Why Is My Dog Urinating in the Crate?

You've been trying to get your dog to adopt the crate as his own safe, comfortable domain. Finally, you feel confident enough (and you believe it has acclimated enough) for you to leave the dog in its crate when you go to work. When you come home, however, you find it stressed because it urinated in its special place. Or maybe your dog has been crate-trained for eight years and suddenly starts urinating in its crate for no visible reason. Figuring out the cause of the urination will help you determine an appropriate solution for keeping your pet dry when you're away.

  1. She Came From a Pet Shop

    • Pet shops and puppy mills confine dogs 24/7. They eat, sleep and eliminate in their pens. Consequently, they've never had a chance to eliminate anywhere else, according to the Veterinary Partner website, so when you bring the dog home it thinks that it just can relieve itself through the cage wiring. Unlike crate training where you teach your dog to eliminate outside instead of in the crate, pet shop dogs have never learned to go anyplace else except in the cage.

    He's a Puppy

    • Puppies can hold their bladders and bowels for a half-hour to three or four hours depending on their age. Be sure you do not leave your puppy in his crate any longer than he can "hold it" according to the Veterinary Partner website. If you have to be gone longer than it can wait, try positioning the crate so that it opens into the bathroom and leave newspaper on the bathroom floor so that the puppy has a place to sleep as well as a place to eliminate.

    She's Old

    • According to the Purina website, old dogs drink excessive amounts of water and often cannot control their bladders. Other causes of urination in old dogs include spondylosis, which is when bone spurs or bony growths appear along the spine of the dog, causing paralysis in the affected locations, according to the Aquatic Community website. While there is no cure for spondylosis, chiropractic treatments or acupuncture can help lessen frequent urination, according to the Dog Aware website.

    He's Stressed

    • Some dogs simply don't like to be confined to a crate. Crate stress can result from misguided dog owners thinking their dog believes its crate is a den and therefore calls it "home," says the Veterinary Partner site. Or you might have yelled at or punished your dog in the crate, which can keep him from returning to it. While crates do not work for all dogs, try rehabilitating your dog to its crate if a stressful experience caused the wariness. Be sure to exhibit a cheerful attitude when you put it in the crate and give him toys and treats in it, too.

    She's Spayed

    • Spayed females often experience a hormonal imbalance that cause them to "leak," says the Purina site. Even though your vet can prescribe medications to strengthen her bladder, try eliminating grains from your dog's diet, according to the Dog Aware site, and instead giving her fresh foods. Avoid parsley and celery, however, as these may cause increased urination.