Having some major crate issues- Please help!

[Star and Goldie]

Hello all- I am new to doodle kisses and was looking for some help.

So here's the dish: I have an 11 week old Goldendoodle. I brought her home 3 weeks ago. She is all kinds of amazing and is very smart- very easy to train and very easy to house break with one exception: SHE HATES HER CRATE! Not only does she hate her crate but the big issue I'm finding is that since she is so tiny she can actually slide UNDER the divider panel and go right into the big portion of the crate to pee and poop.  When she is outside of her crate she doesn't have accidents in the house and she actually already rings a bell to go out to potty but when she is in her crate she doesn't even whimper to let me know she needs to potty since she is so comfortable with peeing in her crate.  She seems to have no issue sitting around in it:(

I really have 2 separate questions:

1. How do I get her to get used to her crate?  When she is in there she will destroy anything in her sight. I've tried several recommended crate covers but she seems to be able to pull them in to the crate and rip them to shreds. Is there such thing as an indestructible crate cover? Anyone have a crate cover recommendation that worked for a pup that likes to destroy things out of anxiety?

2. Any advice on how to make the divider panel work for us? I locked the divider in with zip ties so she couldn't nudge it and move it up but then I actually saw her slide under it so pushing it out of place wasn't the issue. The panel doesn't go all the way down. I've tried to stuff towels, blankets, beds all kinds of stuff in there but she manages to push them through and goes right back under. If she is going to be in the crate while Im at work is that necessarily a bad thing? Should I just take the divider out and let her use the back for her accidents until she can hold it long enough? I'm worried about her hurting herself going back and forth. The bottom of the divider has hooks on it so it's not smooth by any means.

extra notes: I do have someone helping me out to let her out mid-day while I'm at work until she's older but they can only come over once during the day. I tried an xpen in the kitchen during the day but she is an escape artist and nothing keeps her contained.

[Adina P]

Hopefully not.  I was thinking more a 'stuff' storage box size (so it is tall) and you can fill it with something heavy that won't be easily destroyed if she should find a way to open it and will keep the box from flipping around much.  You might have to get creative on securing it...duct tape?  But who knows.  I'd hate to put stuff in there that she then chewed through, for her sake.  But seriously, maybe some bricks or pavers or something really heavy that will make that hole way smaller. Also consider keeping her collar off in her crate considering how easily she slips through things...so it doesn't get caught.

[Star and Goldie]

Oh yes now I can actually visualize your suggestion. I wonder if I can find one the right size but if I can that would be perfect! Instead of focusing on putting something under the gap I need to focus on filling the other side so that there isn't a space she can get to! Why didn't I think of that??

I do keep her collar off while in the crate now since I saw her slide under. It made me very nervous because if her collar would have slipped through one of those hooks she could have really gotten hurt trying to break free.

Excited to try your advice, I think the big tall box trick really might work!!!  :)

[Star and Goldie]

Good news... IT WORKED!!!! Bad news... she still peed in her crate so she was covered in pee. She did let me know at 2am she had to potty so I was thrilled to get up and take her out but then by 6:30 she had peed again without making a sound. But at least our end goal was achieved... she can no longer get to the big open space in the crate. We're half way there! Thanks for your help!!!

[Pam & Trixie]

I dont have suggestions about the crate or during the day.

At night with Trixie we actually set the alarm & let her out 2 times a night.. (like every 3 hrs we set it for) .Then went to once a night & then she was able to wait until dh got up around 5:30 for work.
It did mess up our sleep. (well dhs more- he let her out in the middle of the night ; o) But she never had an accident in her crate.
I think around 16 weeks was when she was able to sleep all night without accidents

[Star and Goldie]

A potty alarm! Perfect! I used one when potty training my daughter so I've already got one on hand. I think I'll start setting it through the night. Thanks for the tip!

[Pam & Trixie]

You're welcome. I hope it works.
My husband reminded me that she never had accidents...But she actually wasnt in her crate he said. We let her sleep loose in our room at about 9 weeks.

[Adina P]

So glad it worked! So sorry she still peed.

[Lori, Quincy & Frankie]

Glad you were able to find a solution to the oversized crate.  We get our 8 month old into the crate by just showing him his Kong and he goes flying in.  That's the only time we use a Kong, too, and the only time he gets cream cheese covered treats that he works at getting out.  We never used the crate when we were home, only at night at first and now only when we are  out of the house.  Now he sleeps either with us or mostly on the bathroom floor where I guess he likes the cold tile and stays in the crate for the work week.  We have a pet walker that runs him around mid day, then he gets a second Kong and I am told he does the same run for the crate when he sees it.  

Have you used a really good enzyme cleaner to get rid of the urine smell in the crate?  don't use ammonia based product.  

Hang in there, it all works out.  Course then there is usually a new issue, but it's all worth it!  

[Star and Goldie]

I do wash the crate with Simple Solution Advanced. Do you recommend a specific product? I was wondering if this was doing the trick or not. It says it's for cleaning carpets but its an enzyme cleaner so I hope it still works on hard surfaces.

I like the idea of only giving the kong in the crate like a special treat. I bought some Kong products so if I can get her warmed up to them I will definitely do that! Thanks for the tip!

I'm in the process of looking for a dog walker now to come mid day to let her out. Hopefully I can find one soon. I can't wait until she is fully housebroken because I'd love for her to sleep in my room and not have to be in her crate.

[Lori, Quincy & Frankie]

I used Nature's Miracle Urine Destroyer:  google it or try this link to PetSmart.  it's about 10-12 dollars, but worth it.  It works great on carpet and even for vomit. 

http://pet.imageg.net/graphics/product_images/pPETS-5761200dt.jpg

[Star and Goldie]

Awesome! I'll pick some of that up and keep it on hand!!