Skip to content

Another crate peeing question.

Basenji Training
  • Our 5 month girl has started peeing in her crate when we have to leave sometimes. She's never in there long, but when we get
    back its every time. Now I know she's doing it to protest…. so.. how to break her of it? She's sleeps in it overnight and no
    problems... and of course I try to run her around outside before we have to go.

  • Try or you do make sure she has peed before leaving? People always think that dogs are smart enought to "do for spite"… I don't and have never believed that... she might be protesting the fact that you are leaving... but really, think about if... what would peeing in the crate prove, other then she then has to live in that spot.

  • I agree I might be projecting onto the why… but.. I have had her go outside and about 30 min later she is crated... and she still
    has done something. So... this ain't about making sense... its a 5 month old puppy. Its never soaked... just a small amount.

  • Could be a separation anxiety issue. Not unusual for them to pee or defecate if they are upset.

    Do they "do it for spite"? Cats certainly do. And I don't think they are smarter than dogs. Maybe more vindictive! :) I have had experiences with Basenjis that make me believe some do, but I would doubt it in a young pup. More likely she is starting to have issues with being left alone and the peeing is a symptom of anxiety. A video camera would tell you a lot! (is she upset when she does it or is she calm and deliberate?)

  • If she is 5 months old and peeing just a little, please make sure the she doesn't have a UTI. Not uncommon for puppies especially when teething.

  • I'm taking her in to get spayed tomorrow…... I definately have them test for this BEFORE they do any surgery... same for parasites.

  • Not something they can test for (UTI), same day as doing a spay? And a bit early for a spay? I recommend no earlier than 6 months…

    But also keep in mind that a 5 month old doesn't have total control over their bladders. Also, many a Basenji have had a set back during teething.

  • @tanza:

    Not something they can test for (UTI), same day as doing a spay? And a bit early for a spay? I recommend no earlier than 6 months…

    But also keep in mind that a 5 month old doesn't have total control over their bladders. Also, many a Basenji have had a set back during teething.

    Oh, yes, agree with Tanza- too early for spay. Look up the pros and cons for your information and to discuss this with your DVM. She's just a little thing and since they usually don't totally empty their bladders, a dribble is not uncommon. but like you said, is there a why(?) distress possibly, uti possibly, and a youngster with little control very possibly. Hope it all works out soon for you.

  • I agree with all… could be UTI (though she would likely also have a little wetness at night if that was it) and could be stress. You might try working on crating, go outside for 5 mins. Come back. 10 mins come back. Also joyful and treat. Make sure she has toys or a safe chew (like kong frozen with a little cream cheese or her canned food if she gets it... just make sure only slight amt so you don't make her sick). Work til you can get up to 30 mins and no wetness.

    Also, spaying early has a lot of issues that people often don't hear from vets or even others. We have confused being responsible about not breeding pets and spay/neuter. Yes, rescues have little choice but early neutering because they should not place animals that are intact. But you can have choices. This is one of the best pro con lists by professional source I have seen:

    http://www.naiaonline.org/pdfs/LongTermHealthEffectsOfSpayNeuterInDogs.pdf

  • @DebraDownSouth:

    I agree with all… could be UTI (though she would likely also have a little wetness at night if that was it) and could be stress. You might try working on crating, go outside for 5 mins. Come back. 10 mins come back. Also joyful and treat. Make sure she has toys or a safe chew (like kong frozen with a little cream cheese or her canned food if she gets it... just make sure only slight amt so you don't make her sick). Work til you can get up to 30 mins and no wetness.

    Also, spaying early has a lot of issues that people often don't hear from vets or even others. We have confused being responsible about not breeding pets and spay/neuter. Yes, rescues have little choice but early neutering because they should not place animals that are intact. But you can have choices. This is one of the best pro con lists by professional source I have seen:

    http://www.naiaonline.org/pdfs/LongTermHealthEffectsOfSpayNeuterInDogs.pdf

    wow, that is a lot of information that you do not ordinarily hear or read about in public documents! thanks Debra!

  • Your welcome. I have seen so many people attacked for neutering or NOT neutering… I figure owners should be informed, do what is right for them and let others do the same.

    I had one owner in my last litter, almost 16 yrs ago btw (Rottweilers) neuter her dog in spite of her contract and information. Yep, only one to get bone cancer, died at about 8. All the rest lived to 12 to 14... which is superb for Rotties.

  • Think that spay/neuter is a personal decision… people should research the opinions... I don't mind spay/neuter at 7 or 8 months, nor do I mind people that really don't want to go through a season with a bitch.... can be a bit challenging... at 5 months, a bit to early for me... however, if you have a good Vet then I would be OK.... it is the "hacks" at shelters that bother me.. and cause urine leakage immediately or later in life.... when done at an early age.. many shelters use Vets that IMO are not great.. and should not be used for surgery.. they are young Vets that have not perfected the procedure... again IMO

  • I can sympathize…..IMHO basenjis are the worst dogs to potty train and crate train. Both of my dogs had accidents in their crates as puppies, and one of them ended up having isolation anxiety that was fixed when I got a second dog. They have high maintenance personalities and I have yet to meet one (unlike golden retreivers) that could just be thrown in a crate at 8 weeks, spend 10+ hours in there and do that for the rest of their lives without complaint.... but it's either psychological or it's physical - UTIs are also fairly common. 5 months is pretty young and it could change overtime. If I were you I'd set up a web cam video recording and see what happens - just to see if there are some budding anxiety issues there (though at 5 months it could just be part of the process). I think it's telling when you say that she does fine overnight but not when you leave......

  • I have never had a problem with potty training or crate training… so I disagree with your assessment. Might be true for your Basenjis, but not for mine or any of my pups that were placed. Potty training was the easiest.... Depends on the Basenji... each one is different...

Suggested Topics

  • Training Questions

    Basenji Training
    17
    0 Votes
    17 Posts
    6k Views
    caseeno8C
    I think incorporating some crate training if none is being used will help. If you take him outside and he does not go potty, when you bring him back in, he must go in crate for about twenty minutes or so and not be allowed to roam or play. Then outside again to potty spot. If he does not go again repeat in crate for twenty minutes then out to potty spot and naturally praise like crazy when he does go. The idea is to get him to go potty when you want and where you want. I felt using the crate was extremely beneficial. Chris Battistelli
  • And he is peeing now!

    Basenji Training
    6
    0 Votes
    6 Posts
    2k Views
    N
    @Nemo: Can you give more details of the situations when he pees on the couch? Well, it happened in two occasions in two different days. The first time we had been playing, we had gone for a walk after, we came back home, then I went to the kitchen to have some water and when I came back to the living room I saw him getting down the couch and voila! He had wetted the couch so I took him out right away. The second time was yesterday but I just noticed that the couch was wet, but did not see the moment it exactly happened, so I can't give many details. But I find it extrange, as mentioned, since he has been doing really well on potty training, I wonder what makes him peeing there.
  • Crate Tray

    Basenji Training
    5
    0 Votes
    5 Posts
    3k Views
    wrx227wrcW
    I did, Pat. They are both Midwest and they wanted like $35 for each plus 20 shipping last I checked!! Foster&Smith seems like the cheapest. About $57 for one 36" and one 42" with shipping. Right now I've got George in a crappy old metal one (that has a rusted tray) and Pig is in one with a blanket. I decided I better get new ones just because I don't like him in the rusty one or Pig without a tray. I went to another pet store today and they wanted $40 and $37. Crazy! Thanks for the ideas guys…
  • Plz help- will pee in his crate when locked!

    Basenji Training
    2
    0 Votes
    2 Posts
    2k Views
    tanzaT
    When you have a new puppy, there is an adjustment period… first, I keep their crates in my bedroom so that if a pup needs to go out, I am able to hear them and get them up and out... Also, did you make sure that he pottied first? Had he ever been in a crate?... They don't just take to coming into a new home and then being locked in a crate without some "crate training"....
  • Puppy crate question

    Basenji Training
    26
    0 Votes
    26 Posts
    10k Views
    QuercusQ
    Sounds like progress! I am sure he will adust perfectly!
  • Peeing in the crate at night

    Basenji Training
    13
    0 Votes
    13 Posts
    6k Views
    spitfirekrl1S
    I adopted my B and the foster parent that I picked her up from said she would pee in her crate at night if there was a blanket or any kind of bedding in there but is fine otherwise. When I adopted her we decided to leave her out at night and she also seems to be fine with that.