Guest Anonymous Posted July 21, 2003 Posted July 21, 2003 Ok guys, I am at my wit's end with this particular doggie. Her UTI all gone, I feel that her urinating inside her crate should have stopped by now. She still does it, and now is defacating inside it, too. I have not encountered this behavior before in a pup previously housebroken and frankly she is exasperating me. My house smells just AWFUL. ANy ideas??? I am desperate to help this poor pup but I fear it is behavioral and I must admit, though I love this dog, I am exhausted bathing her and cleaning her crate 4-5 times a day. Vet assures me nothing physical is wrong with her. Ideas???? Quote
Guest Anonymous Posted July 21, 2003 Posted July 21, 2003 A bit more history--she is 4 months old, a border collie mix if this helps. Everything started when I bought her a new crate because she was getting too big for her old one. When she started soiling the new crate I put her into the old one again, and she soiled it, too. Took her to the vet, she had a mild UTI, but they said it was very slight, and to watch her for the behavior to continue when the meds were done. Well, she has now added defacating in the crate to her repertiore. Oh, yes, and the incessant whining and howling, whether she is inside the house or out for playtime. Is this normal for a border? Thanks guys, I appreciate it! Quote
Mary's Mama Posted July 21, 2003 Posted July 21, 2003 You are not alone. I had the same problem with my female. She did not ever like her crate. It stressed her out which is why she had accidents. They were not intentional, but merely a symptom of the stress she felt being confined. I have felt the exhaustion you describe. My recommendation is to put the crate away for a while. Get baby gates and keep her in a kitchen or safe room while you are out. Do that for a while. Then start adding the crate back in slowly. Put it in the room with her as her "bed" with no door. Also when you are home, toss treats in the back of the crate and get her to go in after them. once she will go in and get the treats easily start working on closing the door for a few seconds and move up and up on your time. Dont leave the house and lock her in the crate until you are sure she can handle it. Some dogs love crates, some dogs dont. This is the procedure I went through with my girl. She now will go in a crate and is okay with it but we still dont leave her in it while we are gone. Not sure if it is a clausterphobia or what but she just freaks out. Crate training does have its benefits but it is not always the answer. Please consider other alternatives. Poor girl is just scared. Quote
Daisysmom Posted July 21, 2003 Posted July 21, 2003 My Chelsea who is about 10 months had the same problem. She would always pee in her crate. One thing is to limit the food and water after a certain time (if this is happening at night)... maybe 7:00 PM. Also, you could try the puppy pads in the crate. Let her know it is okay to pee on them and then slowly move them closer to the door and then finally out the door to a spot where you want her to go. Chelsea has outgrown this, and I think your pup will too. It is an age thing, I read some where that they can only hold their bladder for a certain amount of time... like 3 months, only 3 hours, 4 months 4 hours, and etc. Also, get a spray for your carpet and the crate that eliminates the pet odor. Not a cleaner, but an eliminator. Good luck!!!!! Quote
Guest Anonymous Posted July 21, 2003 Posted July 21, 2003 Thanks everyone for your advice. I have an odor eliminator, actually I have been through several bottles with this dog. The baby gates do not work, tried that. She scales them and proceeds to eat the house--carpet, sofas, anything that won't eat her. This behavior in the crate is new, that is what I do not understand. She has been crated since she was weaned, with no problems. I am soooo exhausted. I hope she grows out of this gross behavior. :( Quote
imported_Cassie Posted July 21, 2003 Posted July 21, 2003 You also mention you have to clean up accidents about 4 - 5 times daily...does this mean you are at home with your little fur baby? If so what I would do for awhile is to take the pup out for a pee & bowel movement about 15 minutes after each meal and wait until she does her business...praise her...then I would take her out every hour then wean off to 2 hours and so on...a little pup has to go frequently as they are developing...when the get the "urge" you'll usually see them do a few circles or sniff around...or some times whine a little...during the times your pup is in the house with you....tie the leash around your waist and watch for these signs, immediately take your pup out...don't punish your pup for accidents which happen... a pup and dog has a very short memory and once the dead is done it is out of the pups mind and when you punish the pup after the fact it will think...gee, I came over to my owner and I am being punished...this is a bad thing...so on. The other suggestions you have received are good...I myself have never crated my dogs...it was a good suggestion by Mary's mama to leave the crate door open and keep your pup in the kitchen...also be sure you clean up all mistakes throughly...and make sure your crate is not too big. Here is a great web site to read. http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=2&cat=1548&articleid=157 Quote
mommacat Posted July 21, 2003 Posted July 21, 2003 We tried crating Maya when we first got her, and she would cry, whine, and then have accidents - I think she was stressed, too. When we stayed w/my parents, we borrowed the cage they have for thier schnauzer. It works really well, she isn't nearly as stressed, because she can see out more. I also like it because it folds flat, and is really great for travelling. Quote
courtnek Posted July 22, 2003 Posted July 22, 2003 Freebee wouldnt be crated either - it stressed her out too bad. I put her in the bathroom with a bed on one side and puppy pads on the other. She too would scale and jump over baby gates - the solution is more than one, right on top of each other. You can get the ones that have rubber ends that screw into a wall frame, so are easily removed. just make sure you put a pad of some kind, like I used bandage gauze, between the wall and the rubber grippers or it will take the paint off your frame. I left it about 2 1/2 inches high off the floor and two 1/2 inches down from the top of the frame and she could not get out. Just make sure they're the kind she can see out of, so she doesnt feel hemmed in. crating doesnt work for every dog...unfortunately. Quote
Guest Anonymous Posted August 4, 2003 Posted August 4, 2003 You mentioned this started with a new crate, maybe it is too big? I know of some dog who will urinate and defacate in a crate if they have too much room. Just a thought... Quote
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