My almost 6 month old GSD has begun pooping in his crate on occasion. He did not start doing so until the past couple of weeks. Up to that point there were no accidents; save one instance where he was obviously experiencing diarrhea. The only change is that he is in a larger crate, but I have blocked off a portion so that he is kept in a smaller space. He's also not being left to his crate for inappropriate amounts of time. Anyone have any answers as to why this is occurring all of a sudden? Anything I can do to curb this problem? Please let me know of any suggestions. Thanks!

Sounds like he may need a "refresher" course in housetraining. I'd basically go back to what you were doing when you were first training him to go potty outside. After waking, after eating, drinking, and playing and making sure he stays out long enough to potty. Sometimes you may have to wait a while, throw a ball around and get him moving which gets the intestines working to eliminate.

Make sure you get something like Nature's Miracle to wipe the crate down with, to get rid of the smell that may keep attracting him to do it again.

Barring any medical condition, he should be fine in no time.

Justin,
My first thought was; what do you consider a not inappropriate time in the crate? How much exercise is the pup getting? What kind of interaction do you and the dog have on a daily basis? Has the pup been nuetered, and how long ago?
I'm sure there'll be more questions from others and perhaps from this quarter as well. Something is amiss, we just have to figure out what it is.

If my dog isn't learning, I'm doing something wrong.
Randy

How often are you feeding this dog? What are you feeding him? What does your schedule for him look like?

Years ago i had a similar problem. It was really my problem not the dog's. He needed to go at 4pm because of when I fed him. Problem was I got home from work at 4:45pm. A minor adjustment to when he was fed fixed the issue.

You said that you blocked off a section of the crate, but if he has enough room to get away from the mess he has too much room. Give him just enough room to turn around. Again just revisit your previous house training.
Good Luck
Terry

Sorry for the delay in response time. Here's my schedule below.

7:00am : Wake up and go for walk. Return from walk and play and workon obedience.
He also is eating between this time and when my wife is the last one to leave for work at 8:45am and he is put in crate.

12:00 or 12:30: Return home at this time. Short walk and play and obedience.

1:00 or 1:30: Leave to return to work. Goes back in crate.

5:15: Wife comes home from work
5:45: I'm home

He eats and we play and do obedience periodically and we go on walk later in the evening.

Bed sometime around 11pm and he makes it all through the night no problems. Sleeps on the floor in bedroom.



Here's what may be the kicker.....up to this point he has been eating at his own will because the breeder asked us to "free feed" him as a puppy. I had planned on waiting til we hit the 6 month mark to do a regimented eating schedule where he had 15 minutes to eat and then it's gone. He's been on Purina Pro Plan for Sensitive Stomachs. I realized this was not the best food and have just run out and am putting him on Honest Kitchen.

Let me know what y'all think.

So Justin, he's dumping in the crate morning or afternoon?
Did you just switch food in the last 24 hours or the last week or two? Is he eliminating at all on the short walk in the early afternoon?

If my dog isn't learning, I'm doing something wrong.
Randy

Randy,

He is actually using the bathroom both afternoon and morning sometimes, but more often in the morning which is strange because he is able to go outside when we wake up, while we are out playing, and before my wife leaves.

The food is actually being switched today.

And to answer your earlier question he has not been neutered. He comes from outstanding pedigree and we will most likely stud him out if his slight overbite corrects itself by 8 or 9 months or so. I understand that the lower jaw can sometimes develop more slowly than the upper and am waiting to see if a correction occurs.

The dog's great and we're madly in love with him and I know we'll find a solution to this problem. I'm sure it's something I'm doing wrong.

Thank you all for your responses.

Justin, have you tried feeding him first thing in the morning, before you take him out to play? Maybe he needs a little more time between eating and eliminating...

I see now that you are free feeding him. I bet when you go to a scheduled feeding you will be able to fix this easier. One thing to keep in mind, feeding THK, it will travel through his system faster than kibble.

Justin,
The first thing I'd try would be to give the pup a little more time in the morning. Even 15 mintues may make the difference. Like after your initial walk, play and OB perhaps another short walk so the pup can do his thing again. Even older dogs like to go twice in the mornings. I would not do any play or lessons with the dog at the noon sessions unless he has relieved himself first on a walk about.
Lynn, I have to say I'd never feed my dog just before I take her out for exercise/play. I think I'd just be setting my dog up for real trouble.

If my dog isn't learning, I'm doing something wrong.
Randy