my beagle/basset pup (6months)

Question
QUESTION: I did not buy him I rescued him from work.  I am a tech at an EC. Anyhow, I read up on littter box training him because he use the restroom in his crate.  What is your opinion on this and he bays and barks when we put him in the crate, the whole time we leave.  Any suggestions? Please

ANSWER: a litter box in an enclosed area might be an alternative to crating (though he's going to be sort of at the top of size where I'd want in any way to encourage the dog to go in the house. How long is he expected to stay in his crate? Have you worked on teaching him to go into the crate and stay there with the door open? You can often teach a dog to "like" his crate, but it does take time. (I tend to feed new rescues all their meals in the crate) I'm thinking if he's terribly vocal in the crate, the elimination may be due to anxiety (or the fact that prior to coming home with you, he didn't have a choice but to go there.)  Sandy Case MEd CPDT www.positivelycanine.com

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QUESTION: He is only expected to be in the crate when we go to work (8hrs) and the store could be as little as 10 minutes to an hour or just occasional outings he still uses the restroom almost immediately even if taken out before putting him up. He frequents the door when we are home (every 10-20 min.).  He has holding issues.  Should I force him to hold longer than 20 minutes?

Answer
As mentioned, it may be more freaking out at confinement/separation than simply holding issues. I'd try to work out a reasonable alternative situation while you work on making the crate a wonderful place. I would go out with him, give him 5 minutes to do his business, and if he hasn't, bring him in and confine him (not in crate) and give it a few minutes and try him again. He may just want out to sniff and explore, so go with him and keep track of how often he actually DOES eliminate. Also, no free feeding - give him regular meals (in the crate) to help him get a schedule. But yes, I would gradually work him up from the 15-20 minutes. Unless he has a serious medical/physical defect condition, he doesn't have to go that often. And it wouldn't be a bad idea to get him checked out to make sure there's not a physical reason he can't wait. Dogs don't like to eliminate where they eat, so feeding in the crate can be helpful. But I'd find another way to confine him to keep him out of trouble until he thinks the crate is the best place in the world. Sandy