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Originally Posted by R_Z  While I agree everyone is entitled to their opinion on how to raise their own dog, it should be in the spirit of this site to make recommendations on how one could and not should.
Our Yorkie sleeps in his bed in the kitchen doors closed. At the end of the day when it's time for bed, he volunteers to head to his bed and get comfy. We come in, during the winter tuck him in with a blanket, say good night and close the door. He has never whined, nor complained. We feel it's his safehaven and is more room than a crate.
While we personally do not believe in crating a dog, regardless of them being a pack animal or an animal cracker, what others choose to do is their business. So long as the dog is well cared for, happy and healthy, that's all that matters. |
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Originally Posted by gracielove When I was growing up my parents did not own a crate so we had to find other methods of potty training. When we were not home the pup was usually confined to one part of the kitchen with papers. When we were home someone was always assigned to the pup to make sure it was taken out regularly. Over the years I have found that spending time with the pup as much as possible speeds up the training process. Getting a puppy at 12 to 14 weeks old instead of at the infant stage also helps speed the process. Some people tether the pup to them so that with constant vigilance the pup learns what is acceptable and is gotten to the potty in time. There are many ways of potty training. When I had my own home we used a small room off the kitchen to confine the pups when we were not at home. Many people use an x-pen for confinement. Of course we have to confine at times but confining in room or an x-pen teaches nothing. It is the constant teaching process that works.
I understand the crate training method but have never found it necessary. I did try it once while living in an apartment and it just was not doable with neighbors complaining about a crying puppy.
I realize you don't agree with puppy pads and that is fine but many of us have found them a convenience more for ourselves than for the dogs, I think. With little dogs a person can have some conveniences. I started using them due to a back injury that made it very difficult to get around when Gracie was a pup. Now that she is an adult I have them for bad weather and when I am away. We all have such different lifestyles that we have to work with what we have.
Gracie has free run in the house and never has accidents. She was really the easiest puppy I have ever trained as far as potty training goes. |
When I grew up there were no crates as well and my parents adopted a 5 year old dog that consequently was put down because she soiled up the house all the time. My parents had no skills in teaching potty training, nor did I as I was a child. I was devastated when they did that! We'd always raised a puppy, never an adult dog and my mother always paper trained the dog in the kitchen. WHAT A MESS and the HOWLING at night cus all the puppy wanted was to be with us...cuddling in our bed. I learned as a young adult when I got my first puppy (pomeranian) that crate training was the answer. It doesn't help with an underdeveloped bladder, such as a pup under 6 months...but after that age it's a ton easier (FOR ME...) to potty train.
Let me just say that I don't agree with pee pads UNLESS one has no choice because of back problems, illness, etc. I don't agree with them in a GENERAL sense. There are always isolated reasons as to why I do agree with them, but not in the sense that one uses the pee pad cus they're too lazy or tired..or it's cold outside, etc. My dogs eliminate quicker in the cold...in the snow, rain, storm. My home is like a "den" and soiling inside is out of the question. That's what goes on here in my home.
I agree that there are a ton of different way to train all kinds of things to a dog but when I'm giving a response to a question I am only speak of what I do that is tried and true...and works. I don't agree with many training techniques UNLESS they work. I do plan to voice that opinion. I'm going to try to be more soft spoken, but in keeping with my beliefs and opinions.
It's awesome how you are able to list all the ways to train a dog...I agree with all of them. I see myself offering some of those ways as advice as well...(if I happen to fall upon a question that needs that kind of answer). I don't answer a lot of questions here as it is... The ones I have answered seem to be crate related probably because I'm in the midst of crate train now myself. I'm just a woman with answers to training questions, not an expert. I try my best...clearly I come off a bit judgemental and for that I apologize. I'm busy crate training this 1 year old yorkie that had NO TRAINING AT ALL in his lifetime and he's a wild little thing. His crate has offered him solace and structure. He's been with us for 2 weeks and he's happy happy happy
. What more can I speak of if not to offer the info I have that is making a little tiny dog so happy...and successfully so. I'm just offering my verson of progress and victory... He's becoming an absolute little gentleman.
