vbmike73: So he's not in his crate very much, except when we are all gone from home for a couple hours at a time.
Does he LIKE being in his crate? Liking to be in there is essential, the dog should feel safe in there. I like to keep the crate close to me as well.
My sister has a terrier who screams when he is put in his crate, because he was only ever placed in there when he was younger when something "bad" happened, like everyone going out and leaving him on his own. Make sure lots of positive things happen around and in the crate, like meals and special treats.
I have never litter trained a dog, sorry... I prefer my dogs to pee outside. But if the dog LIKES spending time in his crate then I imagine you could use that, and a schedule, to encourage the dog to pee in the preferred place (the litter box), just like you can if you want the dog to pee in a specific place outside.
Is the litter box big enough for the dog to use comfortably? Might a slightly bigger one engender better progress? Just thinking aloud here....
"Give a man a fire and he is warm for a day, but set fire to him and he is warm for the rest of his life." - Pratchett, "Jingo"
