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macfantn · Oct 18, 2006, 07:31 PM

okay so i have a 1.5 yr old boston terrier adopted here 2.5 months ago, after adjusting she went all day without peeing in her crate. recently she started peeing in her crate again. I took her to the vet, she had a bladder infection which I thought could be the case, it's been ten days now, she has finished all her antibiotics and still pees in the crate. I am going to take her back to the vet this Sat. Is it possible the antibiotics didn't cure the infection?

Also before all this happened shes enjoyed her crate and was happy to go in, since all this has gone on she doesn't like the crate and won't even take a treat when I put her in there. She turns her head away from me like she is mad. I don't trust her enough at this point to keep her out of the crate. Any input is greatly appreciated. thanks.

BlueSky · Oct 19, 2006, 10:02 AM

If I was kept in a crate, peeing would be the least of my reactions. In any case, the dog now associates the crate with a toilet, why would he want to stay in there.

Dork. · Oct 19, 2006, 10:23 AM

Some dogs don't like crates, but a dog doesn't just go from being crate trained to hating his crate overnight. Dogs actually like the security that comes from close quarters, it's more like a den that they would have in the wild.

One thing that might be a problem: dogs hate to soil their dens. A properly crate-trained dog will not soil his crate unless he's unwell (or unless the crate is too big for him). But dogs also hate it when their crate smells like pee, and remember that their nose is more sensitive than yours. I would get a good enzyme-based cleaner and make sure his crate is good and clean. If there was any bedding in the crate, you might want to get rid if it if it's not totally clean.

Every dog (and especially crate-trained dogs) need regular exercise, and if this is just a temporary reaction to the smell of her crate then getting her more exercise may help her cope better after you clean it.

bstone · Oct 19, 2006, 10:39 AM

This summer at a camping trip I was at for a month (yes, a month camping in a tent in the woods) my friend's wolf-dog (80% wolf) kept going into my tent and hanging out. She wouldn't leave when I asked her to but at least she accepted me as a presence there. Other people she would growl at when they came close and this thing is BIG and can be downright nasty when she wants to be. Anyhow, she kept going to my tent and it became a problem. She is a denning animal and really wants the close quarters. It ended when my friend (the wolf-dog's owner) got her a "kid's tent" which was the size for a toddler perhaps and set it up for her. She went into it and didn't come out for days it seemed like.

I dont think she urinated in it, tho.

Millennium · Oct 19, 2006, 10:42 AM

Clean the crate very thoroughly, and pay particular attention to deodorizing it. If the dog can still smell urine in the crate, then it will think it's an acceptable place to urinate. Many pet stores will sell deodorizing cleaners that are safe to use.

Millennium · Oct 19, 2006, 10:46 AM

Another question: you mentioned not trusting the dog to keep it outside the crate. Does this mean you're leaving it in the crate all the time?

mitchell_pgh · Oct 19, 2006, 10:54 AM

I crate my dog, and she doesn't seem to mind at all.

In fact, sometimes she jumps in just to sleep.

Rumor · Oct 19, 2006, 11:00 AM

Rumor · Oct 19, 2006, 11:01 AM

Since she didn't have control over her bladder and went inside he crate, it smells horrid to her. You might want to consider buying a new crate. At the least, you should have been cleaning it daily and thouroughly (sp?).

macfantn · Oct 19, 2006, 11:02 AM

well I meant I don't trust her enough to leave her out of the crate when not home. I am taking her to the vet this Sat. hope they can shed some light, could still be a bladder infection.

subego · Oct 20, 2006, 01:46 AM

Originally Posted by macfantn

well I meant I don't trust her enough to leave her out of the crate when not home. I am taking her to the vet this Sat. hope they can shed some light, could still be a bladder infection.

Do you have some form of padding in there?

Lots of dogs like to pee on soft things. It might seem mean to not have something soft in there, but I don't think I've ever seen a dog that won't (at least at times) intentionally lie down on a hard surface.

James L · Oct 20, 2006, 01:58 AM

You are on the right track with crate training... definitely the safest way to raise and train your dog.

Ironically, I have always found it to be the best way to potty train them too... waaaaaay better than putting down newspapers on the floor.

The things that have always held true though for me, when using a crate to help train your dog, are (and I am just repeating the excellent advise given above):

1) the crate should only be big enough for your dog to sleep in, and absolutely no bigger. If it is bigger than that, the dog can "subdivide" the crate, into a sleeping area, bathroom area, etc. Dogs are usually so adverse to soiling their sleeping area they won't do it.

2) If an accident does happen, you need an incredibly thorough cleaning, and deodorizing. Remember that the scents the dog smells you never will, so regular soap and water doesn't cut it. Make sure you get a professional pet deodorizer.

3) Always tie the crate to happy feelings. Never put the dog in the crate for punishment, and always treat the dog when it goes into the crate.

4) Try to return to your earlier potty habits. Straight out to pee after coming out of the crate. Always pee before going into the crate, etc. Dogs are very habitual.

I apologize if you already know all these. Kudos to you for being a responsible pet owner.

Cheers,

James L

mitchell_pgh · Oct 20, 2006, 08:29 AM

Originally Posted by James L

You are on the right track with crate training... definitely the safest way to raise and train your dog.

Ironically, I have always found it to be the best way to potty train them too... waaaaaay better than putting down newspapers on the floor.

The things that have always held true though for me, when using a crate to help train your dog, are (and I am just repeating the excellent advise given above):

1) the crate should only be big enough for your dog to sleep in, and absolutely no bigger. If it is bigger than that, the dog can "subdivide" the crate, into a sleeping area, bathroom area, etc. Dogs are usually so adverse to soiling their sleeping area they won't do it.

2) If an accident does happen, you need an incredibly thorough cleaning, and deodorizing. Remember that the scents the dog smells you never will, so regular soap and water doesn't cut it. Make sure you get a professional pet deodorizer.

3) Always tie the crate to happy feelings. Never put the dog in the crate for punishment, and always treat the dog when it goes into the crate.

4) Try to return to your earlier potty habits. Straight out to pee after coming out of the crate. Always pee before going into the crate, etc. Dogs are very habitual.

I apologize if you already know all these. Kudos to you for being a responsible pet owner.

Cheers,

James L

All those are perfect... one thing I did was train the dog in a little crate, but after a while, we purchased a bigger crate and we've noticed that she doesn't go to the bathroom in it.

We cleaned the crate extensively after she went to the bathroom in it while training.