Feeding schedule vs. potty training (14 wk)

[Dixie'sdad]

Hello,
My Female (Dixie) is now 14 weeks old. We are crate training her and is going fairly well. Concerning her feeding schedule as reccommended by her breeder is feed her in the morning and eve. I feed her early before work at about 5-6 am. Then again @ around 5pm. I have been giving her about a cup and a half and leaving the bowl out so she can finish it thoughout the evening. So she may still be nibbling on the remaing food at 7-8 pm. I let her out to potty around 1-2 am. What's happening is that she is having accident's in her crate between 2-5 am. I am thinking that the food she has eaten later in the evening is going thru her system at that time....
Should I only allow her to eat betwen 5-6 pm and then remove the food until the next feeding or allow her to "browse" on it the rest of the evening?? Not sure of the best approach for her success in potty training...We are always very attentive and recognizing when she has to go out when she is out of her crate and inside the house and praise her when she goes outside...

Any advise would be appreciated..
Thanks

[hokisteph5]

I think it's easier to housetrain if the dog's on a schedule. I would keep your feeding schedule, but take up the food after Dixie's had about 15-20 minutes to eat. Within a couple days, maybe longer, she should be finishing her food within minutes.

[JemarsSerena]

I agree, don't leave the food out. Pick it up after 15 minutes and take the pup straight outside to potty. This really helps with house breaking. How big is her crate? If is too big, she'll potty in it. Put a board in the crate to only allow enough room for the pup to stand up and turn around. We feed at 7am and 5pm. Remeber to go out after meals, naps, excersise, training and play.

[leolaydee]

That's a bummer. My Sadie is also just turned 14 weeks but we crate trained her right away at 10 wks. I bought the largest metal crate there was but bought course garden fabric (kinda like chicken wire) and used that to cut about 50% of the crate off. I then stuffed a big comfy bed in her portion and never once had her have any accidents and she can stay in for extended periods of time and hold it. Try making her sleeping area smaller and maybe use a bed that covers the entire plastic floor surface.