I have a 12 week old Bouvier puppy and I'm having a heck of a time house breaking him.
I'm trying to crate train him, I take him outside every hour and he does nothing outside so I bring him back in and put him in his crate (because he didnt go) with the intension of taking him back out in 15 minutes. Well 30 seconds after I put him in his crate he goes to the bathroom. I have a divider in the crate so he olny has enough room to turn around and lay down. After he goes he will lay in it !!! I thought it was instinct not to do that. I think that he thinks that is where he is to go. I'm getting so frustrated. The few times he did go outside I praised the heck out of him. Do you think it could have something to do with the breeder keeping him in a 5x5 box that he ate,slept and went to the bathroom in? What should I do? Whats my next step? I know that nothing will happen over night but I think this dog really has no idea whats to do.
Thanks

If the breeder didn't keep that box clean, then it could be a BIG problem. If a pup is forced to live in their feces in a confined space, then they could very well just get used to it. Also, since he goes in the crate, are you making sure it is completely cleaned and sanitized before you put him back in it. You'll need to use an enzyme solution to completely irradicate the scent of urine or feces so the dog can't smell it. At 12 weeks, the dog should also be able to hold it longer than an hour, I would try to increase the intervals that you take him out, that way when you do take him out, he's sure to go. Be patient with him outside. You may have to stand there for 15-30 minutes before he does anything, but wait until he does! Also, keep outside play to a minimum until he figures out that he's only there for one thing, and that's potty.

Stay out with him longer. He has learned the proper place to go is in the crate. Another thing that may help is to play with him while he is out side. In many cases play will stimulate them to go. Usually you don't want to mix play and potty time, but with this pup there may be some benifit. Once he gets the idea reverse play and potty so that play is after potty.

You hit the nail on the head. The pup was used to lying in his own mess. This is why this is happening now. This is a real pain in the neck.

You need to make sure that the crate is kept immaculately clean at all times. When the pup messes in the crate you have to clean it with a nutralizer like Nature's Miracle or something like that. Do not use amonia. Amonia will make the dog want to go in the same spot again. You also must keep the pup as clean as possible.(Don't go too crazy with baths though as you will dry out his skin) The idea is to make the pup get used to living in a clean environment.

You should try to catch him in the act of messing his crate. If and only if you catch him in the act, verbally reprimand him with a firm NO! Don't yell or freak out. Be firm though. Immediately take him outside. You should use food as a reward when he goes outside. My latest pup would go immediately then run over and sit in front of me expecting a treat. After a while, you phase out the treats and just use praise. You do this gradually by treating every time, then every other time, then every third time and so on and so on.

When a pup is used to laying in his own mess, it can be a real pain in the neck to housebreak. Just be consistant and VERY PATIENT. In time, it will work out. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

when you take him outside, stay out until he goes. If it takes an hour, stay out. When he goes, then you can bring him in and play a little as a reward.

What do you use on the bottom of the crate?? (i.e. newspaper, blanket, metal pan, plastic, etc) What did the breeder use in the box the pups were in? If the breeder used newspaper in the pups area they will become conditioned to go to the bathroom on the same surface......

My pups are raised in wood shavings and when their little paws touch wood shavings they immediately go.......

I had to try to housetrain a pup for a client, it had been raised by the breeder in a crate on papers. The only thing that worked was to make a raised grate type of thing for the pup to lay on in the crate. Kind of like the bottom of a rabbit cage. He had to be taught to like being clean because he had learned to 'be dirty'. This problem can be very tough to work out, just keep trying different surfaces in the crate and get used to giving lots of baths...Good luck.

I have a wire crate, at first I tried a blanket then I tried newspaper he went on both it didn't seem to make a difference now it's just the plastic tray that comes with the crate. The breeder had newspaper in the
box that she kept him in. I'm getting a little concerned because I have to give him a bath everyday because of the poop and urine smell. I don't want to dry his skin out.
I wish I knew this before, I might have hesitated getting him at 11 weeks old (he was a left over) and insisted on getting one from the next litter at 8 weeks old. Do you think that this would have made a difference?
Thanks for all of the sound advice!!!!
Julie

It could of made some difference but if the pups are used to living in filth then you will have the same problem anyway. I think you need to really concentrate on positive reinforcement here. The pup thinks its ok to relieve himself in the crate and to lay in his filth. You have to make him think that the greatest thing in the world has happened when he does his business outside. This whole situation will be a test of your patience. Don't let yourself get discouraged. I know that in my last post I mentioned the dry skin factor. Don't be too worried about it. You have to keep him as clean as possible. Just make sure you use a gentle puppy shampoo. The cleaner the environment the better. I know this all sounds simplistic but it is the only way. Clean environment and a very clear message. Firm verbal correction(caught in the act) for messing the crate, tons of praise and reward for outside elimination. Others have made good suggestions about how often and what to do when outside.

One added suggestion that I don't think was posted is to regulate water and food intake during the housebreaking period. Getting the pups digestive activities on a schedule will help to prevent the crate problem. Also bringing the soiled papers and bedding outside will make the pup more comfortable about restaking it's existing territory. Patience, persistance and praise. I've got a twelve week old here now and this pup has been TOO EASY! Just like my first kid. Everything went so smooth that we had two more. The last two are shaving decades off my lifespan. Yuk! Yuk! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Well it's only been a couple of days and I think that he is getting the message that going outside gets him a treat. Now, will he just naturally progress to letting me know that he has to go out? I hope that this will come with time. Right now I just watch him and follow him everywhere he goes in the house I know when he starts walking real fast with his nose to the ground he's gotta go. Should I take his paw and scratch the door before I take him out? or will he start to let me know his own way?
You guys have been giving me great advise so far.
Thanks
Julie