more questions - new puppy- crate-kids-working full time

[11laura11]

Hi everyone,

Sorry for so many questions, but this is so helpful! Anyway, we were crating Max during the day for 7-9 hours. I found when I got home with my two and half year old child, Max was super hyper. I could not tolerate it with my child, because she kept screaming about him. She was tired from long day. SO we stopped crating him during the day and it has made a world of difference. He is calmer, happier and not hyper. The problem is, he is peeing and pooping anywhere. Now I know there is only so much, we can do working full time, but would a big exercise pen be another option? At least that way, I know where he is peeing and pooping and do not step in it when we get home. Will he never be housetrained if we do it this way? He does not go in the house when we are home. Also, do any of you have stuff that happens at night and can not get home till later? I am going to stop home at lunch today, but can not get home tonight until 9 pm due to obligation. Is that okay? Please advise.

 

[bustermom]

If necessary, you can block rooms off with baby gates to keep him contained in a puppy proofed area. Best is usually a kitchen or laundry room (easy clean floors).

Exercise pens are tough because many boxer pups can be climbers (like our Buster).

It's not a good idea to give him full run of the house, as he could easily hurt himself or your house (imagine your toddler wandering unsupervised for a few hours and you'll get my meaning :eek: ). Also, be sure to clean any area where he does pee/poop with a biological cleaner which will take away all residue of the smell. Regular cleaners will hide it from our noses but not from a dog's. Nature's Miracle is a great product, and what we use at our house. (Along with area rugs - if it can't be thrown in the wash, I don't want it on my floor! :D )

As far as slowing down potty training, yes it will. But all is not lost. First, you need to accept that it will take longer and not get aggravated at the pup. Second, give the pup every chance to go out and potty when you are home so that he never has an accident while someone is home. The more wonderful (treat/praise) outdoor potty experiences he had, the more they will stick in his head as good things.

It will take longer to get him to realize that the house isn't a place to potty in since with no one home he's not getting caught in the act so that he can redirected, but it can be done. You may want to try setting up a potty station in your designated area using puppy pee pads and try to get him to use them, as opposed to a random spot. Then, once he's going in one particular spot, you can work on moving that spot outside as he gets older.

Good luck! And kudos to you for working through the "issues of puppyhood". Although, since boxers are puppies for yeeeeeears, you've got your work cut out! :D