Thanks ChrisAK but we've tried that...... we've cleaned the area several times, and he doesnt always do it in the same place. And we always take him out until he goes.... we always wait outside for him to be done, and then we praise him... we give him a dog treat for going. And he always tells us when he has to go. Also, we always take him out at about 10:30pm, right before we all go to bed. As for the crate; we don't only use it for punishment, in fact he sleeps in there all the time... we leave the door open for him. Thanks