Bishop Peed in his crate!!!!!!

[rrboxer]

Today hubby & I had alot to do today so we both were out of the house. Usually I'm home all day as I don't work but today was the exceptionso he had to go in crate. He is still too young to be left roaming the house. Bishop (24 wks) was left in his crate (42"L x 28"W x 30"H) for 4 1/2 hours and he peed in his crate which had his bed padding. Before I left I did take him out but he didn't go I gave him 5 min to try to do his business. Another thing I took the divider/panel out completely giving him more room to stretch out in his crate. This is the 1st time he peed in his crate and I feel bad. I did not get mad or try to correct him. I feel like his accident is my fault I caused his pee accident. Keeping fingers crossed this is a one time deal and I didn't mess Bishop up on this.

1.) Was he in the crate too long? (normally he is only in there 3 hrs or less)
2.) Should I put the panel back in so he doesn't have all that room to lay out.
3.) Should I have given him more than 5 min to urinate before I left? Usually I'll wait longer but I was running out of time for my appt. (feel bad about this part).
4.) Do you think he'll go pee in crate again?
5.) I sprayed "Equalizer" on his padding to neutralize the urine and now its in the washer, do I need to buy a brand new pad or can I use it again?

He can go all night without waking up at night to go potty so I'm not sure if 4 1/2 hrs is too long during the day time. I know going to bed and sleeping at night its different than when he is up during day hours This is the first time we left him for 4 1/2 hours because we both had appointments today. 4 1/2 hours is not the norm for him, this is the longest he has been in his crate that long during the day. Pls let me know what you think.

 

[Sansal]

Don't worry too much about it, he is still a young, it happens. I would put the divider back in and try to give him more time outside next time before you leave him in there. I don't think you have to buy a new pad.

 

[Caney Creek]

Sounds like it was a combination of things....

1. In crate for longer than usual
2. Didn't get a chance to pee before crating
3. Possibly too much space in crate

Daytime vs. nighttime crating is totally different, just because he can go all night doesn't mean he can go for that amount of time during the day. I wouldn't think that one accident would cause him to form a habit out of this. As long as you can make sure he gets to pee before going in the crate and also leave him in there no longer than 3 hours until he's a bit bigger, you should be OK. Not sure how big Bishop is in relation to the size of the crate but if he is able to walk from one side to the other then it's too much space, it should be just big enough for him to stand up and turn around in a circle comfortably. I don't know what "Equalizer" is but if he has another accident, I would try switching out the bedding just to be safe.

 

[runnermags]

I think the biggest thing is that he didn't go before you crated him. If you think how long it was between his last pee and the time you left (an hour or two hours?) and add that to the 4 1/2 hours you were gone and now you are talking about asking him to hold it 5 1/2 to 6 1/2 hours.

Space probably gave him the option of going, but I'm going to guess the length of time was the real culprit.

When our Koda had his accident in the crate (first night we had him), I was able to wash the pad and reuse it and it hasn't caused any additional accidents so I don't think you need to immediately buy a new one.

Good luck!

 

[rrboxer]

Ok, thanks for all the feedback. I definitely will make sure I'm on time and watching the clock and leave plenty of time for him to pee before I rush off to any appointments in the future. This part I really feel bad about not giving him enough time to pee but for me - a lesson learned.
Yesterday I did put the panel/divider back in because he had too much room. I feel so much better. Thanks everyone for input I really appreciate it!