potty/crate training issues

[Luckyone]

I got Bella at 4 months old. And she's been crate trained. From the beginning, she'd had problems where she soils in her crate. I've tried blocking it down to make it smaller so she only has room to lay down. And also giving her more room to keep the potty and sleeping area seperate.

The backyard breeder I got Bella from, had her and many other dogs (probably 15-20 others) in a penned off area and a door that led to an outside area for pottying. Tho I'm sure they potty'd inside too.

I believe this has gotten Bella used to pottying where she sleeps.

This is our and Bella's schedule:

Get up: 6:30 am
Bella in crate: 7:15 am to 1:15 pm
Me home for lunch, break for Bella: 1:15 pm to 1:45pm
Bella in crate: 1:45 pm to 4:45/5:00
Husband home from work (Bella out): 4:45/5:00 pm
Bella's free time: 4:45/5:00 pm to 10ish pm
Bella in crate for bed: 10ish pm to 6:30 am

On weekends, she's only in her crate at night (sometimes sleeps with us) or if we leave the house (usually only for an hour or two)

I bought a small crate, large enough for her to lay down in, but I hesitate to leave her in it while we're gone. I know they need room to play etc. But we're not getting anywhere with crate training since she constantly messes in it. And I'm tiring of washing sheets and her crate.

I'm not so worried about when Bella's out of her kennel. Either she goes outside or on her pee pads.

Sorry this is so long. I'm just hoping someone has some ideas. I've been searching on the internet too and I'm not getting anywhere.

[yorkiemalt]

sounds like you're doing everything right. why don't you try using an ex-pen or even gate off a small room (bathroom). put down her wee wee pad and if she's going to potty she can use that.

For whatever reason I don't think she'll ever stop pottying in her crate.

Good Luck!

[newmommy]

does she have a blanket or any toys in her crate???

[Luckyone]

I'm debating the blocking off a room or area next. I think she'd scale an ex pen (we have one outside and she comes darn close when she's jumping )

From what I've been reading it sounds like Bella may have 'dirty dog syndrome'. Common of dogs coming from places like she did. I'm not finding much info on how to 'cure' a dog of it.

And yes, she has a blanket (currently a large sheet since I don't want to trash her favorite beds and blankets) and toys, including her bully stick. I've had to wash her toys too sometimes.

[newmommy]

remove EVERYTHING from her crate.

[TinyBit]

I was doing well with crate training but now my Gizmo goes on his potty pads about 75% of the time. Does anyone know why all of a sudden they use the floor, sometimes right next to the pad?

[newmommy]

well to a puppy a pad and the carpet are similar textured!!

[Luckyone]

so just put her in there with nothing? no blankets, toys etc?

[AMMARI]

>>>Bella in crate: 7:15 am to 1:15 pm

How old is she now? Is she messing during this time, maybe its too long for her?
Mari

[Erin]

Loki used to pee on his blanket and then shove it in the corner. He's also the smartest dog on the planet, but you still might try removing the blanket. You will have to wash HER, but she might only do it once or twice before figuring it out.

Unless you are leaving her in there too long, you should be able to fix this. Make the crate as small as you can. You don't want her to be able to pee in one corner and lie down in another.

[Luckyone]

Bella is nearing 7 months old. She should be able to hold it for the times that she's in there. Yesterday I took the small crate I bought (big enough for her) and took off the door and placed it in her larger crate. Then put pee pads down and underneath it. She got the message yesterday and pooped on her pee pads and was in the smaller kennel. Today at lunch, there was no poop but I didn't feed her much for breakfast.

I'm going to keep trying that and changing her feeding schedule. We'll see how that works out.