Hi everyone, Brandy Girot, owner of East Valley K9 Services, here to talk to you about “Dirty Dog Syndrome.”
If you’ve ever come home to a crate that looks (and smells) like a disaster zone, you know the frustration. You’re doing everything the “experts” say: taking them out, using the crate, following a schedule – and yet, your dog still urinates or defecates right where they sleep. Most people think dogs have a natural instinct to keep their sleeping area clean. While that’s usually true, some dogs struggle with what I call “Dirty Dog Syndrome.”
What is Dirty Dog Syndrome?
Most pups only have accidents in a crate when they absolutely can’t hold it any longer. However, a “Dirty Dog” is a pup that simply isn’t bothered by messes.
They will eliminate in their crate even if they were just outside, and they’ll happily sit or “dance” in the mess without a second thought.
Where does Dirty Dog Syndrome come from? It’s most common in small breeds and dogs originating from puppy mills or pet stores.
- Small Breeds: Because they are often paper-trained or kept in small playpens, they can become accustomed to living near their waste if the area isn’t kept pristine.
- Puppy Mills: These dogs are often kept in cages with wire floors where waste falls through. While efficient for the breeder, it teaches the dog that “going” where they stand is normal. They lose that natural inhibition to keep their “den” clean.
The Fix: Reverse Housetraining
To fix Dirty Dog Syndrome, we have to flip the script. In standard house training, you take the dog out, let them go, and then give them free time in the house. With a Dirty Dog, we do the opposite.
The goal is to ensure the dog is only in the crate when we are 100% certain their bladder and bowels are empty. This prevents the “success” of a crate accident and starts rewiring their brain to enjoy a clean bed.
The Strategy:
- The Long Wait: Spend 30 minutes outside with your dog. You must stay with them to verify they actually went!
- The Immediate Crate: The moment they go, bring them inside and put them directly into the crate.
- The Schedule: Keep them in the crate for about two hours, then head back outside for another 30-minute session.
- Track Everything: Keep a log of when they eat, drink, and go. This helps you predict their natural “cycle” so you aren’t guessing.
By putting them in the crate only after they are empty, you eliminate the opportunity for them to fail. Over time, they regain the instinct to stay dry.
Does This Sound Overwhelming? We Can Help.
I know what you’re thinking: “Brandy, I have a job/kids/a life! I can’t stand in the yard for 30 minutes every two hours!”
I hear you. Correcting Dirty Dog Syndrome takes an incredible amount of patience and a very rigid schedule. If you are at your wit’s end and feel like you’re losing the battle against the mess, that is exactly why we created our Puppy Camp.
At East Valley K9 Services, our board-and-train “Puppy Camp” takes the pressure off you. We handle the heavy lifting of the reverse housetraining process in a professional environment, helping your dog reset their habits so you can go back to enjoying your furry friend instead of scrubbing crates.
Pro Tip: If you don’t have a fenced yard, keep your dog “tethered” to you on a leash inside. This prevents them from sneaking off to a corner and helps you catch the sniffing signs before an accident happens!
Contact East Valley K9 Services Today!
Is your dog struggling with crate training or Dirty Dog Syndrome? Puppy Camp is designed for puppies between 8 weeks and 24 weeks old. Over three weeks, your puppy stays with us for five days during the week, returning home to you at the weekends so you can practice the skills they’re learning and not lose that important bonding time. Our puppy camp teaches pups more than just overcoming their Dirty Dog Syndrome!
They’ll learn:
- How to HOLD it and develop a potty schedule
- How to potty on leash AND when you ask them to
- Recall (coming when called) and basic manners skills (such as sitting at doors)
- How to settle in their crate and be comfortable being alone
- Socialization skills with other puppies, adult dogs and people (they spend a lot of time with our family!)
- Feeding routine that lays a foundation for impulse control
- Nice play habits with toys that helps to eliminate biting and nipping and chewing your stuff up. !
Contact us today at 480-382-0144 to see if our Puppy Camp is the right fit for your pup!
