Pooping in the Kennel

[Elysia]

Hi,

My puppy Milo is almost 4 months old and has pooped in his kennel (vari-kennel #4) twice now, once last week and once today. He is only home alone for three hour or less periods, and is always crated during this time. We haven't had other house-training problems besides this. Any one else have experience with this?

Also, Milo seems to HATE his kennel, is there a typical period of time when they start to enjoy their time in the kennel? Any tips for improving the relationship? He sleeps in it every night and we periodically stuff kongs to go in the kennel when he does.

Thanks!

Elysia

[Michael Romanos]

I have never crated any of my Corgis and I can imagine that a lot of Corgis would not like to be crated because quite simply, it confines them and Corgis are not typically a kennel dog. Corgis also do not like to foul their bedding or their crate. None of my Corgis ever wanted to poop inside their own property.
Before you place Milo in his crate, take him to the toilet. And immediately after you release him from the crate, take him to the toilet. Keep to this regime and it should solve the problem. Don't give him any water or food prior to crating.

[minnesotaCorgi]

Provided the poo is of a "normal" consistency and you don't suspect any underlying health issues, I would agree with Michael's advice on keeping a clean kennel.

Originally Posted by Elysia

Also, Milo seems to HATE his kennel...

Some adjustment time is normal, and not every dog will love the kennel as much as they love romping around the living room. My dog will not hang out in her kennel on her own, but does peacefully accept it at bedtime or when I leave the house. This should be possible with your dog as well. It might help to know more about your kennel routine. For example, how does he behave when being put in the kennel, have you taught him to walk in on his own with a treat lure, how do people respond (or not respond) to unwanted behavior in the kennel, etc. That might help in providing the best advice.

Happy to hear that other aspects of housetraining are going well.

[Louwants]

If there isn't any health issue, how big is his kennel? It sounds like it is pretty large, because dogs don't usually dirty where they sleep.

I'm like Michael, I don't pen my dogs up. I haven't had much problems, just the usual puppy chewing on a couple of shoes that were in reach. I have a piddle pad down just in case they have to go and we are asleep (one of us works day and one works night) or out of the house. It does quite well with the corgi, but the corgi mix is a rescue, and she has had some accidents. (Funny how you know which dog it is by their poo, isn't it?) Other than that, they both usually let us know when they want out, which is ALWAYS. I've thought about getting a t-shirt that list the dog's daily activities.....let the dog out, let the dog in, let the dog out, let the dog in.