I do not want to put my puppy in a cage but I hear it is the only way to train them..is there an other way?

Question

When my boyfriend and I go to work we put her in our bathroom attached to the bedroom with her food, water, pee pad, toys, etc so she can still have room to play because I just cannot put her in a cage. She has to be trained so is there any other way?

Answer 1

please go to this site and read about crate training. it's not cruel. the dogs feel very secure and it becomes their own space. it keeps your puppy safe and secure and works the best for potty training. good luck.

http://www.puppychow.com/Training/Crate_Training.aspx

Answer 2

Think about all the littel things in your bedroom and bathroom. What types of things might your puppy be able to choke on? Electricute herself? Could she possible get the bathroom cabinets open and get into whatever you have in there?

Crate training is essential for housebreaking and getting through the puppy stages. It is hard as an owner, but if you leave her access to the crate when you are home and don't ever use it as punishment she will get used to it. You only have to use it until she is housebroken and past the puppy-chewing stage.

I know it sucks to put her in it before you leave and hear her cry when you walk out, but a puppy is just like a baby. You can never puppy proof enough. She will find something that could hurt her or she could choke. It really is the best option.

ADDED...pee pads will only teach her that it's ok to go pee inside. (I personally think pee pads are gross anyways) Dogs won't urinate in a crate that is the right size. She'll see it as her own personal space, kinda like a den.

Answer 3

One thing to consider is the size of your dog. When she is not a puppy, is the bathroom still going to be a safe place?

A crate is not only a very effective method for training, it creates a safe place for your dog. With time they will feel secure, and enjoy going in their crate. Keep her toys in there, give her treats in there, and she will get used to it.

If she will be a medium, to large size dog as she gets older, the bathroom is not a great place to keep her, and she will probably still not be ready to have run of the house when you are not around. Always remember the crate is also for the dogs safety too. If you decide to get a crate, put her in there for a little while even while you are home with some treats. Let her know its a good place and never use it as a form of discipline. If you put her in while you are home, she will not associate the crate with being left alone. It will get easier, and you may find she loves her little home!

Answer 4

If properly used, crate training isn't that bad... Unfortunately, people use the "crate training is good for puppies!" excuse to leave their dogs in the crates for hours on hours. No matter how safe a dog feels in his crate, it is no excuse to leave a dog alone in there for an extended period.

Anyway, I think there are many ways to train a puppy. Your bathroom might be a good idea, but it might be too big at the same time... There are many corners for puppies to leave their messes. I would section your bathroom off to a small area... Or tether your dog to a small area. Dogs don't like spoiling their sleeping area, so they will learn to hold it... and then you can start leashing the dog to you as you walk around the house so you can catch your dog in the act. After catching your dog in the act a few times, she will get it... and you'll be able to let her out of your sight without worrying! Good luck! :)

Answer 5

People are inclined to disapprove of crate training because they do not understand the concept of a crate. Dogs are instinctively den animals. Wolves, foxes, all wild dogs have dens, either caves, or small holes in the ground, or some form of dark, enclosed shelter. Domestic dogs are no different. Why do you think people use dog houses? The dog is not forced to go into a dog house, but he does anyway. It's his home, his bedroom, his safety zone. The same is true for a crate. Dogs do not think you're 'caging them', they simply think they are in their safe, happy place and there's nothing to fear. The bonus is that they don't like to potty in their den, so it happens to make an excellent housebreaking tool.

Simply buy a crate that is large enough for her to stand, sit, lay down, and turn around comfortably, and buy a nice soft bed to put in with her. Do not give her food, and only give her a water bottle if you'll be gone for more than a few hours (if you can avoid it, it's best not to give water because it may create an accident- dogs don't like to mess in their crate, but their bladders are only so big). Also do not put in any destructible toys (like soft animals) or rawhide-type chew treats (they can splinter and your dog can choke while you're away). My boyfriend has a boston terrier, and if we're home all day with him, he still goes upstairs for several hours in the afternoon, climbs into his crate, and takes a nap. Dogs do not fear crates.

Answer 6

You may see it as a "cage", but crate training is very effective and very useful. I have used it on all of my dogs. It definitely helps a lot. When you must move the dog, put it somewhere for the night, or go to a new environment, a crate is an easy place to put the puppy.

It seems like a cage, but really it's not. Every single one of my dogs have given a little bit of trouble in the beginning of training, but eventually their crate becomes their den. it gives dogs a place that they have all to themselves. The hardest part eventually was getting my dogs to come out of the crate. They loved lying in it all the time.

Again, you see it as a cage, but dogs don't. Just like a cave can become their den, a "cage" can become their own space.

Just make sure that you don't use it for punishment!! Some books actually recommend that, but it's negative to training!!

Answer 7

pee pads are only enforcing a bad habit that is it ok to go potty indoors. I have trained quite few puppies and I started out thinking that crate training was evil but I soon learned its the only way to go. My little girl has her crate door open all the time now (she is 6 months) and she likes to spend the majority of the day in there, it is not her cage it is her "den". I hope you're not renters, poor landlord!

Answer 8

Best way is to leave the door to the cage open as an invitation to your dog, do not keep food and water near cage as just like people you don't want to eat where you sleep, keep your dogs water full along with his food, dogs eat there fill and when not hungry they won't eat. As far a keeping your dog from doing his business on the rug, short of keeping him in his cage for the duration of the day when not at home, there is no real solution, just as soon as you come home , take your dog for a walk to let him know he will be taken out.

Answer 9

I have never crated a dog, there are lots of other ways to train them. Find a good dog, there is an excellent book by the Monks of New Skete called 'How to be your puppy's best friend'. Very much worth the investment and usually available at libraries.

Lots of people say crating is the only way and they are wrong.

Answer 10

Believe it or not, your puppy may actually feel more secure in a cage. Dogs are den animals by their very nature, and a den is a small place with only a single opening that is very defensible by its occupant. A crate that is appropriate ot the size of your puppy will not only help train her, but will also give her a sense of safety and security while you are away.

Answer 11

u could put the trained them just put a soft pee rag from a pet shop and a cage that u can see your dog in from all sides then when he doesn't go in put a treat in and when he's in close the door and put water in and a pillow and put a clock under the pillow it relaxes them and turn on a heater for 2 hours then after 5 hours in the night turn the heater on again