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My 10-week-old puppy pees in crate. Should I put a puppy pad in?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Beagle | Female | unspayed | 5 lbs

We have a 10 week old beagle. She is super smart and already knows sit and lay down. There are maybe two or three times a week where we have to crate her due to work. She is only left in the crate at a maximum of four hours at a time. The question I have is should we be putting a puppy pad inside the crate since she can't seem to hold it longer than 2 hours? Her crate might be slightly big for her now but she will grow into it. Thanks.

4 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Amy Poole, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on June 26th, 2017

Beagles are VERY smart dogs! I think putting a puppy pad in the crate to give her a bathroom option is fine. Most dogs do not like to urinate or defecate in their crates because it is like their own den, but if she has to go to the bathroom she will. I think the best thing for house training is being consistent and giving her positive reenforcement when she goes outside, such as treats and praise right after she goes. Make sure you don't discipline her if she goes in her crate or in the house, as she is still learning and forgot she did it as soon as she walks off. At 10 weeks old I don't expect a puppy even as smart as Luna to be fully house trained. Keep working on it and she will get there!

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Daniel Fonza, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on August 15th, 2017
Thank you for using Pet Coach! Potty training a puppy can be a frustrating and challenging task. One trick I found that works well is to use the puppy urine pads and gradually move it closer and closer to the back door to the point where eventually the pad is outside. This will in turn hopefully get Ellie to want to go outside. Praising Ellie when she pees outside is also very important to reinforce the behavior you want. Using treats as a reward is a good way to positively reinforce the behavior. Taking Ellie for long walks and when she pees, praise her and give her treats as a reward. Do this over and over and hopefully this will reinforce this good behavior over time.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Maria DVM
Veterinarian
Published on September 30th, 2018
Since she is holding it when you are attending to her then I would recommend putting her in a crate when you cannot and are attending to your children. This way she doesn’t have the opportunity to go in the house. Typically with crate training we recommend when you cannot watch them 100% putting them in the crate. Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. He heard you
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Dr. Davis
Veterinarian
Published on September 21st, 2018
Yes, she’s at the age she should be able to be house trained. Puppies can get distracted when outside so make sure you take her to a specific potty place and when she goes praise her and give her a treat. If she hasn’t gone bring her in and put her in her crate for a few minutes then take her out to the potty area again. I would not have her lose in the house unsupervised until she’s fully trained. She needs lots of exercise so she’ll be tired and rest at night and during the day when in the crate. I do not recommend getting another dog since it will be much more difficult to train her and then she could bond with the dog and not you. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Zoey.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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