Wow, that is a VERY small dog. But, even though he's small he's still a male with hormones. :) Squating to pee technically doesn't count as territorial marking, lifting his leg to pee on something in particular (a tree, a book, whatever) is territorial marking. If he doesn't seem to have any control over where he pees, he might having some kind of bladder or urinary tract infection. But, from what I hear most dogs start getting "iffy" with their bathroom habits around 6 months.
With the crate-training, maybe start from the beginning again. Put some of your old clothes in there so he can smell you (assuming he usually seeks you out for companionship). Start putting him in there for short periods of time. Even if he is only quiet for a few minutes, take him out before he starts whining and praise him. Start extending his time in the crate. Always lead him in with food, make him think crate = food. Kongs are especially great because you can freeze yogurt, beef broth, or cream cheese in there and the pups love it. If he soils the crate at all, clean it extensively. Dogs do not like to sit in their smell, they usually purposely keep their crate clean. So really really scrub it and put any of his excretement on his puppy pad. Hopefully that will remind him to use the puppy pad.
You're right.. he's tiny- but a boy, nonetheless. haha. =)
He's definitely my little companion. =) We're probably together too much, if anything- I'm afraid I'm causing him to be anxious when I put him in his cage because he *hates* being away from me (even when other people hold him, although he's improving). I've raised him to typically be with me when I'm at home or at my boyfriend's (or even in his bag when I go on short errands in the car). Do you think this could be a possibility for the whining and maybe even the accidents in the crate? Maybe he's just being defiant as a protest? And if that's the case, should I try to spend less time with him?
I'll have to retry the crate training, as frustrating as it is. He was so easy to train the first time, maybe he's making up for it now. lol. I'll go to Petsmart tomorrow and get one of those little baby-size Kongs.
Oh ok, I *think* understand now. I'd say this might be the start of mild separation anxeity. Dogs don't tend to think in defient ways but I'm willing to bet that he's figured out that soiling his crate can result in attention (good or bad attention doesn't matter to him, it's attention). How old was he when you got him?
haha, you're not rambling at all- you've been so helpful, I really appreciate it. He might have a slight case of separation anxiety, and perhaps the craziness of the holidays could have stressed him out a little more. The past week or I've been gone a few more hours a day than typically (Christmas shopping, parties, etc.), and this potty mess could just be a temporary regression to get my attention (positive or negative, as you said). Thanks for the links & the Target tip. =)
With the crate-training, maybe start from the beginning again. Put some of your old clothes in there so he can smell you (assuming he usually seeks you out for companionship). Start putting him in there for short periods of time. Even if he is only quiet for a few minutes, take him out before he starts whining and praise him. Start extending his time in the crate. Always lead him in with food, make him think crate = food. Kongs are especially great because you can freeze yogurt, beef broth, or cream cheese in there and the pups love it. If he soils the crate at all, clean it extensively. Dogs do not like to sit in their smell, they usually purposely keep their crate clean. So really really scrub it and put any of his excretement on his puppy pad. Hopefully that will remind him to use the puppy pad.
Reply
He's definitely my little companion. =) We're probably together too much, if anything- I'm afraid I'm causing him to be anxious when I put him in his cage because he *hates* being away from me (even when other people hold him, although he's improving). I've raised him to typically be with me when I'm at home or at my boyfriend's (or even in his bag when I go on short errands in the car). Do you think this could be a possibility for the whining and maybe even the accidents in the crate? Maybe he's just being defiant as a protest? And if that's the case, should I try to spend less time with him?
I'll have to retry the crate training, as frustrating as it is. He was so easy to train the first time, maybe he's making up for it now. lol. I'll go to Petsmart tomorrow and get one of those little baby-size Kongs.
Reply
Here's a teeny bit of info:http://www.sfspca.org/behavior/dog_library/sep_anxiety.pdf
Reply
http://www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/CCAH/Update05-2/5-2_HealthTip-SepAnx.html
Also, just to be safe I'd bring him to the vet and get a regular check-up. Any change in behavior can be indicative of a medical problem.
Reply
I hope all my rambling is helping a little bit! lol
Reply
Thanks for the links & the Target tip. =)
Reply
Leave a comment