I have heard great things about crate training - but I just could not (well, chose not to) do it. I used gates to block Kodah & Stormy in two rooms. At night I put Kodah in a laundry basket right beside my side of the bed & she always let me know when she needed out. When we got Stormy five weeks later, I bought a playpen that's plenty big for both of them & put it right beside my bed. They have done great! The first few weeks I would take them outside ALMOST EVERY HOUR during the day, and after two to three weeks they were 90% trained. We have a few accidents, but not many. This worked for me - but I get to stay home with mine! I think Kodah would have been easy to crate train, because she loves her bag that I carry her around in. I usually leave it on the floor & that's her favorite place to sleep. Kodah's favorite place is UNDER our loveseat!
I think CONSISTENCY is the biggest key!