What do you do when crate training your puppy doesn’t work?
Question by Micha: What do you do when crate training your puppy doesn’t work?
I have a 5 month old Morky (1/2 Maltese, 1/2 Yorkie). I got him 2 months ago from a pet store. The vet suggested that we crate train him, which is what I was planning since over the years I have used this method with three other puppies.
However, it doesn’t seem to be working for this puppy. I’ve made his crate area smaller, take his water away a couple of hours before he goes to bed, and yet he still pisses and craps in it. I don’t understand, and have no idea what other method to use. I take him out to go to the bathroom 4 times a day. He doesn’t whine or bark or anything when he has to go either.
I give him LOTS of praise when he goes outside, and nothing when he goes in the house/crate.
Are there any other methods that have worked for you guys? At this point, I’m willing to try ANYTHING! Its either that, or I have to get rid of him. He just isn’t bringing the joy to my house that he was meant to bring. 
Yes, I do feed him in his crate. I have since the day I brought him home.
And the space he is in is just big enough for him to lay down….just like the vet said. So, when he poos, he lays in it.
Oh, and the breeder that the store purchased him from had a site and a USDA number. Went to the site. They seemed legit. A family who exposes all of their puppies to their children.
Best answer:
Answer by drakkor16
Do you feed him in his crate? If he associates his crate with food and wonderful things (treats, etc) he’ll be less likely to use it as a bathroom. It sounds like you’ve done everything else right so far. Good luck!
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You may have got your dog from a puppy mill. It is much harder to house train them. You could try putting him in an X pen or a large crate and having pee pads on one side and his bed on the other.
Breeders usually keep the dogs in a pen and cover the bottom in paper. Slowly as they grow older they make the paper smaller and smaller until the dog is paper trained. You may have to try this if the above doesn’t work.
Take him back to the vet. He might have something wrong with him.
It’s ok that you have this puppy, as you didn’t know where pet store puppies REALLY come from, which is why many of them are sold with things wrong with them.
http://stoppuppymills.org/ http://saynotopetstorepuppies.com/ http://millbusters.com/
You got him from a pet store.
He spent the first 3 months of his life eliminating where he sleeps and eats.
Keep working at it.
Training takes time.
You’ve only had him 2 months, it’s pretty sad that you are so willing to give up so soon.
im very sorry to hear that. but you see every dog is different you will never find any two dogs that are the same. He might just be a slow learner and as far as i can see you are doing everything right. Just give him some time to realize that this is his living space as when dogs know this they won’t toilet in their space.
You didn’t say that you feed him in there if not then do so. Dogs are very hygienic and won’t fo the toilet in their living areas.
I hope this helps and good luck
Sorry you are having difficulties crate training, that’s always a bummer. It does indeed sound like you’re doing almost everything right. For his age he should be going out more than 4 times per day IMHO. Have you considered using an exercise pen (or a room like a bathroom or laundry room for confinement) and a litterbox?
One problem with puppies purchased from pet stores is the basic reality that they have come from a puppy mill. The conditions they were raised in were likely filthy and thus the dog has no natural tendencies whatsoever to keep himself clean.
Good Luck!
unfortunately dogs that are keep in the conditions related to the sale of pups in pet stores do not ge the early conditioning form the mothers to keep their nest clean. You are working on a uphill slope because fo the poor early conditions.
Confine the puppy to an area that it is OK for him to go unless you can be 100% attentive to him as soon as he starts to sniff or take the position scoop him up take he to the appropriate location and praise like crazy when he goes. – It will take lots of time – but remember you got him for a life time (small dog 15 yrs) of joy – while it is hard to deal with it now in the long run you can still have a great dog.