Why is my dog Nala pooping in her cage?! Help!

[DreamDelta]

She is technically still a puppy! Just because she is a large breed and "looks" full grown does not mean that mentally she is mature.

Large breeds are not close to mature until 2 years of age.

Her crate should be a place of sanctuary. Not a place of punishment. Make sure you have taught her that.

When you leave, NEVER make a big deal. Do not say goodbye. Do not make a big deal when you return. Take her out of the crate immediately and take her outside to potty. Praise, praise, praise when she goes.

I've never used her crate as place of punishment. She is only in there when we leave or if we leave the crate door open and basement door open and she decides to sit in there voluntarily.

 

[DreamDelta]

whoa Angela I can hardly read your posts..did you change the color of the print or is it me??

Anyway, we've crossed paths before (re_ Dyson vaccuum remember) For Nala I totally agree...the divider going back in the crate MUST, we have a doxie that will do this if he has too much room (like when I stupidly put him in a pointer size crate) and feeding in the crate good too....best of luck with your baby, she'll get it..just patience Ruthie

Sorry Ruthie! I do change the colors of my posts! The one that you couldn't see was way too light!

 

[DreamDelta]

Even with walking, you need to make sure that Nala is doing her business while on her walk. If by the end of the walk, she hasn't gone and you know it's been awhile since she last did go, you need to stay out there, if you are going to be putting her into the kennel/cage and leaving for several hours.

Also, when we are going to be leaving the house not long after getting up for the day, we don't let the dogs have that much to eat before they are put into the kennel/cage. Just enough so that they aren't sitting for hours having not eaten.

With our older dog, she has seperation anxiety, which would cause her to go pee in the kennel, if we were gone too long. Between the going, the slobber and drool, and chewing on herself, she was a mess. For us, it was a matter of not using a kennel when we were gone. She is confined to our bedroom, she is gated in so that she can see out into the rest of the house, and she is perfectly content. She can smell our scents and we leave a radio on for company. Since switching over, she has not had a single accident, nor does she look a mess from the chewing and slobbering.

We don't bring Nala back into the house after a walk unless she's done her business.

I don't think Nala is ready to be left alone in the house, even if I confine her to the kitchen and is gated in. She's still too much of a eater/chewer, meaning that she still eats any and everything that's not food! I'm afraid when I come home she will have eaten my baseboards and wooden door frames (which she's already done before!)

 

[Luvchefmic]

Sorry Ruthie! I do change the colors of my posts! The one that you couldn't see was way too light!

just remember there are some of us "older" folks here that don't need an eye exam at the moment

my dogs (if you recall 8 of them) are trained from the time they joined our pack that the crate is their happy/safe place...no one is ever left to roam when we're not home. It's their "den/cave" so I wouldn't change that even when Nala is older. When I have to leave I just say "kennels" & they go there. I also use the "go potty" signals with them until they pretty much can go on demand, it will work out your pup is still a baby in my eyes

 

[DreamDelta]

And make sure that when there are things like fireworks or thunderstorms that the door of her crate is open so that she can go in if she wants. NEVER, NEVER pet her to "calm her" during these things.....that only re-inforces her fear. You THINK you are comforting her but you are actually creating an issue.

When there is something "stressful" going on, instead of comforting her, take the time to have a training session. This teaches her that no matter what is going on outside, life is normal. You are acting normal therefore she should act normal too. This also diverts her attention and makes her focus on pleasing you!

Thanks for all of the great advice!

 

[DreamDelta]

just remember there are some of us "older" folks here that don't need an eye exam at the moment

my dogs (if you recall 8 of them) are trained from the time they joined our pack that the crate is their happy/safe place...no one is ever left to roam when we're not home. It's their "den/cave" so I wouldn't change that even when Nala is older. When I have to leave I just say "kennels" & they go there. I also use the "go potty" signals with them until they pretty much can go on demand, it will work out your pup is still a baby in my eyes

I tell Nala "Go home." when it's time for her to go in her kennel. And she goes in on command, but how in the world do you get your dogs to do their business on command?! That's something that I would love to teach Nala to do!

BTW, I'll remember to use darker colors for you "older" folks!

 

[Luvchefmic]

I tell Nala "Go home." when it's time for her to go in her kennel. And she goes in on command, but how in the world do you get your dogs to do their business on command?! That's something that I would love to teach Nala to do!

BTW, I'll remember to use darker colors for you "older" folks!

Perfect with the crate training...okay here's what I have done from the start (our oldest is 11 years old and the youngest will be 4 3 of them are 6 yrs old so I had 3 puppies here at once..I survived) its really simple..word association, they pee its a celebration Good Girl/Boy go pee they go "potty" another celebration yeah Good Girl/Boy go potty until eventually they "get it" say go ...they march outside & go.... if I had to wait for 8 dogs to take their sweet time I would never be able to leave the house

here's 7 of them Remember calm assertive if I wasn't the true pack leader they would run me ragged they outnumber me!

 

[MichelleVW]

I tell Nala "Go home." when it's time for her to go in her kennel. And she goes in on command, but how in the world do you get your dogs to do their business on command?! That's something that I would love to teach Nala to do!

BTW, I'll remember to use darker colors for you "older" folks!

Honestly it's pretty easy to teach them a "potty command" Mine don't poop on command, but when potty training them when they were young we just said, "go potty" over and over, so now they know what it means. My dogs go in and out all day long and I don't give them the command, but right before we go to bed I let them out one last time and tell them "go potty" and they all do!

 

[disneyfans95]

Honestly it's pretty easy to teach them a "potty command" Mine don't poop on command, but when potty training them when they were young we just said, "go potty" over and over, so now they know what it means. My dogs go in and out all day long and I don't give them the command, but right before we go to bed I let them out one last time and tell them "go potty" and they all do!

Same thing. We just got a 4 month old chocolate lab in April. We had him house broken and out of the chewing issue (ie only using his bones, toys etc, not the furniture) in a month.

It is about being alpha dog, praise and steady use of the commands. We did the same with our sheltie.

 

[LindaR]

Going potty on command is one of THE most useful things taught!!! I am sure there are others ways but here is what I did.

When outside, I did not play or talk to my dog (did this for three dogs at different times) other than to say "Potty" (or whatever term you choose to use......everyone must always use the same term). I would say the word again right as she went potty. And then praise and praise! Play time and potty time need to be kept seperate til trained!

This is pretty easy because you have a breed that really REALLY want to please her person. If she knows how happy you are with her when she potties outside then she will want to do it when you tell her to.

This is very handy when I need to go somewhere or a storm is approaching (we can go empty bladders since we will HAVE to be inside for a while!).

 

[LindaR]

And since my dogs are both seniors now a very consistent routine is even more important than it used to be! They poop twice a day (unless someone is not feeling well). Morning and night. "Potty" is for going pee....."potty more" is for going poop!

I had a german shepherd (she has passed), have a toy poodle and a big mutt guy (aussie mix). All potty when I tell them to cause they want that loving and petting and praise!

 

[DreamDelta]

Honestly it's pretty easy to teach them a "potty command" Mine don't poop on command, but when potty training them when they were young we just said, "go potty" over and over, so now they know what it means. My dogs go in and out all day long and I don't give them the command, but right before we go to bed I let them out one last time and tell them "go potty" and they all do!

I wish that I could let Nala out alone. She loves to eat the grass/weeds in our yard and after she eats the grass/weeds she vomits! So I have to watch her like a hawk when we go out.

 

[DreamDelta]

Same thing. We just got a 4 month old chocolate lab in April. We had him house broken and out of the chewing issue (ie only using his bones, toys etc, not the furniture) in a month.

It is about being alpha dog, praise and steady use of the commands. We did the same with our sheltie.

Nala is quite obedient, she knows that I'm the alpha "dog". She's still chewing things that she shouldn't. She has plenty of chew toys, I just don't know if they're the right ones or she's bored with the ones that she has...

 

[DreamDelta]

And since my dogs are both seniors now a very consistent routine is even more important than it used to be! They poop twice a day (unless someone is not feeling well). Morning and night. "Potty" is for going pee....."potty more" is for going poop!

I had a german shepherd (she has passed), have a toy poodle and a big mutt guy (aussie mix). All potty when I tell them to cause they want that loving and petting and praise!

I did the "poop-praise" in the beginning of training her. I guess it's just something that I'll have to start doing again.

 

[Luvchefmic]

I did the "poop-praise" in the beginning of training her. I guess it's just something that I'll have to start doing again.

That's right Mom back to basics as far as the grass/weed eating mine all did that too.the oldest one (11 y/o Fantasia) will do it occassionally..I think it soothes their stomach not sure that's what I've heard in my lifetime..I so would like to see a picture of Nala...feel like she's a cousin by now You have a beautiful family by the way (avatar)

 

[LindaR]

Oh, OP I totally cannot let my toy poodle out in the yard alone! She must be on a leash at all times outside. I learned the hard way........she will find ANYTHING gross (dead bug, worm, cat poop, etc) and roll in it before I can do anything!!! (My spine is fused so bending to snatch her up is not easily done!)

I wanted a pretty, prissy, feminine little dog.......and I got a nasty tomboy instead!

Anyway, training is a lifelong endeavor. Gotta continue to do it forever....and ever......and then REDO it!

Sounds like you already have a good girl who just needs a little reminding of "proper etiquitte!" and just because she is a "big girl" in size, she is still not grown up yet!

As for the chewing.....I keep some toys on top of the desk where my pups can't reach. When they act like they are bored, I swap them out and they treat them like they are new! When your girl is caught chewing on something she is not supposed to, simply tell her "no" and then hand her one of her toys.

 

[DreamDelta]

That's right Mom back to basics as far as the grass/weed eating mine all did that too.the oldest one (11 y/o Fantasia) will do it occassionally..I think it soothes their stomach not sure that's what I've heard in my lifetime..I so would like to see a picture of Nala...feel like she's a cousin by now You have a beautiful family by the way (avatar)

Thanks Ruthie! Here's a pic of "cousin" Nala when she was a baby.

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I'll show a more recent pic too.

 

[DreamDelta]

That's right Mom back to basics as far as the grass/weed eating mine all did that too.the oldest one (11 y/o Fantasia) will do it occassionally..I think it soothes their stomach not sure that's what I've heard in my lifetime..I so would like to see a picture of Nala...feel like she's a cousin by now You have a beautiful family by the way (avatar)

Here's Nala on her first birthday! She had come from the groomer. She looked so adorable with her two red bows on her ears until she decided to eat one of them!

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I can never take a picture of Nala without the glowing eyes!

 

[Luvchefmic]

Thanks Ruthie! Here's a pic of "cousin" Nala when she was a baby.

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I'll show a more recent pic too.

Here's Nala on her first birthday! She had come from the groomer. She looked so adorable with her two red bows on her ears until she decided to eat one of them!

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I can never take a picture of Nala without the glowing eyes!

Angela,
Cousin Nala is beautiful ! How fast they grow !

I kept doing that with taking pictures too some look absolutely evil I wouldn't even show you , it would cause nightmares. Just like anything else it took a lot of practice..you should come on over to the photography board (photographing pets something like that I can PM you the link later if interested Made some good friends there & can usually count on a few laughs from the pictures

Keep us updated with your baby we're all here to help

Ruthie

 

[Pluto 2]

if you got to go you got to go