going in his cage and he won't stop

J

jerjon7

Forums Novice
potty training has not been going well so far, we have had him for about 10 weeks and approximately 2 weeks ago he took a huge step back, he went in his cage for the first time. He was sick that is why we beleive he did that, but since then he feels like its alright to go in there at any time :confused2:

what can i do to remedy this, he also has been going outside less and less all together, basically he has taken a couple steps back on everthing, i would of figured by now,by following all the guidlines i have read on here and other places that he should be getting the idea by now he is 17 weeks old at this point.
 
Back to step one!!

First I suggest you scrub out his cage with some a bleach solution. Then start from scratch. Back to bringing him out every 2 hours, and approx. 15 mins after he eats and right after naps. Lots of praise when he does go where you desire and Treats will encourage. How large is the crate you have him in ? If it's the all metal ones they usually come with a divider to confine them to a smaller area when you are away. I'd adjust the area to confine his space so he won't want to soil where he must sleep. This should work unless he's having health issues. Best of luck and please keep us updated.:wink2:
 
I don't know exactly what you're doing for potty training your puppy, but one of the most important things is to go outside with your puppy, and praise and treat when he goes outside. That was one of the hardest things for me to do, because sooo many times we went out and he did absolutely nothing. He did learn it though it may have taken a month or two. It probably took that long because a lot of the times in the beginning, I just let him out to go and just waited for him inside. That was because we had 2 feet of snow and I had a broken back, but had to dig him a path in the snow so he could even go outside. It was kind of cute watching him in the snow--he'd walk a couple of feet, and PLOP, he'd fall through the snow and you could barely see his head on top the snow!
 
elaine2004 said:
First I suggest you scrub out his cage with some a bleach solution. Then start from scratch. Back to bringing him out every 2 hours, and approx. 15 mins after he eats and right after naps. Lots of praise when he does go where you desire and Treats will encourage. How large is the crate you have him in ? If it's the all metal ones they usually come with a divider to confine them to a smaller area when you are away. I'd adjust the area to confine his space so he won't want to soil where he must sleep. This should work unless he's having health issues. Best of luck and please keep us updated.:wink2:
Click to expand...

Elaine is bang on! Pretend he's 8 weeks old and you've brought him home for the very first time.

It's nbot uncommon for them to slip up, especially after being sick. Just get back into a routine as quickly as possible.

Good luck!
 
Can I ask how big the crate is? If it is too large he will not get the idea that this is not a restroom for him
 
this is getting quite frustrating, i am following all instructions and he is still going in the cage, the cage is just slightlly bigger than it should be i think, though before the first accident he was in there for 10 weeks with no accidents at all, beng left in the cage for over 8 hours at times. i don't understand what is going on, he has been a pain to potty train since the beginning, i have had him for 12 weeks and he still is not potty trained, we will have good days were it seems like he understands when and where he is supposed to go, then there will be days that he doesn't. then the mix, were he seems fine we take him out he gos then after we bring him in and put him in his cage he goes again.
 
If cleaning with bleach isn't working maybe try an odor neutralizing spray. You can get it at most pet stores. Its possible he can still smell previous accidents and thinks its still ok to go in his crate.

You need to do something to make the crate smaller or it will probably continue. There should only be enough room for him to turn around. Is there something you can stuff in the crate to make it smaller? Like maybe the lid of a rubbermaid container with some blankets behind it?

I don't know what his behavior is like outside of the crate, or whether the problem is just when he's in his crate. If he's going in the house frequently also, you may want to bring him to a vet to have him checked out, just in case he has a UTI. Much less common in male dogs then female, but its a possibility.

I'm sorry you're having so much trouble, I know how frustrating it can be. Try to be patient. Good Luck!
 
thanks for the response, we have tried using both bleach and odor neutralizing stuff, i will try the confining of his crate space to see if that works

OntarioSheltie said:
If cleaning with bleach isn't working maybe try an odor neutralizing spray. You can get it at most pet stores. Its possible he can still smell previous accidents and thinks its still ok to go in his crate.

You need to do something to make the crate smaller or it will probably continue. There should only be enough room for him to turn around. Is there something you can stuff in the crate to make it smaller? Like maybe the lid of a rubbermaid container with some blankets behind it?

I don't know what his behavior is like outside of the crate, or whether the problem is just when he's in his crate. If he's going in the house frequently also, you may want to bring him to a vet to have him checked out, just in case he has a UTI. Much less common in male dogs then female, but its a possibility.

I'm sorry you're having so much trouble, I know how frustrating it can be. Try to be patient. Good Luck!
Click to expand...
 
Is he still having troubles outside of his crate as well?

The most important thing is to make him stop going in his crate. Most dogs and pups will not go where they sleep or lie down so if there is no extra room in the crate then he should stop going in it (hopefully! I'll keep my fingers crossed for you!)

Once you have that taken care of, start from scratch with him. Establish a routine, take him out as soon as you get up in the morning, then again after he eats/drinks or plays. Make sure to carry him out and don't play with him while out for a potty break. Give lots of praise and a high value reward when he goes where he's supposed to.

If you can't watch him, put him in his crate. If you've put him out and he doesn't go, crate him for 15 minutes, then put him out again. Keep doing this till he goes outside and then give lots of praise.

I'm sure you know all of this already, just thought I'd mention anyway.
 
You said that he goes outside sometimes..but then comes in and goes more in his crate...
When he goes outside does he come right back in? I was always told that after they go...stay out and play for a bit just to make sure they are done...guess thats a puppy thing...
Then...if he has gone potty..why is he put back into his crate? If his bladder is empty and he's been a good boy and gone in the right place..he should have earned the right of some free time and time with you playing.

Heres what my breeder told me..and it worked out great!!

Write down the times of day that puppy does his job...feed pup at the same times everyday. There will start to be a pattern when puppy has to go. Pretty soon you will know...its been a half hour since he ate..so he needs to go out now...and eventually you will be able to "read" his signs that he needs to go out...with Shelties, sometimes its pretty subtle..like just stareing at you..LOL
Take puppy out on leash every single time to potty...have yummy stinky treats with you....go to where you would like him to do it..and stand in one spot...they will sniff alot to find the right spot..if you walk around..it will take longer because they will want to sniff all the new places before they go...
You have to be patient..it might take up to 10-15 minutes before he goes...While you are waiting...keep saying your "potty" word...whatever you say for the deed..LOL We say "go potty".... Then when he does the deed..say "GOOD POTTY" and have a little happy party and give the yummy stinky treat you brought with you...its important to give the treat right then and there...if you wait til you go inside, he won't know that he's getting it for pottying outside. After your little happy party..let him off his leash (if your yard is fenced and secure) and have a play time. I think this will speed up his sniffing time before going potty because he will learn..he's on leash til he goes and free after he goes...
Now if he doesn't go after 10-15 minutes...just walk back inside and put him in his crate...and wait another 15-30 minutes and try again...
I call this period.."Puppy Potty Hell" LOL

On the crate...sounds like you've cleaned it good..so I'm thinking its just too big...can you make a barrier out of cardboard or something? something temporary so as he grows you can make it bigger?
Oooo another thought...If you can figure out when he pottied in his crate..that will give you a clue...maybe its been too long since he went out...??

Good luck!!

Julie
Clancy & Abby
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top