Rogue is now 7 months old and I'm still battling her pottying in the crate. I keep her cleaned up and get her out as often as a younger puppy but she still would rather just go in her crate than hold it for 30 seconds while I get my shoes on and grab the leash. I was thinking about trying a dog diaper to make peeing in the crate less comfortable. Has anybody tried something like that before?

I was also thinking about building a large crate with a dog litter box in it to establish a pattern of always going somewhere else to potty and then slowly restricting access to the litter box through a doggy door flap or sliding panel until she has to ask to use it. At that point it could just be moved outside and then eliminated. I'm thinking it might break things down into smaller steps for her.

This is the toughest to housetrain dog I've ever had. Any suggestions are welcome. I've seen some progress the last few weeks while I've been off work. She now barks when she's pottied rather than me looking up and she's laying in her own poop. I also started keeping a log of when she goes which has led to me getting up at 0345 every morning to let her out. This has significantly cut down on the mornings that I wake up to a dirty crate but I'd like her to learn to hold it a little.

I don't think that diapers are going to work, think you'll likely end up with a shredded mess, possibly peed on to boot. EG belly bands don't stop dogs from marking, some dogs are just not so adverse to the smell of their own excrement, sadly.

Nothing in the crate, no towel or rug. No water after 5 pm. HUGE rewards for outdoor pee. Bet you are doing all that.

Maybe put the crate right next to your front door, leave the leash on her in the crate, let her out and step on the lead as she exits the building. Less drama, just go out.

Perhaps it's some sort of submissive pee, she being worried that you'll be cranky when you see her, which you undoubtebly are if you are rushing to get to work and you have to mop out a crate.

Ditto with Betty on the diaper thing.

Also, how big is the crate? Is it small enough whee she can't really go to one corner, pee and then avoid it?

Sounds like maybe not.

Key!

:quote:
"I've seen some progress in the past few weeks while I've been off work".


This tells me that it's not an insurmountable problem and your probably doing better then you think when you have more time to work on it.

Betty also commented on it possibly being submissive peeing.

Not uncommon. No matter how much you try and hid it when your upset I guarantee she can read you like a book.

As a matter of precaution, have her checked for a UTI.

As a matter of precaution, have her checked for a UTI.

I was yelling NO when I caught her in the act of peeing but after your guys posts I stopped. It really wasn't doing anything anyway.

Rogue has been making consistent progress while I've had so much time to work with her.

She actually held it long enough for me to get her out this morning even though I slept in a bit. She is also getting into a routine of going potty first thing when we go outside which I hope shows that she's finally getting that outside is the place to potty. We had a minor set back yesterday when she had some loose stool due to her food being increased. Can't blame her for that one though. Tonight she went right out and peed and pooped right away. First time I've gotten her to do both without standing around for a long period so I think she's finally holding it.

She's also going on potty trips with Maverick now that we're at my parents place with their yard which I think might be helping. She immediately goes to bug him to play but since he's busy doing his business I think it gives her a second to think about doing her own.

I'm doing online classes right now so I have the time to finally get her house training solid. Once it is I might be re-homing her but re-homing a dog that's not house trained scares me.

Hopefully your giving high praise when she goes outside.

Yep, I'm throwing her a party every time she goes. I was trying to offer treats but she'd rather just get a quick pet and then run off to play.

You are sure correct about re-homing a dog who isn't housetrained, a sure ticket to the shelter.

Rogue went back to soft poop which hasn't helped but today has just overall been a bad day as far as house training goes. I ran some errands and she pooped and ROLLED in it before I came back. She managed to stink up the whole side of the house that my Mom's office is in. She's lucky my parents are so patient with house training from having foster dogs or I'm sure I'd be told that she isn't welcome anymore.