Newbie: help with crate training!

Val8310

Hi there, I am new to this board and read through several potty training posts and didn't see anything similar so hoping to seek your help!

 

We have a 4 month old shih tzu who has been wonderful with training.  We have bell trained him and has no accidents when he is out with us.  He is also in a crate at night or when we aren't home during the day.  The problem we are having is that he will hold himself all night and not pee in his crate, but when he is in his crate during the day while we are at work (which is around 4-6 hours) he will pee, I am at a loss.  His crate is as small as we can get it, we have tried putting food in there, taking away water for an hour before, and leaving his cage empty.  He goes to the vet on Monday so I will ask him as well, just thought I would ask here first as Monday is a long way away and Henry hates baths

 TIA! 

SparrowGreen

Are you cleaning up his accidents with an enzymatic cleaner like natures miracle? If not, he may still be able to smell where he's gone and think its ok. Also, is his crate too large and is he crated with any blankets or other soft things? I would remove those if so because they can also encourage accidents. HTH :-)

SparrowGreen

Sorry - I realized you already addressed some of the things I mentioned. Posting from my phone so it's hard to refer back to the OP.

Val8310

I haven't tried an enzymatic cleaner yet, but he doesn't go at night so that is what is frustrating!

RedheadBaker

We have a link to our board FAQs in the green header box on the main page -- there are links to crate training advice in there! 

Kathryne108

Make sure to walk right before crating, even if went potty 30 min before. If 4 months old, 4 hours during day should be max time without potty breaks, at 5 months 5 hours, etc. At night, the dog is sleeping and can hold much longer but during day he will need to relieve himself more often. 

LuckyAngel07

Kathryne108:

Make sure to walk right before crating, even if went potty 30 min before. If 4 months old, 4 hours during day should be max time without potty breaks, at 5 months 5 hours, etc. At night, the dog is sleeping and can hold much longer but during day he will need to relieve himself more often. 

Ditto this exactly. Think about when you're asleep; you don't get up every so often to pee at night like you would during the day. Your 4-month-old pup is the same way. When he's sleeping, his body is "dormant" and he doesn't need to pee as often as during the day, when he's more awake/active, even in his crate. You should not expect him to hold it more than his age in months, so right now, no more than 4 hours. When our puppy was first home, we had someone coming by during the day when we were at work, twice a day, to make sure she got out every 2-3 hours MAX, then gradually increased that time as she got older.

See about someone coming to let out your pup during the day if you can't get home, and I think you'll find a nice dry crate! 

Val8310

We will try this.  My mom lives a few miles away and should be able to stop by to let him out and walk him.  Thanks everyone, I appreciate it!

straymo

I've found that daytime and nighttime ability to hold it is different.  The general rule of thumb is that a puppy can hold their bladder 1 hour for every month old give or take an hour.  So with leaving him 4-6 hours you are at the far end of "safe."  It is really just too long for him.  

I realize you say he holds it all night.  Some dogs are better nighttime sleepers and therefore don't need to pee overnight after a certain time. 

You are right to remove all bedding and clean with enzyme cleaner.  Also if you can, you might want to set up a camera and tape him and see what he does while you are gone.  If happens when you are gone and never when you are home, it could be a bit of separation anxiety.  Might help to know better what you are dealing with. 

Good luck