Pooping in crate - why?

[jennymac]

Our basenji mix (Sophie) is 7 months old. She is crate trained and stays in the crate when we are not at home. She sleeps on a dog bed in our room at night.

Since we put up our Christmas tree yesterday and moved her crate about 15 feet to the other end of the room, she has pooped in her crate the last two times we have left for 4-5 hour periods. Before we left, we took her out to do her business and she is on a normal eating schedule. No new toys or blankets in the crate either - only change is the location of the crate.

We have come home and had to do the whole bath and crate cleaning thing. It's odd - she's only pooped one other time in her crate and only a couple of isolated incidences in the house at all - I would say she is 99% house trained.

No other pets or children in the home. Just us two.

Any ideas…? We are hoping this isn't a trend and if it is we want to nip it in the bud quickly!

Thanks.

[sharronhurlbut]

Have you tried moving the crate back to the original spot to see if this pooing stops?

[tanza]

Since this started when you moved the crate, I would say this certainly has something to do with it….

[jennymac]

It is back in its original location and the christmas tree is blocking the front door. We shall see if this does the trick. We will give an update later tonight. Thanks!!!

[jennymac]

She spent four hours in the crate and no accidents. Who knew that 15 feet would cause such stress???

[jessi76]

my dog was just as picky once upon a time. first we tried the crate in our 4-season porch… no. then we tried livingroom... no. then we tried dining room... no. finally we had a winning location.. smack dab in the middle of the kitchen. lol. I put a nice piece of wood on top and viola... a table. beggars can't be choosers, right? I say if you have a happily crate trained B, let the crate be where it needs to be. glad to hear moving it back solved the problem!

[snorky998]

@jessi76:

my dog was just as picky once upon a time. first we tried the crate in our 4-season porch… no. then we tried livingroom... no. then we tried dining room... no. finally we had a winning location.. smack dab in the middle of the kitchen. lol. I put a nice piece of wood on top and viola... a table. beggars can't be choosers, right? I say if you have a happily crate trained B, let the crate be where it needs to be. glad to hear moving it back solved the problem!

OMG!! I'm laughing my butt off…re: "viola... a table". We do what we have to do for these brats!!

Thanks for the laugh!!

[jennymac]

Today was a "green light" as well - no poop while we were at work. Woo Hoo!

[bellabasenji]

Congrats… Now you have a happy Basenji and a tree smack dab in front of your front door!!! LOL What we do for these little beasties...:rolleyes: