Housebreaking AGAIN! l

[SidsMama]

Ok, I'm sure all you experienced Boxer owners are tired of reading the same housebreaking thread over and over. However; I really do need help. I am afraid that Sid just isn't GETTING it!

So, while I'm at work, he is in his crate. I made the mistake of getting a VERY large crate, which allowed him to urinate in one end and sleep in the other. Well, I figured this out, and have since made an adjustable plywood divider to fix this problem.

Well, anyway, he's in his crate when I'm at work. When I get home, and let him out, i IMMEDIATELY take him outside, where he proceeds to pee right on the patio. Now, I know this is better than peeing in the house, but I dont want him to think that it is OK to pee there. I want him out in the yard. He is just SO excited to see me when I get home, he wont leave my side. So, he pee's for what seems like 2 full minutes (cant believe his bladder is that big) and comes in the house. Within 5 minutes, i have 2 little pee stains on my carpet. How can he hold that much?

I put him outside again, where he proceeds to throw a tempter tantrum because he's outside. Will not pee/poop, just wine and jump on the sliding glass door. I let him in after about 5 minutes, and he immediately POOPS in the house.

WHAT AM I DOING WRONG? Do I really need to start tethering him to me? I've heard this is helpful, but for some reason i'm hesitant of this.

Please help!

 

[gmacleod]

What sort of period of time in the crate are you talking about? If it's just an hour or two, then there are things you could try. But if it's 4-5 hours plus - then the answer is probably that you're leaving him for longer than he is physically capable of holding it. The fact that he's peeing a river when you get in already tells you that there was extreme need - which is not a training issue, but one of physical limitation (and there is nothing you can do about that except provide more frequent potty stops to meet the pup's needs).

If you're getting small puddles after he's already relieved himself, then I'd also be a bit inclined to consider whether or not there is a physical problem such as a urinary tract infection also.

 

[SidsMama]

What sort of period of time in the crate are you talking about? If it's just an hour or two, then there are things you could try. But if it's 4-5 hours plus - then the answer is probably that you're leaving him for longer than he is physically capable of holding it. The fact that he's peeing a river when you get in already tells you that there was extreme need - which is not a training issue, but one of physical limitation (and there is nothing you can do about that except provide more frequent potty stops to meet the pup's needs).

If you're getting small puddles after he's already relieved himself, then I'd also be a bit inclined to consider whether or not there is a physical problem such as a urinary tract infection also.

thank you for suggesting the UTI route! I was wondering this, but sort of put the thought aside because of the fact that he is a puppy. I will definetly call the vet and make an appt.

Yes, Sid is in the crate for longer than 4-5 hours. Now that I have created a divider in the crate, he no longer urinates in there.

 

[gmacleod]

Well, it's never going to hurt to have a vet check him. But the basic problem is that you're crating him for longer than it is possible for a puppy of his age to hold his bladder. There is nothing that you can do to increase his bladder-holding capacity.

Can you come home at lunch, or find someone else to come and let him out?
Thing is, it's just not reasonable or even humane to leave him crated if you can't. There is absolutely no other option for the pup but to pee if he's left for longer than he's capable of holding on (and for his age, 4-5 hours is the absolute maximum you could ever hope for - or reasonably ask for, without risking damage). And if he's crated, then that means he is forced to sit in his own waste :( Aside from the extreme unpleasantness of that, it is going to overcome his natural inhibition about soiling his bed - and once that happens, you'll have a heck of a job convincing him that's not the right thing to do.

My strong suggestion then (unless you can give him a potty break part way through the day), is that you make life easier and more pleasant for you both by NOT crating the pup. Instead, leave him gated in the kitchen or similar with some newspaper to relieve himself on. It may not be ideal - but it beats the heck out of teaching the pup to soil his crate