Crate Training?

[Muireann]

Originally Posted by typerk

You absolutely don't have to be home to crate train. The crate itself, if small enough, puts dogs in their natural way of being. They won't go where they sleep. And no it's not cruel to have them in the crate that long especially at that age. Your dog is young though so you may come home to accidents in the crate because at that age they have a problem holding it that long. But how your schedule sounds it seems to be the only way. Trust me, he will grow out of going in the crate as he gets older. Just make it small enough for him to turn around and lay down in comfortably. Any bigger than that and it's almost useless.

Also him being in a crate will help his knee a lot more than hurt it. He won't be jumping around because he will be in a crate. How can he? But letting him run around all day he has a better chance of hurting his knee.

Your problems though can be easily fixed with a crate. When you take him out the crate just take him to where you want him to go. If he does go in the crate just clean it up real good. Everytime my dog steps into her litter box she acts like she's trying to avoid land mines. They grow out of wanting to be near any waste, trust me. Good luck.

Thank-you very very much. This has been a wonderful insight and answered a million concerns! Would you mind to send me an picture of what your crate looks like so that I know what to buy.......It is a little bit difficult for me to explain what I want as I don't speak Finnish so if I have an image that would be terrific!!!

Many Many thanks,
Muireann