I have a four yr old yorkie, Whats the point of crate training?

Question

and how do you go about it? she is paper potty trained

Answer 1

The point of crate training is to use the crate temporarily when the dog is a puppy - like you'd use a playpen for a baby. When you're out or asleep or can't supervise the pup, he's safe in his den where he can't learn any bad habits or electrocute himself by chewing on electrical cords. It also helps with housebreaking - a normal dog wants to be clean and is less likely to go to the bathroom where he has to lie in it. Hence the old saying, "Don't crap where you sleep!"

Also, a pup that is crate trained will be much less stressed if he has to be confined at the vet, the groomer's or at a kennel. And if you have to travel by car or plane, a dog is much safer in a crate.

Crates are not a substitute for training, exercising and spending quality time with a dog. I don't see any point in your doing it now, unless you want to teach the dog to go outside instead of on the papers. It is very difficult to retrain an older dog.

Answer 2

People who think crates are cruel are mis-informed. Crating works as long as you know your dogs potty schedule. Crates should not be used as punishment. A crate should be used as the dog's bedroom, leave it open as much as possible. Crate training makes potty training faster and gives the dog someplace to go when it is tired, scared or sleepy. I think giving a puppy the run a the house is cruel because dogs that chew and puppies get into the garbage, eat furniture ect. and they ingest bad stuff. Indigestion of foreign matter is one of the leading causes of death in young dogs and puppies. Also, the natural instinct of a dog is to like small, safe places. Ever see a wolf make a den in a three bedroom house?

Answer 3

Crates are often used for puppies. Dogs are den animals- the crate is not cruel it is comforting. Most dogs if they have been crate trained their whole lives go in them when they are tired, scared, or feelin' lazy.

The purpose is to protect and train the dog. Puppies love to chew and eat things. If you are not home and your puppy is not crated he may get into something dangerous.

It helps with housebreaking as well. The dog will not soil it's bed unless you leave it in there for way too long. So- when you bring the dog out of the crate you take it right out side. It potties then you bring it in. At night you let it do it's business then back in the crate.

My dog was crate trained and she never had accidents. If she did I knew it was my fault for not watching her carefully enough when she was out of the crate.

When she was around one I stopped closing her in when I went to work- I trusted her at that point not to get into things. Shortly after that I got rid of the crate and replaced it with a cozy dog bed.

If I ever get another dog I will crate train them as well.

Answer 4

I don't know about you, but allowing any pet to potty indoors really stinks. Paper training an animal is NOT the best thing either! We brought home a small dog that was paper trained, and oh my... she pottied on any paper she found on the floor.. including mail.
I have always trained my pets to go outside.

Answer 5

My suggestion is not to crate train it. I have a rottie and jack russell and never crated them. They are both very calm and they know that it is ok to roam around the house. Putting them in a crate might make think that they did something wrong and become aggressive dogs.

Answer 6

Really the only reason we put our dog in a crate is when noone is home we don't want her chewing on everything...and she will.
She's 6 months old now and not as bad...dogs tend to just lay down and sleep when their owners are away. This is the first dog I've done this with...had other puppies and didn't crate them and the damage was minimal.

Answer 7

is she new to you?
crate gives her a safe quiet place to hang out when you are not home or at night
you know what she is and is not doing when she's in the crate

for example, dogs who chew on cords might not be left to roam freely when you are not home to supervise them

Answer 8

I don't think pets belong in crates so I believe there is no point for it.