pup soiling crate update

[Guest Anonymous]

(sigh) I am feeling so terrible, everyone. Someone please tell me I am not a mean puppy mommy for saying these things, but I am starting to wonder if my doggie would not be happier with someone else. I think perhaps she and I are not such a good match. She cannot be contained anywhere but the crate, we have tried everything. She is on super premium food, so the poops are at a minimum, but still, she refuses to keep the crate clean. And being pg my sense of smell is weird now, and please forgive me for saying this, but I cannot stand the smell of my little dogger! I mean, you go toward the crate, smell the pee, have to carry her to the tub and all the while the nausea is unbearable. The wet dog and shampoo smell really gets me. I feel just horrible that the first thing that happens when I get up in the morning to greet my little doggie is my stomach turns! And when everything is clean, she does it AGAIN. I am wearing sooo thin. Someone please tell me I am not a mean mommy!!! I had to vent!

[courtnek]

Altho the crate is the most touted way of housebreaking, it doesnt work for every dog. Freebee would NOT be crated, and peed in the crate and eventually destroyed it entirely.

With her, I put her in the bathroom with a baby gate in the doorway. Put her bed on one side of the room and puppy pads on the other, next to the toilet. Far enough apart that she could use the pads but not soil her bed.

Then when I would come home at lunch I would take her & the pads (if she had used them) outside to the yard and put the pads on the ground and let her sniff them, then encourage her to go. My keyword was "outside stuff"

It took longer to housebreak her than the crate usually does, but the mission was accomplished. It's easier by far to clean a tiled bathroom floor than a crate and the dog.....one kind of dog is it by the way? and how old?

[Guest Anonymous]

Thanks so much, guys. I feel better. I will pray that things get better and that she grows out of this behavior...Thanks again. :wink:

[ellieangel]

K is right pup1 give yourself a break :wink:

[Guest Anonymous]

Thank, K. Thanks everyone. I really feel better. I was so concerned that I was being a real meanie. I mean, I can't even stand the smell of my own doggie after she has a bath! My stomach turns at the sight of her! I feel horrible. But you guys made me feel better. I really appreciate it. My husband stayed home today and after he bathed her about and cleaned her crate about 3 times looked at me and said "How have you been doing this every day?" and we discussed finding her a more suitable home, where someone who is not so ill can look after her the way she deserves. I guess we will see. Thanks everyone, you are all very very sweet.

[Angelboddy]

GOOD LUCK. :D
AND DON'T STRESS YOURSELF OUT SO MUCH! :-?
IT'S NOT HEALTHY SWEETIE. :(

[meehs]

I agree that you need to give yourself a break Pup1. These types of behavioral problems are very difficult to deal with even for someone who is at 100%! You need to get others to help you in your efforts!

At the risk of being the "bad guy" again though, I don't agree at all with trying to find a new home for your puppy. There really is no such thing as a "suitable" home for a puppy with this type of behavioral problem. The fact is; no one wants to deal with something like this and if you pass him to another home it's likely that they'll do the same thing and he'll bounce around until he ends-up at a shelter (or worse).

The good thing is that your dog is a puppy so he (or she) can and will get through this. It'll be difficult. Obviously it already has been. I would recommend getting help from a professional trainer or behavioralist in your area. Start with your vet and go from there. Maybe he can refer you to a specialist.

Please do everything you can and get whatever help you need to work through this. In the end you'll be happy you did! Good luck to you!