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April 19, 2011

Our friend has a humane society dog that pees on the rug. They won't keep it in the crate because it cries. What can we do?

Full Question:

I have taken your advice several times with great results and have your puppy training video as well. This letter is on behalf of a friend who has had a lab-type 2 year old that she got from the humane society about a year ago. This is a great dog with a cheerful personality but apparently she often urinates on the living room rug. Last night my friend called to say that after a long walk in the park, the dog walked in the door and hit the rug once again. My friend is about to get rid of the dog. I suggested that I check with you. Sadly, the dog is not crate trained and "freaks out" when in a crate. Is the urination a dominance thing? Is it too late to crate train the dog? We would be grateful for any advice.

Thanks much,
Katrina

Ed's Answer:

Two issues.

I cannot help someone who will not accept sound advice. No dog cannot be crate trained. Put the crate in the garage or outside. Make the dog live in the crate 24/7 until it stops screaming. It may take several days but it will learn that it does not work to scream. No dog I own would ever live outside a dog crate if it peed on the floor like this. If these friends will not do this then let them give the dog away and they should not own a dog.