Hi, I have had dogs all of my life, but never a puppy. I now have a 9 week old Yellow Labrador. She is lovely, except she keeps fouling in her crate at night. I have read so much advice that goes against others, and Im not sure which advice to follow!
She is in her crate when we cannot watch her, when we are out or in bed, sometimes she’s ok, other times she screams, barks and fouls. We never use it as a ‘punishment’ place, she has chewy toys, a soft blanket and fresh water (not at night) we’ve tried to cover it up with a blanket, left the TV on, and tried to make it a nce place for her. She goes in and out as she pleases, quite happily eats her meals in there, so she can’t be that scared of it? Someone told us to take her straight out if she cries, so not to scare her with it, someone else said NO! never take her out when she shouts or she will think that shouting will get her everywhere? So we chose to ignore her. Now the other thing, we were told to use the crate as a babysitter for when we can’t watch her, and we were also told to put her in there while we were in here watching TV or eating ect…. well she is very well behaved, doesn’t chew, or scrounge food, so we don’t see the harm in her being out of it? should we shut her in while we are in the room too so she doesn’t associate the crate with us leaving her? I need some very black and white rules if anyone knows them please? and is there anything we can do about the fouling, or will time amd confidence sort this? we take her out for a 10-20 minute walk in the garden every hour (can’t go further, she hasn’t had both sets of jabs) and make sure she has a wee and poo before we ever put her in there, but she still seems to find more poo! we get up once during the night and let her out, so she’s in there for 2 x 4 hour periods at night. Any advice on where we may be going wrong please? or are we doing ok?
I apologise if I dont answer, but can never find out how to reply to answers (does anyone know that too? lol)
Many thanks in advance – Emma x
Thanks guys! I had thought about boarding off half of the crate, but she fouls on her blanket too, I’m worried that if I make it smaller she will be covered in it too?
Thanks again, I think we are doing most stuff right, the toilet training, timing ect… the only thing is making the cage smaller, maybe I will have to do that then. As I said, I’m just worried she’ll lie in it! Oh, she’s not from a breeder/puppy mill or anything, we got her from a couple who decided to let thier bitch have a litter before they had her spayed. x
Oh – female dog was starred out!

I’m not an expert but I might be able to offer some help. I got a 8wk old blk lab in July. I crated trained him. Make sure the cage is not too big, enough room to stand up and turn around in. Doggies don’t like to "go" in their den. Some crates have dividers that grow with the dog. You may also be able to buy one at the pet store since you all ready have a crate. Do not, I repeat do not let him out when he is winning wait for him to be quiet, and calm before you let him out. At night when he crys just let him cry. I know it’s hard but it won’t last forever, my puppy only cried for about three nights before he was used to it. You can also set your alarm about half way through the night to take her out to go potty. Enjoy your new puppy!