Kennel Problems

[Kaiya]

Hi everyone, my Kaiya is now 13 weeks old. Everything has been going pretty good as of late. There have been a few accicents on the floor etc., but most of the blame would be on us for not keeping a closer eye on her. Anyhow, over the last 4 or 5 nights, kaiya has gone #2 in her kennel 3 times. One of the nights I was came down at 2 am to let her out to go. Her kennel is not huge, it is a medium one to start, so there is not alot of extra room. This morning she was lying in her own feces when I came down.
She is completely off schedule , or what seemed to be a schedule for bathroom. She used to go #2 first thing in the am and just before going to bed. Her eating has changed as well. She seems to only nibble at her food. But sometimes she we will eat it all right away. I do not want to leave it down all day for her for free feeding, but then I am worried she will not eat enough.
She has had diareaha a few times, so we cut out the Iams treats, and seems to be a bit better. We also cut out canned food, and yes she has taken to her dried food, at times eating a bowl plus !!!
We do spend time outside, and she does go #1 and #2, actually she seems to always be going #2 everytime we go outside. So I think we are doing it right, but something is causing her to go all the time.

I am sure it has to do with eating habbits, ut maybe someone can offer some advice

Thanks
Mike;)

[WorkinDogz]

Hi Mike :)

Sure does sound like your little one has a schedule problem for sure!

Free-feeding (which includes feeding them "as much as they want each feeding") isn't something I subscribe to; nor do I recommend.

I do measured feedings 3 times daily with pups of this age. Bowl stays down for 10 minutes and then it's picked up.

Please make sure there isn't a parasite burden that is causing the intermittent diarrhea. A fecal sample to the vet would be a good idea.

Try not feeding her anything after 7pm. Allow her time to potty late in the evening right before you go to bed. Taking her out several times in the evening should help get her back on schedule and eliminate the need to go during the night.

Good luck!!!

[Vivianne]

Hi Mike,
My rotty is the same age as your Kaiya. My pup has been in the same schedule since she came home and only lately has she had the occasional accident in her kennel, so I can sympathize with you. Her kennel accidents involve #1 not #2.
I feed my girl at 6:30 am and 5:30 pm as much as she will eat in 15 minutes.
She eliminates #2 when she first gets up, shortly after breakfast, at midday and then again after her dinner. So if you add it up, she goes #2, four times a day.
The problem could be many things. Parasites; dry food versus canned; too many treats; not enough opportunities to go poop during the day.
I’ve noticed my rotty can’t hold it for more than 3 to 4 hours during the day. Overnight she’s okay. I think you’re not giving her the chance to eliminate but twice a day, so she has an accident in the kennel. She lays in it because she can’t lay away from it.
Good luck to you.:)

[Kaiya]

Thanks for the advice. We have now got her on somewhat of a schedule. She hasn't messed in her kennel for 4 nights now. She goes out first thing in the morning. She usually does #1 and #2. Then I feed her, I give her the same amount at every meal. I also close the door to the luandry room so she the focus is only eating. Then when she comes out, we go outside again, she usually does #1 and #2 again. She spend alot of time outside during the day, she likes to lie in her dog house and chew her chewie. Then at night we go fo a half hour walk , she never , ever goes to the bathroom on a walk. We always go to the backyard after the walk, she automatically goes to the back yard, and then she goes in there. Then She goes out 2 more times before bed, or more.
She has even scratched on the door twice to be let out which is encouraging, as long as you are there to see it !!!!


Thanks
Mike:)

[KattOK]

Someone on this board had a dog that 'hit' a bell when it wanted to go out. I'm betting if Kaiya is scratching at the door, it wouldn't be that hard to get her to 'ring' a bell.

My dog Holly 'noses' me when she wants to go out. I just have to be cognizant of the time when she's nosing me to understand that she wants to go to the bathroom. My bf still thinks that the nosing mean she wants to play.

[Kaiya]

I am going to try and find a bell to put at the back sliding door. It would be awesome to have her trained to that. Also very entertaining. Kaiya is soo smart, I am sure she could do it !!!:D

Thanks
Mike