Crate training was best for my older dog. I got him when he was 9 weeks old, and I got him his crate his first night! When I went to work, I had a neighbor check on him the first week, and then I got a dog sitting service to take him out during the middle of the day. I tried the pee pads, but he thougt they were chew toys, so I took him outside after about a week of inside accidents.
I started out leaving him in the crate for a few hours at a time, gradually he was able to stay in longer. Now, he goes to his "room" to sleep on his own.
As far as the housebreaking, Cash & I have a schedule. Cash goes out in the morning before I go to work, at lunch, and before bed. As long as we stick to our schedule, he doesn't have accidents in the house. My philosophy is to "empty" him before he makes the mistake in the house!
HTH! |