OK, She rings a bell to go out, she tucks herself into her crate at night, and she's limited on water (as much as i hate to do it). Her water's taken up 2 hours before bed, and she's fine for 8 hours in her crate. She's out and about for 1.5 hours in the morning with a potty when she comes out and right before she goes in, with no access to water. She goes back in for 10 hours while i'm at work and i come home to a potty crate. She's usually sitting in it, so I know she's not making a potty and sleeping area in there. I've ruled out not liking it and rebelling, I've ruled out crate size by using a divider, and I've hopefully ruled out too much water.

HELP!

1 year

PS: and she did OK for a while. it may have been only a difference of 9.5 hous compared to 10, but she was for a few months making it all day without an accident, and free access to water at night and in the morning.

that's way to long in a crate for her age and size. She probably can't hold it any longer. Do you have a bathroom or room you can put her in for such a long time as opposed to the crate?

Edited: Even if she was okay that is still a very long time to be crated. I would try to find a bathroom and close her off in there until she can be trusted with free reign of the house, 10 hours is long without water too. JMO

Kristin, I think 10 hours is just too long for anyone.  I had a cocker spaniel who was much older and larger than Pepper and there was no way that she could last over 8 hours.  I think you should seriously consider finding a way to put her open crate in the kitchen or in the bathroom.  If you close the lid on the potty, she can't get into it.  If she is licking the outside, it is because she is thirsty and it is cold.  I would not withhold water all day.  I would put a water bowl in the bathroom, a pee pad, and an open crate.  JMO, but if you can't work something out for her...maybe you should move to a place that is closer to work.  I know it's hard.  I used to work about 9-10 hours away and had 2 min-pins.  I got sick of cleaning up pee and poo in my kitchen every day after a long hard day at work, so I invested in putting a doggie door and a fence in my back yard.  That was a huge expense, but it was well worth my sanity!  Sometimes,  we just have to make big changes if we want to be doggie and people parents.  Good Luck and I hope Pepper is feeling better from her bronchitis soon....Just a thought, but when I am on meds for sinsus...they usually say drink a lot of water with them...they dry you out.

Also, what do you mean she has accidents when on her walk?  That is when she is supposed to go, don't scold her for that. Sorry if I'm preachy...I just love little Pepper since she was our Secret Santa puppy and it makes me sad to think of her sick and pee'ing in her crate.

Good Luck and lots of love to little Miss Pepper!

Carol

I also think as long as the lid is down on the toliet and the bowl is wiped it's okay if she licks it, you can set up a bed in the corner for her with some toys, at least she will have movement during the day instead of just laying in her crate for that long. If not I would do the X pen idea, it's not fair that she potties in there and has to lay there too. In my opinion there are other options.

Good luck with it all Peppers mommy. when she is big enough are you going to let her have run of the apartment? maybe with the x pen that would help familiarize her with some limited freedom. I think that is a great idea. good luck with whatever you choose for pepper.

Good Girl Pepper!