Crate Training Overnight Problems

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Crate Training Overnight Problems

Posted : 7/13/2006 7:32:20 AM

Hi all, and thanks for reading my message. I have a 14 week old Cavalier that we got a couple of days ago. We got him from a local shop (I know, I know) and I think that could possibly be the route of my problem.

We are attempting to crate train him. For the most part during the day, we've gotten him to go out in the yard. We are basically following all of the "rules" of crate training. The only problem that we have had is both nights that he's been crated, he's pooped in the crate. We've taken him out before going to bed, and made sure that he's gone, and he's only been crated overnight for about 4 hours each night.

Is there any way of breaking him from this. He hasn't barked or cried, even though he's basically been laying in it. Maybe he just likes a bath every morning.

He has gotten lots of attention from my children and has had someone home with him since we've got him. He's a very sweet dog and always seems happy. He loves to run around the yard and play.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Ajalee Hood

Posted : 7/14/2006 10:04:37 AM

Did the pet store you got the pup from keep their animals in cages? Because if your

up was kept in a pet store cage, he has already been taught that he is supposed to relieve himself in the crate. My mother's toy poodle had the same problem, since she was also a pet store dog (she had multiple other problems as well, but after 2 years, they are mostly sorted out). So we never crate trained her, since we could not break her of this habit. She didn't LIKE laying a mess, but it was what she was used to from living in the pet store, so she thought that was the way it was done.

My only advice is to be patient, and make sure that you take you pup outside every hour or two until he gets the idea. Also, try not to use a wire crate, or anything that resembles where the pup was kept in the store.

mudpuppy

Posted : 7/14/2006 1:47:50 PM

nope. Once the instinct to not-potty-in-bed is broken, it is broken. I'd suggest confining him in an x-pen or dog-proof room instead of a crate and provide a piddle pad for accidents for some weeks. Also would suggest getting up and taking him out once or twice during the night for awhile.