Peeing in crate

I am the proud owner of 2 pug puppies, now almost 10 weeks old. I've had them for 3 weeks. One puppie keeps peeing in the crate. He's never in there for more than 4 hours and I'm pretty sure he hates it. Despite the usual trick, treats in the crate, no towel until he earns it b/c he kept peeing on it, etc. he won't go in the crate without some help. I hate forcing him and his brother will go in no problem, but I just sense he's peeing in there as a form of acting out and I don't know how to stop it. At present they are in the same small crate (just enough room, no extra to escape anything), but now I think they are old enough to separate. When I introduced the new guy to the new crate, just for a few minutes yesterday to sniff things out he just ran in it and peed, just like in his crate now. What is going on? All the books say this shouldn't happen. Please help.

 

You have to be aware of the fact that because two dogs are of the same breed and age their bladder capacity is not necessarily the same.
You likely lost it by waiting too long the first time it went in the crate.
I believe it now sees the crate as a urinal.

You might try a new way of confinement like a cardboard box with high sides and maybe some way of making a small opening it can see out of.
First put it in there after a period of tiring play and reward for some type of positive behaviour.
Make sure you then take him out well before he has to go for an opportunity to do it outside the box.

Let us know how you make out.

 

I think you should think about how much time you spend with the praise and making sure that they potty in the right place when you take them out on a leash to potty. 4 hours is a long time for a 2.5 month old dog to stay inside. The rule of thumb is that a dog can stay in away from having a place to urinate one hour for each month of age.

It is unusual for an animal to foul its sleeping quarters. Have the pups been checked by the vet for problems?

 

Yes, they have been to the vet and they are fine. However, of the 10 books I've read on Pugs, puppy training, etc. they all say that a 10 week old puppy should be able to hold it for 4-5 hours. As did some trainers I spoke with. Also, what is the justification for separating them. should they be separate? Is one teaching the other it's okay to pee in the crate? They only do it every 3 days it seems, but nevertheless.

 

Yes, it is unusual for a dog to urinate in it's sleeping quarters..but if they have no alternative, they will do it.
4 hours is too long for a pup to be in a crate without being let outside to relieve itself.
Start on a weekend, or when you have some time off work so that you can stay home and watch the pup. Take him out and make sure he relieves himself, then put him in the crate. after a couple of hours, if that..take him outside again. Do this for the whole weekend if you can manage it. Having a puppy is a full time job when it comes to housebreaking. And until he is older he shouldn't be left in the crate for long periods of time without being let out.
When you take him outside, make sure to praise him when he does relieve himself. And if you can catch him trying to relieve himself in the crate (watch for signs, circling, excessive sniffing etc.) reprimand him and take him outside immediately. Don't forget, a puppy needs to relieve himself usually right after eating, sleeping and playing.

 

They are never in there for more than 4 hours. We take them out as much as possible, watch for signs, and had 6 days without a mistake. Until yesterday. One puppy peed in the crate sometime between 1pm and 5pm. They will be 12 weeks old on Monday. Please tell me it gets better. I realize it's a lot of work, but I do hope there is relief in sight.

 

Enabling the puppy to be successfull is important. It can get better, because bladder control improves with age. Ingrained habits are difficult to break.

 

All is going well with the one, but the other actually pooped in the crate after 6 good days. He's 12 weeks old now and he was only in there for 3.5 hours.

Also, as they are 12 weeks now, I'll be moving them over to 2 meals a day. They eat in small bowls with about 1/2 cup of dry food mixed with rice. If I go to 2 meals a day should I be increasing the food? How much? They are little pugs, so I don't want them to get too fat, but then again I want them to be well nourished. The rice is to keep their stool solid. Also, books say I should be moving to adult dog food now. True?

 

you might want to clean the cage to rid it of the urine smell so he doesn't smell it anymore. get something from the pet store. if you bought the dog at a pet store, that might contribute to your problem. they leave the dogs in there along time and let them to their business in there. NEVER use the cage as a punishment place. he won't want to go in. it should be comfortable. dogs recognize cages as a den and as a safe place as they are naturally denning animals. yoiu might also consider have a cage for each dog.

 

They each have their own crate, of adequate size. For one puppy there was no peeing in the crate for weeks now, for the other months. Only in there 6 hours at night and went in the crate last night. I want to hear that this is okay, that there will be a few isolated incidents along the road to housetraining, that it's okay I need to be patient, they'll get there.

They have the l"ooking at me" thing when they need to go outside down pat...and always go outside. But these sporadic relapses make me feel that all of our work is crap. I need words of wisdom, of comfort.

 

This, too, will pass. Eventually, they will grow up.

I had the same problem with accidents with a 3 year old Aussie from rescue. Once a week, she would have an accident. It became less and less frequent and ended after three or four months. She is 7 now.

Be persistent. Be patient.

 

Thank you so much Chris. That is what I needed to hear. Thank you. I will do my best to be patient. I'm working very hard with my puppies, and will keep trying. Thank you.