posted 03-04-2004 06:03 AM         

The crate should be just big enough to turn around and lie down in - no bigger. Perhaps your crate is too big (or was too big when the pup was smaller) and/or you didn't take the pup out often enough and she had no choice but to go in the crate.

Now you have a lot of work to do to fix this. Make sure the crate is small enough. Clean it well with Nature's Miracle or some other enzymatic odor neutralizer (as well as any other place she has had accidents).

Make sure she goes out after eating, playing, sleeping, drinking, and I would also take her out at least every couple of hours as well for now. Go out with her on leash. When she goes, tell her "Go potty!" (so she learns the words) and then praise her for going. Do this every time. If you take her to the same spot every time, it makes clean up easier.

Does she have accidents when she is OUT of the crate? You have to watch her constantly until she is reliable, so that she does not have a chance to make a mistake. If you catch her in the act, startle her to interrupt her and take her directly outside. If she makes a mess and you didn't catch her in the act, just clean it up - that was your fault.

How long is she in the crate? When are you feeding her and giving her water?

posted 03-04-2004 08:30 AM         

It sounds like she regards the crate as a bathroom. Have you cleaned it out after she has gone in it? What did you use to clean it with?

Is it possible to leave her out one day while you are gone and see what happens? Maybe if there is a room you can confine her to, like a laundry room or kitchen with linoleum?