How to Stop a Puppy from Peeing in the Crate?

Bringing a puppy home is an exciting day, but it’s also the start of a period that will test your patience and discipline. Everyone knows that one of the very first things to do—after plenty of cuddles—is house training. A major part of this process is crate training.

But what if your little furry friend starts peeing inside the crate repeatedly? That’s when your patience is really put to the test. Fortunately, this problem is fixable, and we’ll go over how in this blog post.

Why is Your Puppy Peeing in the Crate?

Every dog is unique, similar to how every parent is. There is sometimes a clear reason why your dog might be peeing in the crate; other times, there might be no apparent rhyme or reason. However, here are some common reasons why they tend to break the common myth that dogs won’t pee where they sleep:

The Crate is Too Big

Dogs tend to commonly not soil their sleeping or resting areas, but this isn’t a fact, and puppies specifically don’t much care about facts. Puppies are like kids, and they’re yet to receive the how-to-dog blueprint. Sometimes, the issue is simple; the crate is too big. Ideally, a crate should just be big enough for the dog to sleep inside, stand, and turn around. A crate that’s too large may trigger the dog to relieve themselves. However, again, this isn’t always the case, as dogs can soil themselves even in smaller crates.

Inconsistent Potty Breaks

Puppies have smaller bladders and need to go to the bathroom rather often. If they are inside their crate for too long and nature calls, with or without you around, they’ll likely just pee inside.

Medical Issues

Sometimes, it isn’t a behavior problem but a medical one. Urinary tract infections, bladder infections, or other medical conditions can cause frequent urination. If accidents persist despite a consistent training routine, a vet visit is recommended to rule out any health concerns.

Anxiety or Stress

Puppies are very emotional, meaning anxiety and stress can make them pee themselves out of nervousness.

Previous Crate Experiences

If your puppy came from a pet store or breeder where they were confined in small spaces for long periods, they may have developed a habit of peeing in their living area. You can factor this out if you get your pup from a reputable breeder.

Strategies on How to Stop Your Puppy from Peeing in the Crate

We’re going to recommend some tips on how to solve this problem, and we’re going to work off the assumption that you have already ruled out the possibility of a medical condition by taking your dog to the vet and confirming the same with them.

Back to Basics: Crate Train Properly

It is more than possible that crate training wasn’t proper the very first time if your pup is soiling it constantly. Dogs are vocal animals, so they do create a ruckus when they want to do their business. Whining, crying, barking—it varies, but they do try and vocalize their concerns to their pet owners before letting things go, so to speak.

A crate is supposed to be a safe space, so make it one for the dog by not forcing them inside but letting them go in by themselves. Make the crate tempting by putting inside their favorite blanket, toys, and treats. Build a positive association with it.

Keep the Crate Near You

It is best to keep the crate near you so you can hear when the puppy needs to go. Puppies do cry when they’re put inside a crate, but if they’re crying for an extended period of time, it might be an indication of something else.

If the problem usually occurs at night, your pup might just not have developed their bladder control enough to stay put the entire night. Besides, every dog has a set amount of time that they can spend inside their crate. Listen for any indications that your pup gives you and act fast. 

As a general rule of thumb, here is how long a dog can be left in a crate:

• 8–10 weeks old: 30–60 minutes

• 11–14 weeks old: 1–3 hours

• 15–16 weeks old: 3–4 hours

• 17+ weeks old: 4–6 hours

Establish a Consistent Potty Routine

Pups are eager to please and need a routine to control their relentless curiosity. So, it's best to create a consistent potty schedule, wherein you take your pup out:

• First thing in the morning

• After meals

• After naps

• Before bedtime

• Every 2–3 hours (depending on their age)

Consistency is key, so keep doing so and reward your puppy with praise, pets, and treats. Over time, your puppy will learn when and where it’s appropriate to go.

Properly Clean the Crate

Dogs have a tendency to pee in places where they have already peed before. It is a type of territorial marking behavior. So, if an accident happens, you want to absolutely scrub down the crate and get rid of any stains or smells.

Remove the Bedding

If accidents seem to not stop, remove the bedding from your dog’s crate. No, this isn’t a form of punishment. Dogs like to hide their business, and bedding provides an excellent cover—well, in their minds. So, it's best to remove the bedding for some time and hope your dog makes the connection that if they pee or poo now, they’re going to have to lie in it, which isn’t something they should do, ideally speaking.

Conclusion

Stopping a puppy from peeing in the crate isn’t easy and is quite a test of one’s patience and ability to stay consistent. Do not lose your cool during the process, as punishment doesn’t work for dogs. Notice their patterns, try to address any medical issues, take care of your dog’s mental health and follow a structured training approach. Eventually, they’ll learn to associate the crate with security and relaxation rather than a place for accidents.