crate trained dog peeing in crate

[bookspage]

If you're only running out for 15 minutes, why not just leave her loose in the house? A 3 year old dog probably can handle that, as long as things are reasonably dog-proofed and she pees before you go out. Or at least gate her in an area like a kitchen or a bathroom. Ditto for work.

Crates aren't something you have to use forever unless the dog is destructive when left alone

[bassetluv]

Originally Posted by Jessi jones 06

I have a 14 week old pitbull and we have been trying to housebreak her we put down puppy pads and everything we bought some spray and sometimes she will use them and sometimes she does not when she does I praise her but now she is starting to pee in my bed and in her kennel what do I do about her I got her plenty of toys I have even started feeding her in her kennel and it's not helping

Without knowing your regular routine, it's difficult to respond. Do you rely solely on puppy pads in the home, or do you have a routine whereby the puppy is taken outdoors immediately upon awakening, after meals, after a short playtime, before bed at night, etc.? I've never used indoor pee pads, as I believe that they can actually be detrimental in the house training process. If the puppy is taken outside and encouraged to pee at every opportune moment (as already cited, in italics) I do believe this sets the puppy up to understand better when and where they are expected to eliminate.

Pee pads (imo) teach the pup that it's okay to urinate indoors (albeit in a defined area)...but then they have to be retaught to go outdoors when the owner wants to stop using the pads. Also, when taking a puppy outside to pee, the pup should be kept on a leash in order to give better control to the owner, esp. if you want to assign a certain area for bathroom activities. Letting a dog go outside on its own - a common thing for those with new pups - doesn't actually help to teach the pup what is expected of them. But monitoring them via a leash and being out there with them the entire time, and giving verbal commands, and praise when they do go, tends to be the best way (imo) to house train a new dog.

It's possible that you aren't taking your puppy out often enough. Or perhaps the puppy isn't being given enough time to go once you have her outdoors...it's quite common for a dog to take several 'leg lifts' to fully eliminate their bladder. For a young dog, elimination can involve several daily trips outside. Exercise too - in the form of walks and playtime - can encourage the pup to go. Personally, I'd get rid of the pee pads and start over, focussing instead upon teaching the pup to go outdoors.

*bookspage, this was an old thread that dates back to 2010 and was revived; I doubt the OP will respond.

[Happy in Wyoming]

Originally Posted by knh39

Hey all,

I have a 3 year old dog (female, fixed) that i've had for about a year now. She's crate trained and enjoys being in her crate.

What makes you think that she enjoys being in her crate?

[Rowan123]

Originally Posted by Jessi jones 06

I have a 14 week old pitbull and we have been trying to housebreak her we put down puppy pads and everything we bought some spray and sometimes she will use them and sometimes she does not when she does I praise her but now she is starting to pee in my bed and in her kennel what do I do about her I got her plenty of toys I have even started feeding her in her kennel and it's not helping

Are you taking her outside to pee at all? She doesn't know what the puppy pads are for unless you teach her to use them. How often are you taking her out? You need to take her out often and praise her when she goes outside. Personally I think using puppy pads makes it harder to housebreak a dog.