[LindaV]

Originally Posted by KimluvsLexie

I've posted this a couple of times, but we're still having some problems with Tucker. His "crate" right now is a potty pad under a laundry basket because at 6 months he is still using the bathroom in his crate no matter how small I make it. I was wondering if you have any suggestions for a puppy that was kept in a crate most of the time early on in his life? His first owner was very sick and unable to take care of him so he was left in there for long periods of time. The cleanup was unreal and I was fearing for his skin due to daily baths. We need some tips!

I'm sorry Tucker had a rough start This problem occurs more often than you'd think. At 6 months, he's had time to make the negative association with the crate. Being left in there for prolonged periods of time when he was younger gave him no option but to get used to laying in his own waste.

Have you considered starting from scratch, using an ex-pen? Expandable baby fencing works great for this. Start small with a couple of panels, perhaps in a corner. Lightweight plastic painting tarp on the floor, covered with towels or hospital pads will prevent any urine from scenting the carpets or flooring.
Inside the pen, just enough room for his crate on one side, potty pad opposite side, away from the crate.

Introduce the crate as if it were day one. Short, positive experiences, lots of praise. I swear by the small Kong stuffed with peanut butter and frozen. If he'll enter the crate and entertain himself for 15 minutes, yay! Praise him, take him out - and praise, praise, praise!

Once you've reintroduced the crate as a positive place you can try putting him in the x-pen area with the crate. This should be in the same room where you and your family members spend the most time. If you are close by, he won't feel banished, abandoned or alone, but he will be able to establish a "den" area and a "potty" area.

Entice him into the crate with the frozen Kong, small bits of kibble or small treats. If he begins to enter the crate on his own, even if he was "food motivated", praise him! "Good Kennel", or whatever you choose to call his crate, will create the word association.

I'm not sure what your objective is. Is your goal to train him to potty outside, or on potty-pads?
How much time is he spending outside his current "laundry basket" crate?
What is his normal routine with you like each day?

Knowing more about your situation might help in developing some strategies to help you move him forward. I know this is tough and frustrating for you!
I'm happy to help in any way I can