Poops when afraid??

[Midaelyn]

Hi, my new baby finally came home Friday morning:D The bad thing is, she's only 6 weeks old. The breeder said that everyone else got their puppies, so we need to get her, or we would lose our deposit, or something. Her name is India.
Friday and Saturday night, she had to sleep in the bed with me b/c her crate hadn't arrived yet after buying it online. Anway, when we picked it up yesterday morning, I slowly began introducing her to it and praising her as you're supposed to. I finally closed the door and all hell broke loose. Of course she was yelping and barking and howling...she was really hysterical. She even started biting the door. Then I smelled this ungodly odor, looked in, and there were two small piles of poop. I had just taken her outside to potty prior to being put in the crate. Maybe a 3 minute interval between the two.
I forgot to mention, Saturday, I took her up to show her to my grandmother, maybe a 5 mintue drive, if that. I put her in a carrier and off we went. Of course, she didn't like that, carrying on. By the time we got there, again, there were two small piles of poop. Could she be doing this b/c she is afraid?? The breeder kept them on a very tight schedule as far as feeding and potty time, every two hours, and she's done very, very well! I know she's really kind of young to be crated already, but what else can I do? Any suggestions, on anything?

Thanx,
Midaelyn

 

[Kiana's Mom]

I'm surprised the breeder said everyone else took their puppies at 6 weeks old. I know all states are different and in Florida the LAW reads no puppy may be sold before 8weeks of age and a valid health certificate.

However, in response to your question it is a complete departure from what she's used to, her litter mates are gone and she's barely weaned. So here she is in a crate and in new surroundings I'm sure it's nervousness that may be causing her to defacate in the crate.

Good Luck with your new baby.

Kiana's Mom
fawn boxer 18 weeks

 

[Tulsa-Dan]

This very young pup is definitely afraid and the pooping is a result of such fear. This is not necessarily a behavioral issue as much as it is a physiological issue in that the pup is too young to have any muscle control in terms of bladder and bowls. I'm sure most of this will subside with age.

I suggest since you do have such a young pup, you go to our puppy section and read This Article and all about the life stages of the puppy so you can get a handle on how to get you and your pup through the fear stages, and the other puppy stages and growth stages.

Puppies are a lot of work, especially ones which are as young as yours. Best of luck. Keep us posted and hopefully we can help you get thru the puppy stage without too much difficulty. After all, many many of us have raised pups, many as young as yours, and experience is the best teacher of all.

Best of luck.

 

[harley03]

I had the same experience with Harley, who came home with us at exactly 6 weeks. I definately blame it on the breeder who let the pup go too early. I couldn't even so much as put him in by himself without pooping until he was about 10 weeks old. Hopefully you'll have better luck with your pup. Just one more reason to take your pup home at 8 weeks or later.
It will get better though I promise. It may take him a little longer to get the hang of the crate. Harley hated the crate till he was 4 months or a little older. Now it's like his own little room that he goes into when he pleases. The next few weeks will be tough, my only advice is to keep a hose handy for late night crate accidents .

 

[Midaelyn]

Success!!

Last night India won the victory over crate training!! I put her in around 10:00 and left the door open to see what she would do, she just went to sleep! Never heard a peep out of her until about 2:00 a.m., she wanted to play, . I made sure she went to potty and played for about a half an hour, took her back to the crate and she just fell asleep! I then decided to try to close the door...I woke up at 7:00 this morning and she was just laying there, looking at me, and the best part...NO MESS! LOL, I'm so proud of her! Not to say that this will last, but I sure do hope so! Thanx for all the replies!:D

Midaelyn & India

 

[Cayman's Mom]

wOw!! We must really be lucky. We got our pup at 6 weeks, he is now almost 9 weeks and has not went wee wee or poo in his crate once! he even scratches at the door to go potty.