Re: defecating in crate

In Reply to: defecating in crate
Category:   House Breaking
Posted by:  Elizabeth
Posted on:  March 26, 2003 at 18:11:26

: Hi. I have within the last month rescued a second JRT from the local SCPA. The new one is a 2year old neutered male. When I first got Fred, I let him loose in the house while I was away. I have STOPPED that now because he urinates, defecates and chews on things in the house. Fred likes his crate and will willingly go into it. The problem, however, is that when i get home from work (approx. 5-6 hours later) he has defecated in the crate. I take him and my other JRT for as long a walk in the morning as I can (about 20 min) and this is the time the other does his business. Fred however doesn't seem to get a handle on the fact that this is the time to go. He also doesn't go when we go on a longer walk after I get home. I've begun to dread coming home because I have to constantly clean up the crate (which btw, is more liek a pet porter.... it is large enough for him to move in but not too large that he can only be in one part). Any ideas? I really love Fred and when I'm home on the weekends... he is fine.

: Thanks in advance (sorry it is so long a question)!

Response:

Hi Elizabeth,

The first thing I would do is have him checked by your vet to make sure there is no physical reason for Fred to not be able to hold. If that is ruled out then you can figure that other issues are involved.

Many of these shelter dogs regress in housebreaking, especially if they have spent any time in the shelter. There they don't get taken out to go, they just go.

There's a good chance that Fred might have gotten used to just doing his business in his kennel because that's the only opportunity he had to go.

With that in mind you are going to have to give Fred a refresher (and who knows maybe nobody ever really housebroke him) in Housebreaking 101.

That's going to mean going back to square one and put him on a feeding/potty schedule. Don't free feed him and restrict his treat intake while you get him back on track.

Please use our search engine for more tips on housebreaking. Adults can be housebroken, I have had to housebreak fosters I have taken in and they usually can get the hang of it fairly quickly if put on a schedule and be consistent in training.

I know it's frustrating to come home to that type of mess, but remember chances are poor Fred was never given any direction on how to be a housebroken pup.