I have a question I'm sure I already know the answere to but I'm hoping for some input.I have a 9mos. old GSD who is kept in his crate while we're at work.He is fed a bowl in his crate when I leave at about 8:30 a.m. By 11:30 my other half comes home for lunch at lets him outside to do his business.Then she goes back to work until about 5:00pm.(I don't get home til around 7)Recently the pup started going to the bathroom in his crate--what a mess she is coming home to.Until recently(2wks) he was able to hold it. I changed food brands,but I did it gradually and replaced his old food with another quality brand that is more readily available in stores and when he goes it's pretty solid so I don't think it's the change of diet, but what could it be? As he grew I would adjust the wall in his crate to fit him so I don't think the crate is too big ,but I'm out of ideas.I don't like the idea of not feeding him in the a.m because that only leaves him to feed after we get home from work and I want to make sure he eats enough.Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

You could try getting up an hour earlier, walking him immediately, then feeding him in the crate & walking him again before leaving him for the extended crate-time when you're at work -- That's what I do & my dogs have been crate-clean since puppyhood, so it may work for you too <:-)

Hi Michael,

I have a suggestion for you. Let the dog out first thing in the morning, feed it, then take it out again about a half hour after eating. I usually only give my dog water when she first get's up and while she's eating. Once she is finished eating I take her water away, my dog usually doesn't drink much water in the morning anyway because I give her a cup of water mixed with her food.

Is the dogging peeing in the crate? Or is it defecating in the crate. If it is defecating I would suggest the food change is causing this new problem. JMHO

Kim

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You could try getting up an hour earlier, walking him immediately, then feeding him in the crate & walking him again before leaving him for the extended crate-time when you're at work -- That's what I do & my dogs have been crate-clean since puppyhood, so it may work for you too <:-)

Also, which time is she coming home to the mess? At 11:30 or at 5:00?

If it's in the afternoon, from the 8:30 feeding, could you switch the feeding to 11:30a instead of 8:30 a? Then you'd both be home by the time the "mess" happens. The new food might've changed the length of time it takes going through.

I don't see any problem with an 11:30 and an evening feeding for now instead of 8:30 and evening.

Would that work?

Thanks to all for the help.After discussing it last night we've decided to try feeding at 11:30 instead of first thing in the morning.I'm hoping that will do it. I never thought it might be the food (as far as how long it takes him to digest it)Maybe changing food was the cause.Either way thanks again and I'll toss in a post later to let everyone know if that worked.-by the way he was deficating his crate between 11:30 and 5:00

just an update--1st day of new feeding schedule and all is well (fingers crossed that I nipped this one in the bud)thanks again for the advice. <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

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just an update--1st day of new feeding schedule and all is well (fingers crossed that I nipped this one in the bud)thanks again for the advice. <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Good job, Michael! :>