Crate training

[CherishedChins]

Okay.... controversial topic here I know, but worth its weight in gold.

I use crate training as a method to housebreak my puppies and it is wonderful. I have heard many say it is cruel, but I disagree. Of course, I do not leave my dogs in it for 10-12 or more hours. When I worked full time I would put the puppy in the kennel in the am and the hubby would let them out at lunch. Since dogs have a natural denning instinct they will normally not urinate or deficate where they sleep. So, when you let them out and take them straight outside they associate the outside with where they potty. I have had great success with this method. Wayyyy better to me than paper training.

[MistyMeanor]

I do believe in crate training if it seems to work well for you. My best friend does it with her dog and it worked, and he is ready at night as soon as crate is opened to turn in for the night.

Unlike my brother that works all the time and would leave his dog in for hours, and then get mad when they would lose it when let out before he could make it outside.... GRRRRRRR!!!

[CherishedChins]

Those are the unfortunate cases. Most people don't realize that puppies do not achieve full bladder and bowel control until about 9 months of age.

I have a neighbor who does not work and her 8 dogs still stay in kennels almost all day...... it irritates me to my core.

[CTChin]

I just found this post....Go crate training! I wouldn't do it any other way. Yes, It CAN be abused, and shame on those people who do, but used properly it can be a life saver. I believe fewer dogs would end up at the pound for housesoiling if they were crate trained.

[GeistHexe]

Oh I agree! All my pups are crate trained, potty trained and leashed trained before they leave my home. If they pick up there pup between 7 to 9 weeks I do not train as they are just to young. But most of the time the pups stay w/ me until they are 12 weeks old. They are then trained to crates, potty trained and have a collar and leash on them and being walked around the house and back yard. They know how to sit and lay down all in play of course cuz they are to young for obedience.
I am sorry to say but you are wrong about bladder, and bowel control being at 9 months they learn to control them about 4 to 5 months old; the trainer that taught me to train dogs says that when a dog is 6 months old they are in control and good age to start full obedience training. As dogs I have trained from rescues to my own pups have learned to control, but it is in the eating habit you start them on as well on what you feed. Females don't know how to control from peeing sometimes do to being excited, scared, or nervous. It is the way female dogs are, this can go one until they are 3 yrs depending on what the problem is. As for male dogs have a bit more control over that. bowels well all dogs will go poo if they have not been trained at any time but keep this in mind "a dog will no go potty in it home area" so a crate if trained that is where it will sleep will not go potty in it inless it is out of there control meaning left in way to long. Anyone would go if they were left somewhere to long.