Peeing in crate...

[Tiffany Golden]

Hi all! I'm at a loss....our labradoodle pup, Kona, is almost 12 weeks now. We've been crate training her, which has been going great...EXCEPT.. she will still pee in it at night:( We've done all the things we should do....take her food and water away 2 hours before bedtime, take her potty right before bedtime, I set my alarm for every 3 hours to let her out, sized her crate appropriately, etc. It's really getting frustrating! Any words of advice is appreciated!

[Frank & TeddyToyDoodle]

First, are you giving her just enough space so that she can sleep but also deter her from soiling her area ?   She should NOT have 3-4x her size in crate space.  Is she sleeping in her waste ?

Second, are you using a potty bell ?  You should.....ring it/hit it EVERY time you take her out (for potty).  Teddy picked it up very nicely by 3-4 months, Kona can too !

[Deanna & Desi & Cori]

I think I'd be inclined to have the vet check for urinary tract issues. With both of our puppies, we set the alarm for a middle of the night potty trip, but after the first few nights it was no longer necessary. I'm not even close to being an expert, but I do think that by 12 weeks a healthy puppy should pretty much be sleeping through the night without potty accidents.

[Frank & TeddyToyDoodle]

Yeah, definitely.  Body functions shut down.  He might have to go 1st thing in the AM, that's normal, but he should be able to go the night (6-8 hours) without an accident.

I wonder if Kona is sleeping during that time ? 

Tiffany, how long can Kona go without an accident during the day/night (while up) without an accident ?  I remember Teddy at about 3 months could go 5-6 hours.  The rule of thumb I think is 1 hour or so for every month of age. Teddy and most Doodles seem to be able to do double that.

[Tiffany Golden]

Thanks all for your thoughts and ideas! I'm taking her to vet for 3rd set of shots on Wednesday and will ask about UTI/bladder inf... I've wondered that myself too. I'll try the Bell idea as well! Her crate size is pretty much just as big as her, but I've had blankets in it, so it's almost as if she pees in the blanket and then pushes it aside. I think I might try having no blankets in it and see what happens... even though I feel like that sounds kinda mean.. but she should be at least going 4-5 hours without pottying I'd like to think....

[Frank & TeddyToyDoodle]

Absolutely get rid of the blankets......she's sleeping in your room, not the Alaskan outdoors....LOL....she should be sleeping on the crate's pillow bed and that's it.  And only 1 toy, tops.

[Carol and Banjo]

I think you might find discarding the blanket will be the answer.   When Banjo was a pup, I insisted he have a nice blanket in the crate for cushioning.   He hated it!    I finally conceded and removed the blanket and he was a happy guy from there on out.    Maybe Kona is trying to send you a message.      Good luck!

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Think about all the time dogs spend laying on the tile or wood floor, on the concrete patio, on the hard dirt?  :-}  They really don't need a crate pad at all - as long as the bottom is solid.

[Tiffany Golden]

Good point! :)

[Tiffany Golden]

So I took Kona to the vet today and she does have a "small" UTI. I kinda think a UTI is a UTI, but anyway...she's now on 14 days of antibiotics (Clovamox). Hopefully it works for her! I'm wondering if I should also give her probiotics?...

[Stella]

Absolutely, you for sure want to give her probiotics. Make sure you give them a couple of hours apart from the antibiotics.

[Tiffany Golden]

Is it true I can just give her the probiotics I take? Just break the capsule apart and sprinkle on her food?

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

So glad you got a diagnosis.  I agree with you - small, schmall!  I'll bet your vet is someone who has NEVER had one!  Poor Kona.  Sending hugs for a speedy recovery.