[lchawboldt]

We have a 15 week old puppy. I am home all day so the only time the pup is in the crate is at night-we normally put her to bed at about 10:30 and she wakes up around 5am to go out. She does not mess in her crate at night. She does however if I put her in a crate while I step out to run and errand-even if I am only gone for an hour. I make sure that I put her out to use the bathroom prior to leaving the house.
We thought that it may be because we have a crate that she sleeps in and a crate that we have in the kitchen for her for is we step out during the day. However- no matter what crate we put her in during the day she pees.

Any ideas or suggestions on what we can try or what we may be doing wrong.

[piratekitty]

Heres a couple things you might try. Always clean the crate that she pees in so there is no smell to her. Are the crates both the same size, or is the one that she is in during when you are gone bigger. A crate should be just big enough for the dog to stand and turn around, not very big. If you have a crate thats too big that gives them the room to soil in there. You might try taking her out just be fore you go, and make sure she goes, reward. You also might put her sleeping blanket or bed in there till she understands this is the same as her sleeping area. and when you do return and shes done go take her out to potty and reward right away. she should pick this up as this is good behavior. and when you praise go over board, happy , happy , happy.
Shes small yet and is learning. I know when I was training mine I had to get up one more time at night then what your doing, so she is doing really good.
Good luck.

[dogs rule]

Is your pup a small breed or large. Makes a difference on bladder size.
Also is she just peeing when your gone or does she poop too.
If its just pee, then maybe she is a bit nervous about being alone. 13 weeks is still very young.
Try some of the suggestions that piratekitty gave you, her blanket in the crate is a good one, but also try putting on a radio when you leave, so the house isn't in total silence. This worked for me, as my dogs are use to a lot of goings on during the day.
With the radio on they hear the voices and music playing, which in my house is very normal.

[bigpawsup]

You've received some good ideas here. Maybe only use one crate until she is fully house trained? I've seen dogs that think on is ok to soil in one crate but not another.

Also, as far as leaving something on when you are gone. My dogs are fine as long as I leave the TV on. Turn it off, and they will whine and cry.

Best of luck with the baby.