i had a 24" plastic crate that i got for free from someone that i used for lexie when we first got her 4 weeks ago (she's now 10 wks. old). well, i was thinking i might be able to use it longer than i did, but no, her head was hitting pretty bad...she was just too big for it about a week and a half ago. so, because my husband and i don't have much money, i knew i couldn't go out and buy another crate and then another crate, etc., as she grows, so i just bought a big plastic crate and thought i would rig up some type of divider to use until she gets bigger. herein lies the problem...i tried to put an 18 gallon rubbermaid container in there upside down, and it blocks all basically 1/2 the space perfectly, which worked for 1 night, and then lexie figured out how to move it and go to the bathroom around it. i have brainstormed to death, and i just can't figure out what else i might be to do for a divider. i know they sell dividers for wire crates, but what do people do for plastic ones? i just woke up to her about an hour ago with the container moved completely to the front of the crate, her in the back, and she had pooed 3 times...i listen for her and as soon as i hear a sound, i get up and take her out in the night. but, she hadn't even whined or barked until then with all of that mess in there?! so, i guess i will have to just set my alarm and take her out at certain times anyway, regardless of whether or not she whines, etc. truthfully, this is all starting to wear on me...the pooping in the crate thing. i have no one to talk to when i feel upset over anything about the puppy...my husband didn't want a dog at all, so when i try to talk to him, all he says is 'i told you so.' same thing with my parents. i am very careful to not show that i'm upset when there is a problem with lexie like this because i know she can sense my moods and get upset herself, etc. but, i'm really starting to get overwhelmed. i know none of this made sense or really flowed together well...sorry. i'm just typing at this point. anyway, i really need to come up with a different divider. do any of you have any ideas? i appreciate your help.

Diane, you could poke holes in the sides of the rubbermaid container and then tie-wrap it to the crate (I'm assuming it has vents that you could fit a tie-wrap around?) so that she can't move it.
What is your schedule for feeding? Does she poop after her evening meal? Maybe you could try moving the last meal a little earlier, and make sure she gets outside right before you go to bed for a last chance to go. The other thing I did with my pup was to feed her a slightly larger portion at one of her meals and reduce one of her meals a little bit to compensate for times that she would be in the crate for a longer stretch. Maybe you could reduce her evening meal and increase her morning meal to compensate. (I'm assuming she's mostly soiling her crate at night...is this correct?)
Also, when she goes outside are you 'throwing a party'? (treats, praise, etc..) You need to make it really clear to her that outside potty is a good thing.
Keep your chin up! It will get better!

we took the kids to a big sledding hill at a park yesterday, and we took lexie with us...we were there for about 1 1/2 hrs. she was on the 20 ft. cotton lead and i know that she chewed on wood and stuff...twigs and leaves she found in the snow, etc. could this have made her poopy? she just went in her crate again, and i took her outside and she went again. this is insane. could it be something like that, maybe? she's usually very normal, and this just started this last night...i'm going CRAZY! anyway, i'll wait now to hear from anyone who might have an idea about a divider...blessings on your day!

thanks, lynne...good idea! and yes, she's soiling the crate usually at night. i'll try the meal idea...that makes sense...i've definitely appreciated all your help these past few weeks!

I am by far a expert, I use and love this board and site all the time. I have a 12 week old dobe, I recently purchased a large crate that will fit him when is grown. i decided to use a piece of 1/2 inch ply wood cut to form inside the crate and then secured it with drywall screws. )some could disagree about the wood so I what I did was sand it and applies a piece of linolem left over from my kitchen floor) Ii works great as far as a divider is concerned, no not going pee is a different matter we are working on

Diana,

Can you weight down the rubbermaid container with something so Lexi can't push it around? Anything bulky and heavy (old books, magazines, a paint can {well wrapped so it can't be chewed on} ) that you could put UNDER it might sort of anchor it from sliding around. You could also tuck old towels or something behind and around the edges of the container so the pup didn't think there was anything behind it to get to...

I'm sorry you're having trouble with your pup, but more sorry you aren't getting any support at home from family or friends - that can really make a frustrating situation even worse. If it helps at all, I think you're doing fine and you just need to stick with it! Little puppies are like little babies - pee and poop machines!! Unless it looks like she has diarrhea, she just needs to develop the muscle control to go less frequently, and she is still only 10 weeks old! Until then, she'll need to go however often she needs to go.

What is your day routine like? Is she in the crate most of the day as well? I understand night time is harder for her, but as Lynn mentioned, if you're taking her out regularly during the day, and praising her like mad every time she goes outside, then she should start to put things together and at least ASK to go out in the middle of the night. The more difficult you make it for her to go in the crate (shoring up that divider) the less comfortable she'll be doing it. Setting an alarm for a few times a night is not a bad idea either - and just remember, the easier you make it for HER to learn right now (even if it's harder for YOU to go out at 2am), the shorter the housebreaking phase will become overall.

Stick with it Diana! Lexi is adorable, and she WILL learn to go outside with patience and time... you're on the right track!

Cheers,
~Natalya