Help!

by kcrxgirl at 05/19/09 3:28PM
So I know that dogs usually don't use the bathroom where they sleep, but ours does. Whenever we leave she gets so worked up when we put her in her kennel and when we get back she's urinated all over it (once she even went #2 in there while we were gone).

How do we get her to stop? She's ruined 2 beds already.

I know some people would recommend getting a smaller kennel, but she uses the restroom right in the middle of the kennel and then lays on it. And even if we were to try a smaller kennel, if we got the next size smaller she wouldn't be able to stand up in there.

This is getting pretty frustrating so any advice would be greatly appreciated!
  • textilet
    We had a dog that did this - we should have investigated her puppyhood a little better, she had been kept in a cage almost exclusively. We had her one year and never broke her of it.
    by textilet at 05/19/09 3:59PM
  • heather
    Your dog probably isn't getting enough exercise. You needs to start taking her out for a walk at least 5 times a day so she can get her energy out and empty her bladder. It will be difficult at first, but it will work.
    by heather at 05/19/09 4:29PM
  • cascadingharmony
    Sounds like separation anxiety...try this method. Put your pup in the kennel and act like you're leaving. Stay away for 5 mins, and come back. Keep repeating this, while slowly lengthening the time you are away. Soon, she'll realize that you WILL come back and that she doesn't have to get herself worked up into a tizzy. It will take some time and patience, but it should work.
    by cascadingharmony at 05/28/09 1:48PM
  • jenn
    Does she have to have a crate pad? Our dog prefers the bare plastic.
    by jenn at 06/08/09 11:35PM
  • kcrxgirl
    We've started putting both dogs into the same kennel while we're gone and it seems to be helping. The kennel is plenty big for both of them to lay down in there. Since we've started doing this there's been no more going potty on her bed and much less whining and whimpering as we're leaving (we used to be able to walk out of our apt, go down 2 flights of stairs and walk to our car and be able to hear her the whole way).
    by kcrxgirl at 06/09/09 3:44PM