I have the same playpen setup-- plastic panels, with the purina dog litter pan too. I also bought some egg crating from Home Depot-- in the lighting section, it is a plastic grating with square holes in it. You can cut it to size to fit inside the purina pan, on top of the pee pads. It prevents my girl from dragging the pee pad all over the place and also keeps her feet from walking in her pee on the pee pad. The grating is my home-made "wiz dog" pan, except it is much smaller and then has walls so that my dog can't pee over the side.

Peeing on Pad but not Pooping
 

She will use her Pee Pad to Pee...once it is used even only once she will not poop on it. She has chosen a spot in the living room for pooping...and we cannot seem to get her to stop..HELP!!:thumbdown

First you need to use Natures Miracle or something like that to clean that spot (clean like 3 times and let the solution penetrate) so u can get that enticing smell of poop out of that corner. Place a peepee pad in the exact place (always have it there) and smudge some of her poo on that pad. If she poops in that corner but on the peepee pad then bingo! Atleast it is not on the floor! Then you can gradually move the pad to where you want it to be a little bit each day. However if you dont mind her pooing on a PAD but in that corner then let her as long as she does it on the pad! Remember if she does it on the floor, STOP her in the middle of pooping. Dont let her finish and place her on the pad. Even if she doesnt finish she will get the picture. When she does go on the pad give her lots of love and praise. Hope this helps! Good luck!

I love that idea! But what happens to the poop? Is it big enough to fall through?

thank you so much! that is very great advice!

an update. i went back to the crate. and i changed her food to dry food as she seems to be having trouble holding her pee. i thought the wet food was a problem for her.

for a day and a half there has been NO ACCIDENTS (pray to God this will continue!).

a question... after how long of no accidents in the house while supervised and no accidents in the crate unsupervised is a dog able to not be in the crate? should she get 'upgraded' to a small area in the house like an exercise pen or my kitchen again? and then does she get 'upgraded' if she does good to the whole house? should she have puppy pads after she leaves the crate? what i am trying to say is right now she is learning to hold it. after the crate, does she go on pads?

just interested in the logistics of this.

lulu, u have me sold on the exercise pen. i am going to purchase one. do you think i should line the whole thing with pee pads for a bit until she sees she can make on them, and then gradually take one away at a time? and what brand do you recommend? many reviews for the nature's miracle brand are good.

Most of it stays on top-- little pieces do fall through. I basically always pick the poop, since my girl likes to eat it (sorry to be gross).

The grate does need washed every once in awhile, and you can always make another one later since you will have plenty of extra.

Here is a picture of the purina box with the grating on it! Exciting stuff!

When you started the crating, how old was she when you first started leaving her for 10 hours at a time? A new puppy simply CANNOT hold it for that long. You have to wait for them to mature before they can hold it that long.

You have to set yourself up for success with crate training. The rule of thumb is age in months +2, so if she's 3 months old, don't crate her for more than 5 hours at a time. Take her out and let her go potty. If she's been left in there for longer than her body can physically hold it, she has NO CHOICE but to relieve herself. So it sounds like she just got used to it. That is sad.

IMO. 10 hours everyday of being crated sounds like too much to me. I would look into doggy daycare. If that isn't an option, an x-pen might be a better choice, with someone to stop by and check in on her halfway, stimulate her, exercise her, feed her, etc.

when i started the crating she was about 4 months old. i think she's about 7 1/2 months old now. she is crated honestly just less than 9 hours. some days my boyfriend has work later in the day and can stop by around lunch time and lets her out for 45 minutes to play with him and potty. but it isn't every day. i can't afford doggy daycare, but i am most likely purchasing the exercise pen this weekend, and using it as a method of training on pee pee pads.

i heard about lining the whole bottom of the pen with the pads and taking away a little at at time until there's just one, and training for that.

has anyone done this?

No, I haven't had to use pee pads...but it sounds like a good idea to me. If it's not feasible to have her potty outside only...you'll have to come up with another plan. I also liked the idea of putting some type of grate over the pads...to prevent shredding...and to keep her from walking in her own pee. Really, truly wish you luck...keep us updated on how she's doing. But you have to make up your mind...and stick to the plan, you'll confuse her if you continually change the rules...

Im glad ur going to try the idea. Try going on craigslist. That is how i got mine for $25! Instead of the $60 they usually run. ANyway, yes I really like Nature's Miracle. I have not tried any other brand so I really cant tell u if there is a better one out there. I am assuming it works cuz Lulu has never gone on the spots she had accidents when i was training her(which was very rare). I dont know what to say about the lining of the whole area becuz if i remember correctly u said she tears or shreds the peepee pad? I dont know I would think she would have a field day with six or seven in there! U can do it, it wont hurt to try but i think u shpuld start on the weekend that u r home. so u can watch her for two full days. Remember to smear some of her urine and poops on the pads so she can smell it when its time to go. I would suggest when u first set it up, when you know she probably has to go potty, pick her up and tell her "go Potty" when she smells her pee she will probably go. Dont let her off until she goes. Do this for the two days u r with her. If she pees or poops somewhere else, make a loud noise and stop her, pick her up and bring her to the potty area. Try not to confuse her in the beginning and try to train her to go outside and in. if u go outside bring a weewee pad and make her go on it. Just becuz u dont have alot of time u have to stick with one thing. THis will work but u HAVE to be consistent for consecutive days. DO NOT BE LAZY!!!! DO NOT GO TO THE MOVIES WITH BF!!!!LOL. Stay home and watch and train. You will be very happy later on.

About her having free range of the house, well woman, dont count on it for a long time. Take little steps first. You will eventually get there. Lulu is 7 months old and has been with me since 3 months old and even though she is so wonderful and she always goes where there is a weewee pad I STILL can not let her have that freedom wwhen i am not home. Dogs will be dogs and they can get themselves into trouble. If u give her free range of the house too soon it WILL be a disaster waiting to happen. Train her well first. I have read ALOT of books and they say that a dog should really not be given roam of the house until a year of training and good behavior.

I really hope i have helped and of u need anything else let me know!

Very interesting. Thank Goodness Lulu never picked up on eatin her poop.

I like ur idea but Lulu will probably freak out of that feeling under her feet.

Training
 

I got the exact same pen for my little bella and it worked great. She is now trained indoor and outdoor. I placed the pads on a boot tray that has a lip on it this way the pads do not soak through to the floor. It works great. Bella is now 4 1/2 and will usually hold it till I get home but if she cannot she has the option of her tray. I know with Bella I had to keep her in the pen till she was almost a year old as I tried to give her free reign of the house a couple of times and she started chewing my furniture so we nipped that in the bud. I also leave the radio or tv on for her while I am gone. She has access to the whole house now and we have not had any accidents since she was a baby.

As far as your dogs activity that is normal puppy activity, the first year of Bella's life she just about wore me out. But she is a little blessing. As far as the jumping on people you might want to work on that as it will continue if not corrected, trust me I know. Anyway good luck with your little one.

Jay