I'm not terribly fond of crate training either nor is his breeder but neither of us could come up with a better method for a single woman that works full-time. As I mentioned in an earlier post, he will not have to be in his crate anymore once he learns that he has to hold it until I get home to let him out. But until then, I'd love to hear about other training methods that will both 1)train him to hold it until I get home AND 2) not allow him to poop/pee on the indoor floors or destroy stuff around the house while I'm at work 40 hrs a week. I can't afford doggie daycare.
I'm considering puppy pad training him since it gets cold here, but I still don't see how I can correct him when I'm not home. The crate method reinforces the need to hold it because it becomes it's own consequence if he fails (he'll have to lay in it). That's why crate training requires a very small cage.
Actually crate training is going very well. He's just as loud in the crate as he is when I go into the bathroom and shut the door behind me. And he eventually gives up after about half an hour. He's doing well holding pee but we have to work on the poo part....he just doesn't know he has to make himself go before I leave for work and he can't hold it for 8 hrs from the previous night. He's making great progress with the crate training for only 3 days
I'm happy about that part.
My main concern is that all he wants to do is lay on me. He doesn't even really want to take walks. He keeps trying to go back into the house. He won't play fetch. He won't play tug-of-war. And I'd like to sit down sometimes without a dog on top of me...like when I'm eating dinner or doing work.
All suggestions will be happily considered! Thanks