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Crates VS. X-pens :confused: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! |
I'm using an x-pen for the first time and I really like it. I have 2 new yorkie pups and they have never gone any where except on the pee pad while in the x-pen. We're still working on them using the pads when I let them loose in the kitchen. Sometimes they use the pad and other times not but I know it's just going to take time. I have to watch their every move. It's also nice knowing they have access to food and water when I'm not home. Good luck!!! |
If you want your pup to use pee pads then I think that an xpen would work out just fine for you, if you want an outside potty only dog I think that the crate would work better. The crate gives less space and would help teach bladder control whereas the xpen with pee pads allow the dog to potty at will, but will hopefully help the pup learn to use the pads. Does any of this make sense? |
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I agree with this assessment..... |
I use the x pen with Morgan but he uses both the puppy pads and goes outside |
I'm away from home for about 9 hours during the week days, so I have set up and ex-pen for my Maxi, with a pet loo (artificial grass potty), and when he is in teh ex-pen he always uses the pet loo... I also trained him to ring a bell to tell him he needs to and then I take him outside, so when my husband and I are home Maxi rings the bell to go potty outside. He hasn't had any accidents for about two weeks (he's only 4.5 months). Good luck! |
Unless you can take the puppy out every hour, you really can't crate train. Puppies can hold it longer during the night, urine production slows down, but a young pup will only hold it two or three hours at night. You could keep it in a crate overnight and take it outside every few hours, and during the day keep it in the x -pen with plenty of pee pads. When you get home from work, you could take it outside and reward it for going pee. Pee pads are a great convenience for humans, and if you are going to be gone for long periods of time, there really are necessities. |
this is just my opinion but i think 8 or 9 hours in a crate during the day is way too long... at night is different because they are sleeping anyway. for daytime a better option would be an ex pen.. |
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Thanks for the input. This is why I am wondering if the "Pet Apartment" is a good idea. Here is the link Puppy Apartment This combines the idea of crate training without fully restricting them to hold it. What do you think about this as an alternative to keeping my pet in a x-pen? |
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I can always in the future train my do to only go outside, right? Maybe when they have more bladder control at 6-7 months? |
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My idea was not to leave him in a crate for that amount of time. I saw a product called "Puppy Apartment" it is a spin on the idea of crate training because the dog can cross over and use the pee pads. Please take a look and give me your feedback. I posted a link in another response. Thanks! |
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I think potty pads are a necessity for any full-time working dog owner. You said you are away from home 9 hours on work days. Do you not use the restroom from the time you leave home until you return? Could you easily 'hold it' all day, everyday? What about times you stop at the store on your way home, or go out to dinner right after work with friends/co-workers? Or what about when the unexpected happens....accident on the road/highway or your own car breaking down/flat tire, etc., delays your return home? Personally, I think it's cruel to expect a dog to hold it that length of time. Potty pads are a great solution for small dog owners, who for safety reasons, can't install a doggie-door for their pup to use while they are gone frome home. |
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