Boxer poops in crate @ nite!

[WhoDat_BoxerLover]

Hello All,
     My name is Brandie! I have a 4 month old boxer named Harley, who by the way is the most adorable lil girl I've ever owned....This is not my first rodeo with  the lovable breed, but this is my first time with the problem she seems to have. Atleast once a week she poops in her crate. only at nite mind you! I am a stay at home mom of two awsome kids that run Harley round and round......so her activity level is quite high. I walk her a mile every morning. I feed her two cups of puppy chow after our walk @ about 9AM.
    I then put her in her crate while i run my errands.....takes about 2 to 3 hours....no problems there. I let her out, she does her buisness, alls well. I feed her again @ 4PM. I let her out about every 2 to 3 hours till her last outting @ 10 PM.  My husband goes to work @ 4AM so she gets let out again @ about 330AM.  My Question to yall is what am i doing wrong? I would understand if it was runny but its not. Should I Get up at 12 or 1 to let her out? Should i scolwed her? I feel if I did the guilt would be horrible for me.  So I'm at a loss please help with any ideas yall may have. I promise it will be much appriciated.

                                                         Thanks Yall,

                                                          Brandie

[InfoPet]

Hi Brandie,
Welcome to the boards! What time is she pooping at during the night? Is she pooping earlier in the evening during her last outing? Is there anything different in her schedule on the nights that she's pooping in her crate?

[Rhaven]

Hi - I'd ask the same questions Infopet did.  I'd also ask if she exhibits any signs of separation anxiety but from the description of her schedule that doesn't seem to be a problem.

My first thoughts are that the dog is very lucky and is on a super schedule, you are doing everything very right.  She's only 4 months (which don't forget is only 16 weeks) so I'm thinking it's a physical thing and she just can't help it.  Definitely don't scold her.  I'd suggest that if this keeps up, gradually start adding her toys and favorite things to the crate to crowd it up.   If she is aware and can hold it, she will hold it rather than mess up her things.  (Needless to say, add washable, bleachable things

This should work with a dog who is basically clean and in a clean environment (which yours is), as long as her body has matured enough to control herself.
Good luck and keep us posted,
Brenda

[doglover]

I think Brandie has not fully developed yet since she is still 4 months old. I have read that puppies 6 months and under cannot control their urine and feces yet. So, I suggest that you be patient with her and just keep up establishing her regular schedule. I would also suggest Rhaven's suggestion to crowd her crate. If she still has room where she can poop, she'll really do that. But if she doesn't have any space, she'll hold it until you let her out because most dogs don't want to sleep on their poop. In addition to this, you might ask her to poop before she goes to sleep or right after she eats. You just have to train her to follow your command for her to do that. And I think she will do just as you say.