con
11-24-2007, 07:44 PM
My latest pup, a female (lab/rotty mix) has a problem that's starting to become very irritating. Well actually, it's pissing me off. I would consider her crate trained, however she relieves herself each time I approach the crate to take her to potty. It was barely noticeable in her small starter crate as I couldn't see in it until she was out. I was thinking she had a bladder problem or was just going in her crate because she couldn't hold it. After transferring her to her lifechanges crate, I was finally able to witness it. It never fails; each time I approach the crate to open it, she pees.
I've done extensive research on breaking it, however it seems as this could be ongoing. She's a sweet pup, but I don't have it in me to clean up that much urine 6 - 8 times a day. I don't beat or bash her, just a simple 'no' when she does something wrong and I immediately clean her up after she makes a mess.
Ironically, we went on a 4hr road trip for the past three days to visit family for thanksgiving and she only had one incident. She basically camped out in her full size doggy tent looking thing the entire time as we were in the country where dogs roam freely and are not vaccinated. Every other time I took her out, she came out without incident and went to potty as instructed.
However, get back home last night and it starts up again. Let her out to potty, she runs up to my feet, raises a paw, ducks her head and pees on the parking pad. I didn't scold her, just instructed her to go potty in the grass. Since she had done so well in the doggy tent, I decided to let her stay in it instead of housing her back in the lifestages crate. Well, low and behold this morning I go to take her out and she does her thing as I'm opening the crate. I gently say no and she releases even more creating a nice pond in the crate. I take her out every 1-2 hrs when I'm home and every 4hrs when at work. She holds it fine, just releases when I approach the crate. I also take her for two 30 - 45 minute walks and allow her to play with my boys an hour a day.
I understand that this could be a gesture of being submissive to the Alpha Dog/Person or either overly excited......and everything I have read says to basically allow her to do it and hope she outgrows it. I've even tried crawling to the crate, not looking at her and approaching at an angle. None of it has worked so far. On the other hand, she could possibly start to think it is ok to piss her crate and never stop. I'm at wits end and just tired of cleaning piss.
I knew I should of gotten another male :screwy:
For now, she's confined to the garage until this habit is broken. I would rather wipe up cement around the crate than be cleaning carpet that many times a day. However, if she keeps it up; she'll be moving outside permanently as I've thrown out way too many towels, t-shirts and rags cleaning up as it is.
Any suggestions are much appreciated
I've done extensive research on breaking it, however it seems as this could be ongoing. She's a sweet pup, but I don't have it in me to clean up that much urine 6 - 8 times a day. I don't beat or bash her, just a simple 'no' when she does something wrong and I immediately clean her up after she makes a mess.
Ironically, we went on a 4hr road trip for the past three days to visit family for thanksgiving and she only had one incident. She basically camped out in her full size doggy tent looking thing the entire time as we were in the country where dogs roam freely and are not vaccinated. Every other time I took her out, she came out without incident and went to potty as instructed.
However, get back home last night and it starts up again. Let her out to potty, she runs up to my feet, raises a paw, ducks her head and pees on the parking pad. I didn't scold her, just instructed her to go potty in the grass. Since she had done so well in the doggy tent, I decided to let her stay in it instead of housing her back in the lifestages crate. Well, low and behold this morning I go to take her out and she does her thing as I'm opening the crate. I gently say no and she releases even more creating a nice pond in the crate. I take her out every 1-2 hrs when I'm home and every 4hrs when at work. She holds it fine, just releases when I approach the crate. I also take her for two 30 - 45 minute walks and allow her to play with my boys an hour a day.
I understand that this could be a gesture of being submissive to the Alpha Dog/Person or either overly excited......and everything I have read says to basically allow her to do it and hope she outgrows it. I've even tried crawling to the crate, not looking at her and approaching at an angle. None of it has worked so far. On the other hand, she could possibly start to think it is ok to piss her crate and never stop. I'm at wits end and just tired of cleaning piss.
I knew I should of gotten another male :screwy:
For now, she's confined to the garage until this habit is broken. I would rather wipe up cement around the crate than be cleaning carpet that many times a day. However, if she keeps it up; she'll be moving outside permanently as I've thrown out way too many towels, t-shirts and rags cleaning up as it is.
Any suggestions are much appreciated