Crate training and doggie door training?

[schirmer_2010]

Once I get my yorkie, I want to eventually doggie door train her, but I also need to crate train at first. We have the doggie door already installed, so my question is if we should kind of combine the training? For example, train her to go through the doggie door when she's we take her out to potty, but still crate her at night and when we aren't there until she is house broken? Does this sound like a good idea or would it be too confusing for her? We could just crate train until she's house broken, then start the doggie door training, but I would hate for her to get used to something then us change it, and her not be able to catch on. Thank you for the help!!

[BellaBlue82]

I think doing both would be easier on the puppy. I crate trained my Sasha, but I don't have a doggy door. Like you said, just make sure you let her go out the doggy door when she has to potty... she'll eventually get the hang of it! Good luck!

[SWHouston]

schrimer,

I have both (door and Crate) but, I have never used the Crate
for anything other than Transport. So, I'm a little weak on that point.

But, I have used Paper, and I put it right in front of the Doggy Door
when I didn't want the Door open. This way, one trains to get them
going to, or toward, the same location when they want to potty.

I'm going out on a limb here a little, but, IMHO Yorkies would very
much prefer to potty outside (mine do), so, just give them a chance
and I think they'll take it up on their own.

You might try it this way...
If you can close off the area where the Crate is, you can just leave
the door open on the Crate, put the paper down in front of the Doggy
Door, and see if that works for you.

My Crate, the Paper and Doggy Door, are all in the Utility Room,
and it has a door that can be closed to the rest of the house.
The door is open on the Crate, but, they never get in it, except
to attempt to hide a Treat from the other.

I disallow outside access at nights, and when we leave them at
home alone. However, in my case, both mine are very reliable
about the potty, and have complete access to the house all the time
whether we're home or out. Actually, that level of access is more
security related for me.

Good Luck !

[SWHouston]

Excuse me for double clutching this Thread...
(darn that 5 minute edit rule)

I understand that you already have a Doggy Door, but...
there has been considerable discussion on the pros and cons
of one, by some very well informed and concerned users on
this forum. You might drop by the link below, and do a quick
read on those issues.

I am totally satisfied in using a Doggy Door, but
it's not for everyone, and those with one, should be
very aware of the risks.

Ref:
http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/yorkie-products-reviews/224269-doggy-door-safety-convenience.html