We feed our pup by hand after it poops outside. The problem is the pup poops in the dog crate at night. Is it a mistake to only feed the dog what it eats as a reward for pooping?

Ed,

I have been enjoying your articles on puppy training! Your sense of humor has helped me find mine about our new puppy. We have a 12 week old Goldendoodle, cross between a Golden Retriever and a Poodle. We have had her about 10 days. After the first few days of whining she is doing great in her crate at night, and during the day when we are gone or for some quiet time when we are here. The problem is that she is pooping in her crate every night. I tried making it smaller by putting boxes at the back and so she pooped and then laid in it! Any suggestions? She is on science diet puppy food. She eats most of her food out of my hand as her potty treat after going outside. I know this probably isn't the best plan, but she would not eat when she first came and would not take a treat for going outside. She would, however, take some food from me as her reward. Would a more solid eating schedule help with the overnight pooping? What do you suggest for an outside reward? Is praise enough? Feel free to be "blunt" I could use some good solid advice right now!

God Bless,
Vicki