posted 11-18-2003 03:56 PM         

quote:

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When I got home for lunch today, he had messed in his crate! He was walked at 8:30 this morning, and I got home for lunch at 12:30 this afternoon, and he had messed. He even eliminated during his morning walk.

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posted 11-18-2003 04:14 PM         

Anyhow, don't get discouraged too early on! Yes you have had him for a month now, but give it some more time. As we all well know, habits are difficult to get rid of, and the same is true for dogs. It requires a lot of patience and time on your part.

As far as the housebreaking goes:
1) How big is the crate that you are using? If it is too big then the dog will just mess on one side and sleep on the other. The crate should be appropriate for the size of the dog; which in your case is a small-sized crate. Also, what do you put in the dogs crate (i.e. a blanket, etc.). Reason why I ask is because dogs will instinctly find the most absorbent place to eliminate on. To illustrate, if a dog has a choice between tile and carpet to eliminate on, the chances are likely that he/she will go for the carpet. So, you may want to try not putting any absorbant material in the crate until he can be trusted.
2) Do you take him out RIGHT BEFORE you leave?
3) Have you checked to see that he does not have any urinary type infections, as these can cause a dog to lose the ability to hold it in.
4) Do keep in mind that smaller dogs are harder to housebreak, and often times take awhile to get it down pat. Some dogs even take up to a year to fully housebreak!
5) Maybe the 4 hours is just a little too long for him to be able to hold it in at his age. My two shih-poos, both 5 months old, can hold it in for about three hours (and if I am lucky four, but that is risking it). Our vet said that it does take smaller dogs more time to be able to hold it in for longer periods of time compared to larger dogs.
6) One more thing, be sure to clean up where the dog eliminated with a good quality deodorizer. This is because the scent will attract the dog to eliminate again in the same area where he did before.