We’ve got a 12-week-old bernedoodle named Astra, and we’re working on potty and crate training him. He’s doing pretty well overall—poops outside and sleeps through the night in his crate—but he sometimes pees in the crate or on his other bed. Once that happens, he doesn’t want to go back in the crate, even with treats. The crate is a little big for him (could use a divider), and we clean it every time there’s an accident. Any advice on how to stop the crate peeing and make the crate a happy place again?
Have you tried using a crate divider? It could help shrink the space so he doesn’t pee in one corner and sleep in another.
Linda said:
Have you tried using a crate divider? It could help shrink the space so he doesn’t pee in one corner and sleep in another.
We haven’t, but that sounds like a great idea. Any suggestions on where to get one?
@LyamGenesis
Amazon has some good options, or you can DIY one with a piece of cardboard or a wooden panel.
Does he have a bed in the crate? Sometimes removing the bed helps because they’re less likely to pee on the crate floor.
CateBlanchet said:
Does he have a bed in the crate? Sometimes removing the bed helps because they’re less likely to pee on the crate floor.
Yes, he has a bed in there. If we take it out, won’t it be uncomfortable for him?
@LyamGenesis
Puppies usually don’t mind the crate floor, especially if it helps stop the accidents. You can try it and see how he does.
How often are you taking him outside? At 12 weeks, he might need more frequent potty breaks, like every 3 hours.
puppyt said:
How often are you taking him outside? At 12 weeks, he might need more frequent potty breaks, like every 3 hours.
We try to take him out 6-7 times a day, but maybe that’s not enough. Should we set an alarm at night too?
@LyamGenesis
You could try for a few days, but at 12 weeks, he might be able to hold it overnight if you cut off water a few hours before bedtime.
What kind of treats are you using to encourage him to go outside? High-value ones might make a big difference!
Gerald said:
What kind of treats are you using to encourage him to go outside? High-value ones might make a big difference!
We use regular dog treats, but we could try something fancier. Any recommendations?
Do you think he might be stressed? Maybe a fan or some white noise near the crate could help him feel more relaxed.
Rhaenyra said:
Do you think he might be stressed? Maybe a fan or some white noise near the crate could help him feel more relaxed.
That’s a good point. We already use white noise, but we might try a fan too. Thanks for the tip!
@LyamGenesis
You’re welcome! Stress can definitely play a role, so anything calming is worth a shot.