happening. I do feel it is stress. It isn't a problem I have had, and the closest thing in any of my training or reading I have seen is the conventional wisdom that dogs won't foul their den. Well if you do a search here, you will find many question about it. I try to suggest things that will help, but seldom hear back if they work.

I am glad you have the neighbor to help. That's great. My wife and I's schedules vary. One or the other of us has always been able to make it home for lunch, or take the dog to work. My daughter takes her puppy to her job in her city engineering office. The city features her future dog guide on the accessibility page of their web site.