A few days ago we took out the divider in the crate, as Quinn is getting too big to lay out. Last night we left her for two hours in the evening while she is usually dozing...when we got home she had pooped in the middle of the crate and had stepped in it. She has never had an accident in her crate, even as a tiny puppy and her poop was not runny so it doesn't seem that she had an upset tummy. Is it possible her crate is too big (though I thought that if it was, she would have an accident at one end and sleep at the other)? She also has not pooped in the house in weeks and weeks so it's very strange...she is 5.5 months.
It seems unlikely that it's because she now has all the crate to move around and spread out. At 5.5 months she sounds as if she is well toilet trained. If it wasn't a runny poo, I think I would just put it down as one of those things that can happen when a dog is crated; Quinn really needed to poop when you were out and had no option other than in her crate . Just make sure you treat all bedding etc. with an appropriate cleaner to remove any odour, but I'm sure she'll be fine
I would rather have a great big crate so puppy can stay out of her pee, poop or puke. Your experience would seem to cast doubt on my thinking but I would still rather the biggest I can get/fit. Actually, I did not crate my puppies. I had a crate but it's door was open and it was in a big pen or my gated kitchen. And I found when puppies did need to bathroom they did choose a place away from the crate. I agree with @MaccieD , it was probably just one of those things and you might find you have a few more of them, till she's maybe a year old. We did. When you are not home you have no idea what exciting things go on around, outside your house that might stimulate a puppy.
I wouldn't worry too much. maybe even the removing of the partition was a bit unsettling. I used to cover my crate with a blanket to keep it "cave like" A thorough cleaning and see how things go seems pragmatic. Any further issues a few days on?
Thanks - we have a cover but this picture was taken right when we changed the set up...we put the cover back on also put a vet bed on the bottom before bed that night. I think you're right that she was a bit unsettled, as there have been no problems since then and happily goes in to nap in there on her own. Yesterday we returned home after a couple hours out and she was barking and it turns out she had an upset tummy and needed out badly, so it seems that it was a one off the other day if she was able to hold it yesterday (poor thing)!
Glad it seems to be sorted but sorry to hear Quinn has an upset tummy. Hope she's soon back to her usual self.
Thanks- we had OH's brother's dog for a night and she got into his food and probably overdid it on the playing...she's been fine this morning!
Good to bear that Quinn has recovered from her tummy upset and all seems well with the big crate set up . She's growing up
