crate smell issues and crate size question
 

I have a 14 week yorkie. My husband and are both away from home for 8-9 hours a day during the week. I have been coming home 2-3 times a week during lunch to let him out. We keep a small plastic crate with bedding inside a large metal crate that is lined with pee pads. We are having issues with the smell. My husband wants to keep him in the little plastic crate because he insists that dogs will not go were they sleep. I think leaving him in the little crate for 8-9 hours is cruel because he is to young to hold it for that long. Does anyone have suggestions on what to do about the smell? Or suggestions on leaving him in a small crate for 8-9 hours?

i would think leaving him in an ex pen would be better for that amount of time. i think thats too long for a crate.

My 11 week old puppies go from 10 at night until 7 in the morning in the crate with no accidents.

what are the night time arrangements. Is he in the crate all night? I personally would hate to crate a dog all night, and then turn around and crate him all day, but I know people do it and they do hold it, and the dog gets used to the routine.

Just make sure he has had plenty of time to eat and eliminate and play before you put him back in the crate.

I would suggest 15 to 20 minutes of vigorus play or a brisk walk before you re crate him.

He sleeps in our bed at night. My husband doesn't like that either, but like you said I hate the idea of leaving him in a crate all night and then putting him right back in it for 8 more hours during the day.

I don't think I'd crate him all day, I'd use an x-pen as someone suggested. What type of pee pads are you using? The washable ones are very absorbent and hold smells in better than the paper ones. I also have one of those automatic deodorizers that dog.com sells and I notice it helps keep the air fresher:)

I do not recommend ever crating a puppy or dog all night and 8 hours a day, which I why I will not sell to people who work all day.
Trying to force a dog or puppy to 'hold it' like this can cause health issues ie overstretched bladder causing incontinenance later on, bladder stones, intestinal issues for fecal elimination. Think about what your doctor will tell you if you don't go all day yourself, ie try locking yourself out of the bathroom all day and see how miserable you will feel.
JMHO

crate smell issues and crate size question
 

I have the plastic play pen from wal-mart. It works great! I put Dunks' bed and food/water on one end and his pee pee pad on the other end. But he lifts his legs to pee sometimes so he ends up peeing on the side of the play pen. The play pen is actually made for kids. You can either use it as a rectangular shape or a hexagon (octagon?) shape.

Hope that helps!:D

Pads don't belong in a crate. If you are "crate" training then he needs to be in a small crate for only as long as he can hold it (a few hours tops). If you are pad training then you need a playpen or ex-pen. Sounds like you are combining the two and that isn't going to help with either.

As far as the smell - he is peeing on the pads - what did you expect? It smells. Make sure you clean everything with Simple Solution or another enzymatic cleaner.

My suggestion is to hire a dog walker or a pet sitter or take him to doggie daycare, although rarely do people take my advice on that. Perhaps a retired neighbor or stay at home mom would take him out for an extra few $ a day. Sorry but it's that or deal with the smell. If you aren't going to take him out enough then please at least give him enough room so he doesn't have to sit in it all day.

I think Yorkies are too high energy to crate all day and all night. It's just not healthy to keep them so inactive for so long. They need their movement. If you had a baby, you wouldn't confine it in a crib all day if it's learning to crawl or walk. That would impair the baby's development and I feel like it's the same with a baby dog, in fact, moreso.

With the pee pads, they do tend to smell, and so my husband and I decided to change it daily. It's an expensive proposition if you have a pen lined with them, so you might want to get a "Small Animal Playpen" which has extra panels available to expand it's size. Then put a pee pad in one end and the crate and food at the other.

My other suggestion would be to take a week or so off from work, and use it to train the puppy to use the pad. That way, you could then use the setup above which allows the puppy more movement. Coming home at intervals during the day and giving the puppy some more exercise while you work would then be optimum given the work situation.

This is why there is Yorkie rescue.

You asked about a crate smell and crate size...

For the size...My Sam's crate is for a 25lb dog (he is around 4). He has an area for his tee tee pad, bed/play, and food and water. This works great because I too, work a full time job. Eventually as he gets older and able to hold it longer, we will remove the tee tee pad but its fine for now. And as far as him holding it, he has never been forced to hold it but you know what he does. When we are out and about in the weekend, he has plenty of chances to go to the bathroom... never does. He waits till he gets home. Couldnt tell ya why but he does and I cant force him to go.

For the smell... I havent had that problem. I use Arm&Hammer Pads from Target. 12.99 for 55. I also keep the Glade Fresh Water liquid plug ins current and on high. I have the automatic sprayer that you can set for different times, Mine is set at 36 minutes. So every 36 minutes a shot of fresh waterfall comes out, smells good. I have also gotten a citrus freshener and put in here before. No smells. I also change out freshener bed clothes every other day and wipe down their crate with lysol wipes. I have 3 dogs in one room.

Now for MY opinion... just because people have full time jobs does not mean they cannot have an animal nor does it mean they are cruel to them for leaving them in a crate all day. My Charlie loves his crate, he is in it right now with the door open. He knows he can lay on the couch or wherever he wants but he likes his crate! Sam, my Yorkie, is 4 months old and he too stays in a crate while I work my full time job and he sleeps in his crate all nite. Now I do get up two - two 1/2 hours early every morning to make sure he has plenty of time to eat, play, and potty before going in there for the day. I make sure we play/run for no less than 15 minutes every morning. Now my Poodle usually does this for me as he and Sam try to kill each other by running thru the house (or backyard) growling at each other acting like wild men or we walk around the block - it just all depends on the weather. Once I am home we are up to at least 11 every nite -- even tho most nites they are ready for bed by 10. He gets plenty of exercise.

Just because my boys are in their crate does not mean they are less loved, a need for Yorkie rescue, or mistreated. You can ask anyone that knows me and they will tell you my babies are my priority.

So anyway thats my opinion....good luck and be patient.

Right On Twalla
 

Twalla, I read your reply. It's great and you are right. There's no reason why people who have full time jobs should not have puppies. I am a stay at home mom and my puppy seems as happy as my friend's who works full time. My Holly loves her crate too. It doesn't matter if it's not bedtime, she takes her toys in there and plays. Or sits there to watch TV. She also sleeps there all night. From 11-5 when my husband takes her out to potty and run around a little while he gets ready for work. Then from 6-8 she goes in there again until I wake up and take her potty and give her her breakfast.

Point is, just cause they are in a crate does not mean they are being mistreated. I agree with you completely. In fact, I've read numerous times that their crate is like their own little private place and they love that. If the Yorkies are healthy and happy, no one should feel like they are better parents than others. Everyone has their own ways to deal with things.

So ZOE123...As for the smell, I worry about it too. I have those Airwick Automatic freshners too. I have one in the family room and one in the bedroom. I also spray some Febreeze once in a while and well I don't even think the smell has the chance to accumulate since I change the pads daily.
I also clean out the crate with a little of the Simple Solution Stain and Odor Remover and the place on the floor where I put his pad.

It seems that you will do okay as soon as you find way to deal with the odor.
Good luck and let us know how you fixed your problem.:thumbup:

Why is a yorkie rescue needed? I have no intention of getting rid of my yorkie. I am trying to get opinions to find out what is best. You really think i should take him to the yourkie rescue b/c I crate him 8 hours 2-3 days a week? Once he is completely potty trained I don't think I will even need to crate him. I also worry that b/c he's a puppy if i leave him out he will get into things like power cords and hurt himself. He gets played with for two hours everyday before i got to work and then played with from 5-11 at night. We did come up with a solution He is NOT crated during the night, I come home 2-3 days a week during lunch, and we switched to a plastic crate which helps with smell. I think his life could be a lot worse.

That sounds like a great routine. I am looking to start crating my puppy, she is 14 weeks. Right now she is in the kitchen with baby gates while I am at work and I have a pet sitter that comes and checks in on her around lunch time. She is free to roam when I get home and sleeps in my bedroom in her bed. I am having problems with her not going on pee pads and I guess that is my fault and I cant expect it to figure out on her own. I think the crating will help with that.
Keep doing what you are doing. Dont let anyone tell you that you are not loving your pup, I think trying to teach him is a good thing. :)

Yesss
 

I agree with Veronica. You do what you can with your puppy. I'm sure he knows you love him and you are right, this is just temporary until he learns to go to the restroom. Besides it's not like it's everyday. There IS NO NEED for a rescue. Just because other people have the time to be there all day and have different ideas about how to deal with tings DOES NOT mean they are right and you are wrong.

I understand that most of the people know what they are talking about because they have Yorkies (or a puppy of any other breed), but puppies are not all the same. So obviously people under different circumstances will have different approaches.

I think you have a good plan girl. Just keep doing what you are doing.

Don't be discouraged.
I work full time and also I work Saturday all day as well.
But I come home for lunch every day including Saturday to spend time with her.
If the weather is good, I take her out for a little walk during lunch time as well.
I don't crate her but she is confined in a small section of the room so she will be safe.
But I may lose my current full time job so my future is up in the air right now.
If I get a job where I can't come home for lunch, then I definitely take her to daycare for sure.
It isn't healthy for her to be alone too long and I won't do it.
People have different opinion but as long as you love your baby and then do what you think is the best for your baby.
Smell, well you just need to change the pad frequently.....

I agree very much with sunyluvsma This is why there is a yorkie rescue. I am a vlounteer and foster mom for a yorkie rescue and this is the main reason why yorkies are surrendered. They just don't get trained if you crate them for more than two hours and this a fact. Yes yorkies like cave/den like areas but they aren't confined to that area they like to be able to go in and out as they please. We have so many yorkies in rescue that are crated for 14 hours a day and we do not agree with that at all just imagine drinking a gallon of water and being told to hold for eight hours could you do it?
My suggestion to you is secure a small area for the puppy enough room to play, potty, and rest. The number one reason dogs are put in rescue is houstraining and hyper active dogs which can be a result of crate training.

I have crate trained mine,for not just the reason of potty training, but also for the chewing. We just recently remodeled my bathroom and had them confined in the kitchen and bathroom area one day. I put newspaper down in a corner for them to potty on (they chew up pee pads). We came home and found pieces of wood everywhere. They chewed up my brand new molding on my shower. Then another day they chewed up my cord for my DSL.... without that cord I couldn't come online to YT..... :(
Anyways my point is, I think at first it is a little easier to crate train them. My husband and I both work 8-5. Either one of us do come home at lunch and let them out and then let them run around for an hour. Then they get put back in there til around 3:30 when my daughter gets home from school. Next year it will be an hour earlier.
I don't think,by me working, that I'm not a good momma to my babies. They get tons of lovins and play time when they are out of their crates.
Also for the last 3 weeks, we have let them stay in the kitchen during the day. Since they are older they doing alot better not chewing and peeing all over god's creation.

I agree, Sweetie, just because you work full time isn't a reason to get rid of your pup. That's ridiculous. Finding a solution for the smell seems to be where you are now. Most of us have had to crate during the training period more than we've wanted. I've been lucky because since I've had Yorkies I've been primarily at home.

Good luck, you'll find you're solution; coming here for advice is the best idea!! Don't get discouraged.

No one is saying that since work full time that your give your yorkie away. What we trying to say is that if you keep your yorkie in a crate for 8 hours he/she will never become fully trained. Our only suggestion is to not keep your yorkie in crate for long periods of time they are to small and energetic to be confined in a crate for so many hours. We are suggesting that you block a small area in your home wear he/she can play and where you can put a potty pads and water and food with enough space. We are not saying that you are bad pet owner just that you should change your decision in keeping you puppy in crate for so many ours it will be better for your and the pup. You don't want your pup to hate being in the crate. And they will learn to dislike the crate if they are confide for so many hours in it. So just take this in there are better ways in training your pup and I promise it will be better for you and for your pup.

I don't mean to sound rude, but those of you that are suggesting that the puppy would be better off in a rescue have mentioned "How would you like it if they locked you up after drinking a gallon of milk". I think that suggests that you are comparing the puppy to an adult human. Even if that were the case, we sleep for six hours, and I don't know about other people but I don't wake up to go to the restroom. I also don't let my 4 year old walk around at night when we are sleeping because he is full of energy so why would I let the puppy walk around at night. Most of the books that I've read suggest that crate training is essential for housebreaking. Holly is allowed to come out of her crate twice during the night to relieve herself plus she sleeps the whole time. She doesn't cry (never did in fact), she doesn't wiggle around in her crate, and as far as our baby camera shows, she only picks up her little head when one of us moves or gets up off the bed.

Zoe123, I think you are doing great. Let me ask you something? When the puppy sleeps with you at night, does she sleep the whole time? Or does she run around with a lot of energy?

Most of us work a full time job...but doesn't mean we should give our furbabies away...that is ridiculous...and in my opinion crate training is best when it comes to housebreaking!

Harvey Is 13 Months Old And Since He Was 8 Weeks Old He Has Slept In His Crate, In The Kitchen, Half Of The Crate Is His Comfy Bed And The Other Half Is A Wee Wee Pad Folded In Half. At First He Did Sometimes Use The Pad - But For About 6 Months He Has Not Used It At All. I Leave It In Just In Case He Needs To Use It.

He Goes To Bed At Around Midnight And I Get Up At 7.30 Am. He Is Taken Out Before And After Bed. He Goes Back In His Crate At 8.15 Until My Husband Gets Up From Working Nights Usually 10.30 Ish. Then He Plays And Sleeps All Day - We Dont Have Pads In House Any More, He Goes Outside, By Himself If Doors Are Opened In Nice Weather Or We Take Him Out Every 2-3 Hours In Colder Weather.

This Works Great For Us.

To eliminate bad smells, just clean out the crate and floor with alcohol. I put alcohol in spray bottles and keep under all my sinks to clean sinks, counters an such with. Works to kill germs and bacteria, which cause bad smells.
I also wouldn't keep the puppy in a crate all day. That could lead to some serious kindey and bladder problems.
I would attach an expen to a wire crate, cover the crate with a blanket to make it den like, put a wee-wee pad at one end and attach a water bottle to the pen. Give a couple of chew toys too, and see if you can't find someone to come over to let the puppy outside at noon. Leaving a puppy in any pen for 8 and 9 hours a day without someone to look in on it every so often is so wrong.

He's been sleeping through the whole night for awhlie now. It was only the first week that I had to get up at 2 am to let him out. He does not run around the bed with a lot of energy. He curls up and is out for the entire night until the alarm goes off.

I think your fact is just an opinion and not a fact. My yorkie is almost 100% potty trained(he's only 4.5 months). If he does have an accident it's by the door. I have also obienced trained him. Sit, Stay, come, down. IN my opinion most dogs are taken to the pount b/c the owner doesn't understand how much time and patience is needed in housebreaking a new pet. I know a lot of people who crate their dogs all day and they are all house broken. I never crated my doberman, but I received him already trained. When my yorkie is a little older I do not plan on crating him.

Thanks for all the suggestions. I think I am going to try expanding his area to my large walk in closest which also has large windows. I am a little worried he may decide to chew on the woodwork thought since he is young and teething.

Hi! What about getting your puppy an Xpen and then putting the smaller crate *inside* the Xpen.. w/a really comfy blankey or bed that way he knows that the small crate is his sleep area and will learn to potty elsewhere. I really like the Nature's Miracles Puppy Pads.. they actually smell like grass to train the dog to eventually pee outside as well. They're super thick and absorbant and I haven't noticed them smelling. I'd just change it as soon as you get home.

I think I have a picture of my set up when I used my Xpen a lot. It doesn't show the entire pen, but I set the food/water up on one side.. a basket of toys on the other and a puppy bed. I didn't use the crate because Bentley was already crate trained, but I think for you putting it in would be a great idea!

Good luck!! :)

thats so cute...keke

Mine have chewed massively on woodwork, even when I'd turn my back for a second. They don't do it unless I have them confined to one room, so I'd be careful to try to put a barrier between the puppy and the woodwork. I speak from costly experience, lol. When I rented they tore up the baseboards in the kitchen and it cost a ton to replace them.