13 month old female Boxer...

Question
Hi Jannie! I don't know where else to turn to so I hope you can help me out. We have 2 boxers, one male and one female. I have no issues with my older male, but my female is a different story. She is 13 months old and we have been trying to crate train her since she was 8 weeks old. (I never had any issues with my male - he caught on immediately) Occasionally she would pee in her crate, but lately it's almost a daily thing. And not only is she going in her crate but also in the house!!! And it's usually after she just came in from going outside. We have a work schedule during the week. We let one dog out at a time for about 30 minutes in the morning, and then again 4 hours later, and then again when we get home 4 hours later. Then in the evening I let her out about every 45 minutes now because I do not trust her. She recently got out of her crate while we were at work and destroyed the house and peed and pooped everywhere! I couldn't believe it! We have been thinking of giving her up for adoption because I don't want her to be an outside dog, I want her to be apart of the family, but I feel like I am failing her and I don't know what else to do...

Any advise would be appreciated!
Nelly

Answer
Is there any changes in the family? Addition to the family (baby, relative, friend), recently moved, a recent change in work schedule, change in routines?

When a dog (and cat too) get disrupted, have changes in routine, they will "rebel" by eliminating to protest.

This could be the issue.

However, I do recommend taking her to your vet for a check up to rule out any other physical disorder(s).

Also, destroying things, any destruction, along with the pee and pooping, is a sign of "separation anxiety."

This is why I asked about work schedules.

If you are crating her for 4 hours, then that is not too long for a 13 month old. I never condone crating for more than a few hours because it is cruel and inhumane. Just as it would be for us in a jail.

You will need to develop a reprimand for her peeing and/or pooping in the house. You cannot crate her for bad behavior because her crate is suppose to be a pleasant place while you are at work...

Maybe try to give her a "time-out" in a special place for misbehavior. However, each time she pees or poops-- you will need to leash her and take her outside to show she is suppose to do it outside only. Don't allow her to go out unleashed because that would seem like play time for her. Leash her, take her out each time she does it.

She will soon associate the pee and pooping in the house to being leashed and taken outside. IF she pees and/or poops outside while on the leash- praise her and give her a treat.

You will need to associate relieving herself outside with a treat reward and a good thing.

Soon, she will want to go outside to get the treat.

As far as her separation anxiety-- try putting her in the crate after she has peed outside and bladder empty-- leave the house for 10-15 minutes, then come back inside and let her out of the crate and give her a treat.

Do this every day if possible.

She will soon realize that being in the crate is shorter than she thinks, and when you get home and let her out, she will gt a treat. Reassurance you aren't abandoning her is the key. Dogs with separation anxiety think they are being abandoned and forgotten. Reassure with a treat, praise, and love and attention for being in the crate and good.