I am wondering what to do to help my puppy become house broken. The breeder I am getting my puppy from does not agree with crate training. I really would like to follow the breeders instructions, but I think my lifestyle may not be appropriate for this type of training. For one, I do not work at home. I work 8 hour night shifts so, I am not there to take the dog out every so often to teach where to go etc. I feel like leaving a puppy in a play pen might be delaying the training portion (BTW... I am not planning on keeping my pup in a crate for 8+ hours). The reason why is because it will be peeing where it sleeps, play, eats.. etc.
I saw a crate called the "puppy apartment". Is anyone familiar with or has used this product?
I think I am most worried about changing the personality of the pup (because they are not caged and pampered) to having to be in a crate for housebreaking. Otherwise I feel that leaving my pup in a pen would delay potty training.
Am I going about this wrong? Can I properly housebreak a puppy in a x-pen?
Thanks!