Potty/crate training dog issues

[steph96]

We have a yorkie that is 4-5 years old. When we leave during the day, we used to let him stay in the bedroom. He pees all over the floor even if we let him out right before we leave and even if we only leave for 10 minutes.

We bought him a crate to stay in when we leave (and to hopefully help with potty training issues). He hates being in there. He hates if you leaving period. I think the crate just adds to the anxiety. We can home the other day and found that he bent the wire and somehow squeezed out of the hole.

We tried buying him a boy doggy diaper wrap thing that you put a pad in. He soaked thru it. Then he laid on the furniture with a pee soaked leaky diaper.

I don't know what to do. He is ruining our laminate wood floors. We are looking to buy a new house and I really don't want him to pee all over the place like he did here. I'm tired of smelling pee.

[caz1221]

It sounds like he may have separation anxiety. I would buy the (short) book "I'll Be Home Soon" and potentially consult with a behaviorist (not a trainer) to help you work with him. One of the things that is often suggested is making your departures and returns completely boring. If you get excited when you return, it only feeds into the pup's anxiety when you're gone, so it's best to completely ignore him until he is totally calm. Practice leaving for 5 seconds, 10 seconds, 30 seconds, etc. so that it becomes totally normal and not a big deal.

Crate training can be very helpful, but you have to properly introduce the dog to the crate and make it a safe, happy place. There is some info in the FAQs about that. Also, make sure your dog is getting enough exercise and mental stimulation so that he's more likely to nap/rest when you're gone. You can also give him a super-special treat that he only gets when he's in his crate and you're gone (stuffed, frozen Kongs are the go-to in my house).

As for the accidents, make sure you are cleaning them up with an enzymatic cleaner like Nature's Miracle. If you are not, your dog can smell that he has peed there before and will likely do it again. An enzymatic cleaner will fully break down the biological material (pee, poo, vomit, whatever) so that even the dog can't smell it anymore. Just make sure you read the directions because you usually have to let the cleaner soak in for some period of time before wiping it up.

[steph96]

I know most people don't think it is a good idea, but when I crate my dogs together, he is fine. He won't make a peep. I noticed that his sister has started being grumpy after being crated together, so I quit doing that.

If I give him any sort of special treat, he won't touch it. If it is small enough, he usually ends up throwing it out of the crate. I think he tries to give it to his sister. LOL

[kellbell191]

My dog had these issues for a long time and they were half separation anxiety, half a medical issue (he has an abnormally small bladder per the vet).

Can you babygate them in an easy to clean area and try a DAP collar with him? This has wound up being what helps us reduce accidents the most. I'd prefer Darwin be crate trained but he would prefer that he not, otherwise he hurts himself in the crate, so this is our compromise.

[steph96]

I have never heard of a DAP collar. I might have to look into that!

Last night we tried putting "mommy pads" (AKA my pads) in his diaper. It actually worked! We may have found something that helps his peeing issues.

His thunder shirt helps his anxiety a lot, but I don't want him to get too warm if I leave it on him all day.