It is harder with you being gone. The more time he is in the crate the less time you have to train him. I agree with an x-pen. When they have enough room to choose the pad but not enough room to wander around they will do it.
When you are home you have to be with him and get him to the potty area in time. It is the only way he will learn. Since he has been crated all day you do not want to crate him while you are home. Try tethering him to you so you can watch his every move. When he starts to act like he has to go get him to the potty and stay with him there until he does it. Try teaching him a word or words to associate with pottying so he knows what is expected of him when he is there. Have a reward ready for when he gets it right.
Potty training does require a lot of time and attention but they will learn. Giving them too much freedom too soon just encourages bad behavior. |