Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi all, and thanks for reading my message. I have a 14 week old Cavalier that we got a couple of days ago. We got him from a local shop (I know, I know) and I think that could possibly be the route of my problem.

We are attempting to crate train him. For the most part during the day, we've gotten him to go out in the yard. We are basically following all of the "rules" of crate training. The only problem that we have had is both nights that he's been crated, he's pooped in the crate. We've taken him out before going to bed, and made sure that he's gone, and he's only been crated overnight for about 4 hours each night.

Is there any way of breaking him from this. He hasn't barked or cried, even though he's basically been laying in it. Maybe he just likes a bath every morning.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

>>Hi all, and thanks for reading my message. I have a 14 week old Cavalier that we got a couple of days ago. We got him from a local shop (I know, I know) and I think that could possibly be the route of my problem.
>>
>>We are attempting to crate train him. For the most part during the day, we've gotten him to go out in the yard. We are basically following all of the "rules" of crate training. The only problem that we have had is both nights that he's been crated, he's pooped in the crate. We've taken him out before going to bed, and made sure that he's gone, and he's only been crated overnight for about 4 hours each night.
>>
>>Is there any way of breaking him from this. He hasn't barked or cried, even though he's basically been laying in it. Maybe he just likes a bath every morning.
>>
>>Any suggestions would be appreciated.

>>>>>>>>>>

If he came from a pet shop, he has been forced to eliminate in his cage at night. Let's not think "breaking" a dog! What you want is to restore his instincts to keep his bed clean, and also help him form the habits you desire.

To start, a portable exercise pen in your bedroom, or if you have a bathroom adjoining the bedroom that you could put him in at night with a baby gate--either would keep him near you and not alone, plus able to get away from his own waste to sleep. You could cover the whole floor of his "playpen" with papers until you see where he is going to eliminate. Then move his bed and water and any food and toys in there to the other end.

Do this for at least a week, probably two or so, before you try a crate again. Keep in mind that a crate is very easy to abuse. It doesn't teach the dog a darn thing. The puppy should be in there only when there is absolutely no way you can supervise him. The rest of the time, he needs to be out of there with a person, learning, bonding, getting mild exercise. Too much crate time is very bad for dogs. The term "crate training" sometimes means a person has the impression that there is something magic about the crate. There isn't, not at all.
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Kathy Diamond Davis, author, "Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog to Reach Others," 2nd edition, and the free Canine Behavior Series articles at http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=SRC&S=1&SourceID=47

Thank you for your response. My little Cosmo spends very little time in the crate other that for a few hours overnight. There is almost always someone home with him. He has for the most part gone to the bathroom out in the yard, very few incidents indoors, except the overnight thing.

Thanks again!!