When your dog goes to the bathroom in his cage, it can be a normal response to feel frustrated or angry. But, before you get too wound up, take a minute and think about how your dog feels. He's in a confined space that's now soiled. Instead of getting mad, try to find out why he's going in his cage and then help him break the habit.
Instructions
Determine why your dog is going potty in his crate. A dog can soil his crate for a broad range of reasons, so before you start the training process, take the time to truly assess the moments when he soils his crate. Did he eat or drink right before going into the crate? Was he especially anxious prior to entering the crate?
Choose an appropriately sized crate for your dog. If your dog has too much room to move around in his cage, he may find it easier to go to the bathroom inside of it. On the other hand, if the cage is only large enough for him to turn around and lie down, he will be less likely to go to the bathroom where he sleeps.
Make his crate comfortable. A comfortable dog is a happy dog and a happy dog is less likely to suffer from high anxiety that can lead to poor bladder control. Give your dog a soft surface to sleep on in his crate and this will help him get more comfortable quicker.
Tire your dog out before putting him in his crate. Exercise is important in keeping your dog calm and submissive, both of which are essential to controlling his bladder. Play with your dog or take him for a vigorous walk before putting him in his crate so he can expel his excess energy. This will help him be in a relaxed state of mind and body when entering his crate.
Keep your dog on a regular bathroom schedule. If you notice that your dog soils his crate two hours after you put him in it, then the next time he goes in, take him out for a bathroom break after an hour and 45 minutes. As your dog ages, he will gain better control over his bladder so his bathroom breaks won't be as frequent.
Give your dog chew toys in his crate. This will help give him something to concentrate on instead of him focusing on being in a crate. This will also help him use up any energy if he still has some left after his walk.
Tips
Placing a dish of food in your dog's crate can be helpful, as dog's tend not to go to the bathroom near their food, but if doing so, be sure to take him out for a bathroom break after he eats.
Young pups will have to go to the bathroom more frequently than older dogs.
Warnings
Never punish your dog after he goes to the bathroom in his crate.
If your dog frequently soils his crate even after using these tips, you should take him to the veterinarian to have him checked for a bladder infection.
Warnings
Never punish your dog after he goes to the bathroom in his crate.
If your dog frequently soils his crate even after using these tips, you should take him to the veterinarian to have him checked for a bladder infection.
Tips
Placing a dish of food in your dog's crate can be helpful, as dog's tend not to go to the bathroom near their food, but if doing so, be sure to take him out for a bathroom break after he eats.
Young pups will have to go to the bathroom more frequently than older dogs.
Items You Will Need
- Crate
- Blanket
- Chew toys
- Leash
References
Tips
- Placing a dish of food in your dog's crate can be helpful, as dog's tend not to go to the bathroom near their food, but if doing so, be sure to take him out for a bathroom break after he eats.
- Young pups will have to go to the bathroom more frequently than older dogs.
Warnings
- Never punish your dog after he goes to the bathroom in his crate.
- If your dog frequently soils his crate even after using these tips, you should take him to the veterinarian to have him checked for a bladder infection.
Writer Bio
Based in Atco, NJ, Dave Donovan has been a full-time writer for over five years. His articles are featured on hundreds of websites, and have landed him in two nationally published books "If I Had a Hammer: More Than 100 Easy Fixes and Weekend Projects" by Andrea Ridout and "How to Cheat at Home Repair" by Jeff Brendenberg.