Peeing in crate constantly...help - YorkieTalk.com Forums

Lola920 · 12-09-2013, 08:55 PM

I would appreciate any advice on how to get my 12 week old puppy to stop peeing in her crate. We have had Lola for 3 weeks now and have tried without success training her to go on the wee wee pads until she is old enough to be walked outside. Before u ask, yes her crate is just big enough for her to walk in, turn around and that's it. She loves her crate so it's not a matter of anxiety. We put her in when she is settled and ready to sleep. During the night she manages to keep it dry, yet during the day after she's has plenty of time to relieve herself she goes in and after 2 minutes, pees! I cannot keep bathing her but at the same time baby wipes just don't cut it. I'm at my wits end...HELP PLEASE

Nozikins · 12-10-2013, 08:46 AM

Your puppy will keep peeing in her crate if the smell of pee is there. You have to thoroughly clean it, make sure the smell is gone. That's the easy part, the hard part is training, ...

After cleaning the crate, your puppy will most likely still go there to pee, so watch your puppy carefully and when your puppy does pee, you have to firmly use a sound that will warn them, a simple NO! or pssst sound (like Cesar Milan the dog whisperer uses) should do.

grab your puppy to stop him from peeing and then bring them to where they should pee and let them continue. When they pee in the right place, praise them and pet them or give them a treat, - you may need to do this several times. Its not easy.

NOTE: Yorkies are small breeds so they have small bladders, they will go pee pee alot. Specially if you allow them to drink anytime they want. Imagine how many time you have to pee a day. Now what if your bladder was as small as a Yorkies, you'd have to go more too.

Lola920 · 12-10-2013, 08:26 PM

Thank you for the reply....Anytime she pees anywhere, not only do I drag the plate outside, hose it down with soap and water, I then use the Natures Miracle to neutralize the odor. When I catch her in the act, I firmly tell her no and of course redirect her to the pad. In the morning I immediately bring her over to the pad, she does her business, and I praise beyond belief, and give her a treat. She knows she's doing good because as soon as she goes on the pad, she runs over to where I keep her treats, although I always have one within reach. I understand that they are small and therefore have small bladders, and fortunately I am home and have the time to train her. She only drinks with breakfast, lunch and dinner, unless she's had a lengthy playtime in which case I offer. Please don't misunderstand, I know this takes time and a lot of PATIENCE, and don't expect it to happen overnight, however I would think from what I've read, family and friends have told me that after 3 weeks, she would pick up on it. There have been times I walk her to the pad, stand there for an hour, nothing, then no sooner do I turn my back from crating her, she pees. I dunno...

Maximo · 12-11-2013, 10:41 AM

You are doing everything correctly. There is a very good chance that she is picking up on your anxiety and frustration, and that may cause her to be anxious about going into the crate -- causing her to pee.

Or she is nervous/shy/too focused on you when you have her on the pad, expecting her to pee. Some Yorkies are successfully trained to go on command, but my guys won't do it. I try to make them use their pad before we go for a car ride (when I know we can't get out right away for a break). They are too preoccupied with me to use the pad when I hover.

Instead of making pad time all about the pad, try playing with her near the pad. The excitement of playing will often make a pup need to pee. If she goes to the pad and does it right, give the praise and reward like she just performed the best trick ever.

Hang in there, and good luck!

Sunnydayz · 12-11-2013, 03:03 PM

Does she have a crate large enough to put a peepad inside it? I use an xpen for Gizmo as he from day one hated the crate. Maybe get something a little larger for her to sleep in that also has room for a potty pad as well as her bed. Some dogs just need more room to learn, and if she has a pad inside with her, since she already knows how to go on the one outside her crate, this could make her more consistent because she already knows what the pad is for.

Lola920 · 12-11-2013, 05:03 PM

Thank you, thank you for the replies. I'm actually a little surprised that more people haven't commented. Anyway, I'm glad you did...ok first, Maximo...you are definitely right about her not going while I'm hovering, so what I have been doing the past 2 days is leash her, place her on the pad, and put the other end of the leash under this little storage chest I have so she only has enough room to wander the pad. This seemed to work because when I walk away, she barks to let me know she's done. But again this morning, 6am I let her out, placed her on the pad, rewarded and unleashed after she relieved herself, let her stretch her legs for a bit and crated her when it was time to wake the kids and get them off to school. Maybe 10 minutes later my daughter tells me "Lola pooped in her crate" Needless to say she was covered in it. I'm not going to sit here and say I don't get mad, I'm human of course it frustrates me, however I can't reprimand her unless I catch her in the act. Perfect example for u right now...she ate about an hour ago, she's on the pad just sitting there. I've tried keeping her on the leash and walking away, as well as sitting there with her unleashed redirecting her every two seconds. I know she has to go and as soon as I unleash her and put her back in the crate she will. I'm at a loss, lol. I didn't forget you Sunnydayz, we tried the crate without the divider and when I told the vet and my niece who's a trainer, they said to make it smaller. It's comfy, she has her fluffy little mat, couple of chew toys, bones, etc. She goes in fine, curls up and sleeps, like I said, I'm at a loss.

Sunnydayz · 12-11-2013, 05:44 PM

Sometimes if you reprimand them for negative behaviors they will try to hide and do that behavior where you can't see it, aka in her crate? It's hard not to reprimand, but it really does work when you only give praise when they do good and ignore when they do bad, because they find they only get attention for the right thing :-) sometimes they are like kids, and will try to hide things they know will upset you. Have you tried this tactic ? Just giving praise and treats for the right behavior, and just ignoring the bad? This is what I did with gizmo as I think he seen any attention, good or bad as attention, and because he's a pup could not distinguish between the two. He soon figured out once I ignored the bad behavior that only the good behavior got him anywhere :-)

Maximo · 12-11-2013, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lola920

Thank you, thank you for the replies. I'm actually a little surprised that more people haven't commented. Anyway, I'm glad you did...ok first, Maximo...you are definitely right about her not going while I'm hovering, so what I have been doing the past 2 days is leash her, place her on the pad, and put the other end of the leash under this little storage chest I have so she only has enough room to wander the pad. This seemed to work because when I walk away, she barks to let me know she's done. But again this morning, 6am I let her out, placed her on the pad, rewarded and unleashed after she relieved herself, let her stretch her legs for a bit and crated her when it was time to wake the kids and get them off to school. Maybe 10 minutes later my daughter tells me "Lola pooped in her crate" Needless to say she was covered in it. I'm not going to sit here and say I don't get mad, I'm human of course it frustrates me, however I can't reprimand her unless I catch her in the act. Perfect example for u right now...she ate about an hour ago, she's on the pad just sitting there. I've tried keeping her on the leash and walking away, as well as sitting there with her unleashed redirecting her every two seconds. I know she has to go and as soon as I unleash her and put her back in the crate she will. I'm at a loss, lol. I didn't forget you Sunnydayz, we tried the crate without the divider and when I told the vet and my niece who's a trainer, they said to make it smaller. It's comfy, she has her fluffy little mat, couple of chew toys, bones, etc. She goes in fine, curls up and sleeps, like I said, I'm at a loss.

No matter what, you have to control those feelings, hide them really well. Dogs can read our feelings very easily.

The more anxiety or frustration you allow her to see or sense, I assure you will work against your efforts to potty train her. It is going to make things harder on both of you.

Max had me in tears several times over a different issue -- safety related things. You have to leave the room, go where you CAN"T be seen or heard, and let it out. Then come back to your puppy and the mess and be happy-go-lucky, "Uh oh! That is a mess. Let's clean it up."

It's fine when you catch her in the act to give a firm no and a hand clap, but don't be angry.

I promise you, a happy, calm, even-keeled approach is the only way to success. I'm not saying this because I coddle my dogs. My boys are strong males, and we have always made potty time a positive thing. Maybe we made a little too fun because they are a little obsessed.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lola920

Thank you for the reply....Anytime she pees anywhere, not only do I drag the plate outside, hose it down with soap and water, I then use the Natures Miracle to neutralize the odor. When I catch her in the act, I firmly tell her no and of course redirect her to the pad. In the morning I immediately bring her over to the pad, she does her business, and I praise beyond belief, and give her a treat. She knows she's doing good because as soon as she goes on the pad, she runs over to where I keep her treats, although I always have one within reach. I understand that they are small and therefore have small bladders, and fortunately I am home and have the time to train her. She only drinks with breakfast, lunch and dinner, unless she's had a lengthy playtime in which case I offer. Please don't misunderstand, I know this takes time and a lot of PATIENCE, and don't expect it to happen overnight, however I would think from what I've read, family and friends have told me that after 3 weeks, she would pick up on it. There have been times I walk her to the pad, stand there for an hour, nothing, then no sooner do I turn my back from crating her, she pees. I dunno...

I would not withhold water, especially for a puppy. Water is essential for all of the vital organs to function, and for basic body processes. Everything from metabolism, to the heart, to the brain (needed for training

).

Puppies are particularly susceptible to dehydration and hypoglycemia, which go hand in hand.

Dogs don't drink for the fun of it. They drink because they need to. Peeing can't be scheduled by when water is available (although some dog trainers believe it can be). I know as humans we may put off drinking a cup coffee before getting into rush hour traffic, but overall, our peeing can't be timed.

Avoid urinary tract infections and hypoglycemia. Make water available 24 hours a day.

Maximo · 12-11-2013, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sunnydayz

Sometimes if you reprimand them for negative behaviors they will try to hide and do that behavior where you can't see it, aka in her crate? It's hard not to reprimand, but it really does work when you only give praise when they do good and ignore when they do bad, because they find they only get attention for the right thing :-) sometimes they are like kids, and will try to hide things they know will upset you. Have you tried this tactic ? Just giving praise and treats for the right behavior, and just ignoring the bad? This is what I did with gizmo as I think he seen any attention, good or bad as attention, and because he's a pup could not distinguish between the two. He soon figured out once I ignored the bad behavior that only the good behavior got him anywhere :-)

12-09-2013, 08:55 PM	#1
Lola920 YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Staten Island Posts: 9	Peeing in crate constantly...help I would appreciate any advice on how to get my 12 week old puppy to stop peeing in her crate. We have had Lola for 3 weeks now and have tried without success training her to go on the wee wee pads until she is old enough to be walked outside. Before u ask, yes her crate is just big enough for her to walk in, turn around and that's it. She loves her crate so it's not a matter of anxiety. We put her in when she is settled and ready to sleep. During the night she manages to keep it dry, yet during the day after she's has plenty of time to relieve herself she goes in and after 2 minutes, pees! I cannot keep bathing her but at the same time baby wipes just don't cut it. I'm at my wits end...HELP PLEASE

12-11-2013, 10:41 AM	#4
Maximo ♥ Maximo and Teddy Donating Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 25,041	You are doing everything correctly. There is a very good chance that she is picking up on your anxiety and frustration, and that may cause her to be anxious about going into the crate -- causing her to pee. Or she is nervous/shy/too focused on you when you have her on the pad, expecting her to pee. Some Yorkies are successfully trained to go on command, but my guys won't do it. I try to make them use their pad before we go for a car ride (when I know we can't get out right away for a break). They are too preoccupied with me to use the pad when I hover. Instead of making pad time all about the pad, try playing with her near the pad. The excitement of playing will often make a pup need to pee. If she goes to the pad and does it right, give the praise and reward like she just performed the best trick ever. Hang in there, and good luck! __________________ Kristin, Max and Teddy

12-10-2013, 08:46 AM	#2
Nozikins YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Angeles City, Pampanga, Philippines Posts: 9	Your puppy will keep peeing in her crate if the smell of pee is there. You have to thoroughly clean it, make sure the smell is gone. That's the easy part, the hard part is training, ... After cleaning the crate, your puppy will most likely still go there to pee, so watch your puppy carefully and when your puppy does pee, you have to firmly use a sound that will warn them, a simple NO! or pssst sound (like Cesar Milan the dog whisperer uses) should do. grab your puppy to stop him from peeing and then bring them to where they should pee and let them continue. When they pee in the right place, praise them and pet them or give them a treat, - you may need to do this several times. Its not easy. NOTE: Yorkies are small breeds so they have small bladders, they will go pee pee alot. Specially if you allow them to drink anytime they want. Imagine how many time you have to pee a day. Now what if your bladder was as small as a Yorkies, you'd have to go more too.

12-10-2013, 08:26 PM	#3
Lola920 YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Staten Island Posts: 9	Thank you for the reply....Anytime she pees anywhere, not only do I drag the plate outside, hose it down with soap and water, I then use the Natures Miracle to neutralize the odor. When I catch her in the act, I firmly tell her no and of course redirect her to the pad. In the morning I immediately bring her over to the pad, she does her business, and I praise beyond belief, and give her a treat. She knows she's doing good because as soon as she goes on the pad, she runs over to where I keep her treats, although I always have one within reach. I understand that they are small and therefore have small bladders, and fortunately I am home and have the time to train her. She only drinks with breakfast, lunch and dinner, unless she's had a lengthy playtime in which case I offer. Please don't misunderstand, I know this takes time and a lot of PATIENCE, and don't expect it to happen overnight, however I would think from what I've read, family and friends have told me that after 3 weeks, she would pick up on it. There have been times I walk her to the pad, stand there for an hour, nothing, then no sooner do I turn my back from crating her, she pees. I dunno...

12-11-2013, 03:03 PM	#5
Sunnydayz YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Redondo beach Posts: 675	Does she have a crate large enough to put a peepad inside it? I use an xpen for Gizmo as he from day one hated the crate. Maybe get something a little larger for her to sleep in that also has room for a potty pad as well as her bed. Some dogs just need more room to learn, and if she has a pad inside with her, since she already knows how to go on the one outside her crate, this could make her more consistent because she already knows what the pad is for.

12-11-2013, 05:03 PM	#6
Lola920 YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Staten Island Posts: 9	Thank you, thank you for the replies. I'm actually a little surprised that more people haven't commented. Anyway, I'm glad you did...ok first, Maximo...you are definitely right about her not going while I'm hovering, so what I have been doing the past 2 days is leash her, place her on the pad, and put the other end of the leash under this little storage chest I have so she only has enough room to wander the pad. This seemed to work because when I walk away, she barks to let me know she's done. But again this morning, 6am I let her out, placed her on the pad, rewarded and unleashed after she relieved herself, let her stretch her legs for a bit and crated her when it was time to wake the kids and get them off to school. Maybe 10 minutes later my daughter tells me "Lola pooped in her crate" Needless to say she was covered in it. I'm not going to sit here and say I don't get mad, I'm human of course it frustrates me, however I can't reprimand her unless I catch her in the act. Perfect example for u right now...she ate about an hour ago, she's on the pad just sitting there. I've tried keeping her on the leash and walking away, as well as sitting there with her unleashed redirecting her every two seconds. I know she has to go and as soon as I unleash her and put her back in the crate she will. I'm at a loss, lol. I didn't forget you Sunnydayz, we tried the crate without the divider and when I told the vet and my niece who's a trainer, they said to make it smaller. It's comfy, she has her fluffy little mat, couple of chew toys, bones, etc. She goes in fine, curls up and sleeps, like I said, I'm at a loss.

12-11-2013, 05:44 PM	#7
Sunnydayz YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Redondo beach Posts: 675	Sometimes if you reprimand them for negative behaviors they will try to hide and do that behavior where you can't see it, aka in her crate? It's hard not to reprimand, but it really does work when you only give praise when they do good and ignore when they do bad, because they find they only get attention for the right thing :-) sometimes they are like kids, and will try to hide things they know will upset you. Have you tried this tactic ? Just giving praise and treats for the right behavior, and just ignoring the bad? This is what I did with gizmo as I think he seen any attention, good or bad as attention, and because he's a pup could not distinguish between the two. He soon figured out once I ignored the bad behavior that only the good behavior got him anywhere :-)