Crate training is not crating your dog for 18 hours a day. You really do need someone to be home to crate train, or you have to have someone let the dog out. Putting the dog in a crate and then leaving for 8 hours is in not "training"
The alternative that was given also requires someone be home. I would actually suggest a combination of the two methods.
When we go out the dogs get crated. We rarely leave for more than a few hours. It's safer. They *are* more relaxed - would you rather the dog be barking in the window the entire time? Loki loves his crate and for him it's time a take a nap. Sammy is getting used to hers - she was never crated at her old home. Trust me, it is a wonderful thing to be able to go take a shower or run to the grocery store and know that your puppy will not pee on the floor.
Also, crate training DOES work for housetraining and it is so much more than that as well. Loki is completely housetrained and Sammy is getting there. Crates are a *tool* and if used properly they work. |