Hello, First, I would clean the crate thoroughly with a cleaner that contains enzymes, because only enzymes will break down the pee at a molecular level to remove the smell to the level where a dog’s nose can’t still smell it. Avoid cleaners that contain ammonia in and around the crate, since ammonia smells like urine to a dog and can encourage accidents due to smell. Second, check out the Surprise method from the article I have linked below. It wouldn’t hurt in this situation to practice all three of the methods listed there to break the negative crate association. She doesn’t have to love the crate at this age – most dogs don’t until they are adults, but you do want her to not be afraid of it. https://wagwalking.com/training/like-a-crate I would also teach her “Room” or “Crate” – to go into her crate on command, to avoid you having to pick her up and put her in there or grab he or her collar to get her inside. The touch can increase submissive peeing, especially if it’s somewhere she doesn’t want to go. If she will go in there on her own, it can help her feel more relaxed about it. Use favorite treats, like real chicken to practice this. To start, have the door to the crate open and practice just tossing a treat into the crate, at first at the front of the crate so she can just reach in to get it without having to climb in yet. Say “Room” or “Crate” (whichever command you choose to use, just pick one and use that one always) while you toss the treat in. Allow her to come back out on her own at first. After she is inside the crate fully getting the treat, when she gets to that point, then drop an additional treat through the top of the crate wires, perhaps even a third treat if she stays inside longer. Practice over a couple of weeks every day until she will go in the crate when you say “Room” or “Crate” before you toss the treat, anticipating that treat being dropped from above. At this point, the training should coincide with the rest of the training from the Surprise method from the article I have linked below, where you have been practicing closing the door and rewarding quietness, allowing you to tell her to go into her crate, then rewarding quietness while she stays inside it. If the peeing and distress is really persistent, you may need to purchase a second crate and crate her in her current crate when you leave for now, while practicing the “Crate” command and “Surprise method” in the new crate, until she does well enough in the new crate that she can be left in the new crate for as long as needed, not exceeding her bladder capacity, without distress. Again, she may not love being in the crate but you want to get her over her fear and nervousness surrounding it, so the crate can be relaxing and boring. Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden
Dec. 13, 2022