House-Training and Crating
Question: Hi Sonia, Do you have any ideas for crating our Maltese at night and during the day for work? In the evenings, we crate our 7 month old after he has pottied out doors but he wakes up most nights around 3:30 am and then again at 5:30 am. I have been doing this for months. If I don’t get to him, he will pee in the crate. It’s the same during the day when we’re at work. I leave at 7 am. Prior to that, he is walked and he goes the bathroom twice. I put him in the crate and leave. My daughter takes him out at 11 am and he is soaked. Bedding, everything, has to be washed every day. I get home at 1:30 pm just in time for him to go again. I am so frustrated!
Answer: I am certainly sympathetic about the lack of sleep! You certainly do not need to keep getting up at 3:30 am to let out a 7 month old. At this point, barring any medical problems, we are dealing with a habit. Granted, it will not be easy to break the habit, but definitely possible.
First, be sure there’s nothing medically wrong that is causing this problem, like urinary tract infection. Once you are sure of that, start with the crate. Make sure that his crate is only big enough for him to get up, turn around and lay down again. Next, remove all bedding. This will not be permanent, but is important for him to break the habit.
In addition, he must also be crated for the same times over the weekend. Dogs’ biological clocks don't understand us changing the schedule. The more strict you can be about his routine, the better. I would also crate him in the afternoon for a couple of hours. This way, he does not get to have the whole afternoon and evening out of the crate and then possibly throw a temper tantrum in the crate later.
You can put toys in the crate to make it more welcoming (resist the bedding for now.) I would also feed him in his crate. If he doesn't eat, take it away. Most dogs, like children, will only skip one maybe two meals before they give in to a new routine or rule.
Lastly, push the time you get up. Try waiting until 3:45 am, then get up. If that is too long, try 3:40. Your goal is to make the time you get up later and later, until you reach your ideal time. It does take time, and some gritting of the teeth, but it works. Good luck!
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