posted 02-28-2004 08:07 PM         

I think the crate may possibly be too large. If she is pooping in the crate and still has enough room to lay in a corner away from the poop then it is too big. You should take her outside before and immediatly after she is taken out of her crate.

posted 02-28-2004 09:14 PM         

Everybody has their own opinion on crate usage, and here is mine:

I don't think they are bad (if used properly), but I just don't like confining a dog into such a small cramped space.

I rarely crated my two pups. I put them in their crate once in a while for short periods of time just so they would become accustomed to it in case they ever needed to be put in one. Whenever I left, I would leave them in the kitchen (which was gated off from the rest of the house) and left their cage, with the door open, so they could go in if they wanted to. They VERY RARELY had accidents when I left them in the kitchen, and they were both housebroken very quickly. So, just for the record, you don't need to use a crate in order to housebreak your pup!

In my honest opinion, I think puppy proofing a laundry room or kitchen and leaving a pup in there while you are gone is a much nicer option. Obviously you would want to leave the crate in the room so they can go in it if they so desire. (Laundry rooms and kitchens are ideal b/c most are tiled and therefore accidents are easy to clean up)

As far as barking is concerned, dogs actually find barking to be enjoyable and that is why most dogs bark. If you are bothered by your dogs' barking, the best suggestion I can give you is to COMPLETELY ignore her. Going up to a dog and telling him/her to be quiet or yelling at him/her is actually reinforcing the behavior. There really isn't a miracle solution for it.

Hope things get better for ya'!