My dog pees in the crate
No. They don’t. Read any of the dog training books and they will tell you in plain simple English “Dogs don’t pee where they sleep!”
Umm-hmmm.
Well, so. Around THIS neck of the woods we have dogs who don’t read the dog training books and not only pee but poop in their crates. Then roll in it. Wheee!!!
Sigh.
I don't pee in my crate, but I chew everything I can reach when I'm in there!
So what do we do if your dog/puppy does pee in the crate? Pees where they sleep. Doesn’t seem to care?
Well, there are a few things. In the case of a brand new dog or puppy – one who has been in your household only a few days, we basically ignore it. New house, new people, new food sometimes, different water…stress!! We just go with the ….umm…sorry…flow and let it go for a few days. Crap happens. (Sorry)
But we keep track. Sometimes our dog/puppy can’t hold it as long as we think they ‘should’ be able to. I get a lot of puppies who have been, literally, raised in a barn, and think they take one or two steps away from the sleep area and that is where they go. So that is what they are doing. They haven’t learned to hold it. So we have to teach them to hold it, to stretch those little bladders.
What about barking in the crate? Do we want to talk about that???
There are older dogs, breeder dogs whose only option was to pee in the crate, who learned that is where they are to go. Then, again, other dogs who have never been housebroken who just…go…willy-nilly, no matter where they are.
So, yeah, sometimes they DO pee in the crate.
Sometimes the crate is too big. If they can take a step away from where they sleep, they will pee there. Why not. No skin off their nose!
Sometimes they are fine till they hear us come in, then they pee all over themselves. In delight. I’m sure that’s why. Really.
Delight! Yes, that is the right word!
Sometimes a dog who usually doesn’t pee in the crate will if they are ill. Something to think about it your dog suddenly starts – bladder infection, upset tummy.
So – what to do. First rule out any physical cause. Make sure they are well. Vet visit.
Then we start feeding our dog in the crate. Stick the food about halfway in there, and don’t shut the door on them while they are eating. Leave the food in there for about ten or fifteen minutes and then pick it up. Sometimes they won’t pee where they Eat. I KNOW – they eat poop – so what’s with that?? Its a dog thing.
Give them yummies in the crate. Some chewy bone or bone toy or biscuit they only get in the crate. Same reason.
Toss in a treat at random times, let me go get it! yay!
Make the crate as small as is humane. Walk in, turn around, lay down, period. No room to walk away and pee. With certain dogs or breeds, every time we make it bigger as they are older – they will revert for a day or so. Then settle down again. Silly dogs.
Look at your scheduling. When are you letting them out? How long are they in there? Sometimes its just too long and its not their fault. When are you feeding them? Maybe change the schedule on that.
Sometimes accidents happen – I’ve had people ALL Upset saying “he peed in the crate!” When asked – it was one time two weeks ago and they still haven’t gotten over it – doomed they are, doomed!! Chill, people. Dogs have accidents occasionally just like people. Once two weeks ago might have been stomach issue or the kids snuck him something he shouldn’t have had or just…take a deep breath, and just get over it.
Was it really an accident? Sure! I don't pee 'cause I'm mad!
Peeing when they see you is not really a housebreaking issue. More of a management issue. Take it as compliment….and practice your comings and goings. Pop dog in the crate, leave, back out the driveway, come back in. Lather, rinse, repeat, over and over. Keep both the comings and goings low key. Calm. Ignore the dog other than a quick, “lets go outside!” You can love on them all you want – after they do what you want them to do. Which is, of course, pee outside.
So – despite what you read, dogs DO sometimes pee where they sleep. But we can fix that. What other issues do you have with your dog – either housebreaking or crate issues? Leave me a comment or email me and I’ll do my best to help!