Sassy is a beautiful lab mix that we added to our family a month ago. She was in the shelter for 3 months and at now 10 months old is having some training issues with her crate. At first, she would just urinate while laying down... anywhere. That thankfully has stopped. She does, however, eliminate at times in her crate. Knowing that by instinct dogs do not eliminate in their "dens", I would appreciate any input on how we can help her reverse this behavior that was ingrained not by her choice but her circumstances.
Matthew Grubb Webboard User Reg: 09-27-2002
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Loc: Pittsburgh, Pa.
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Hang in there... you have made big steps already, and it's just going to take time and consistency on your part. You may want to "step up" your outside time if possible so that the dog isn't inside the crate long enough to make a mess.
Thanks Matthew for the encouragement. She is only crated at night or when I have to be away (which fortunately has been rare since she arrived). We spend about 3 hours a day outside. She's learning everything so quickly, you're right, time and consistency.
Connie Sutherland Moderator Reg: 07-13-2005
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Loc: North-Central coast of California
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Quote: matthew grubb
Hang in there... you have made big steps already, and it's just going to take time and consistency on your part. You may want to "step up" your outside time if possible so that the dog isn't inside the crate long enough to make a mess.
Ditto!
You don't want that crate-poop habit to start. I'd probably not only "up" the number of trips outside and throw a party for every "good potty," but I'd also keep a little log for a while of the poop times so that you are taking the dog outside even more at the important times. I'd also establish a reliable outside-trip schedule so that the dog can start relying on relief at certain times and understanding that she has only x length of time to hang in there. (Why hold it in if there's no perception of relief soon coming?)
I'd probably tether the dog to me for a while, too. Set her up for success by learning her signals and by not allowing bad habits to happen -- by showing that good potty is a great thing that results in great happiness all around and also making indoor potty unnecessary.
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Crate training challenge
#208494 - 09/04/2008 06:46 PM 
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