To crate or Not to Crate; that is the "?"

[zaknnana]

I have to "brag" a little bit on Lily!! She is doing so good going on her pee pad now!! She is 7 months old and I am almost afraid to say it but I think she might be at least 95% potty trained!! I went from having 4 down at once to 1 now and she runs to it when she has to go!!!! I didn't want to train her to pads and I trained her to go outside at first but she does "both" and the pads have turned out to be great for her!! I use the washable ones and so far so good!!! I was beginning to think she might never do it!! There is HOPE!!!lol

[no3yshhc0la]

Crate training worked wonders for me. My current yorkie is my very first dog EVER so I was flip flopping between different techniques, but crate training definitely did a lot. At night, I would put her in and she would let me know when she was awake and when she needed to go. However one night though, she refused to go in her crate.......and she's been on the bed at night with me ever since

That was when she was really young. Once she got a little older, I tried the bell training technique and to my surprise, she picked up on it within 2 days. BUT I did that when she got closer to being a year old. All in all, I highly recommend the crate training.

[Hopes Affection]

May I ask what the "bell technique" is? I can't say I've heard of that before.

[WV~Yorkies]

I wish mine were crate trained... I am running out of room in my bed..

[Ksheffield78]

I got my puppy too at around 12 weeks. He too had never been in a crate, as the breeder didn't like them. However, i work away from the home all day and my husband works half the day at home and half the day away. The first thing we did was buy a crate. He didn't really like it at first but has not gotten to where he will go in by himself for a nap during the day! (we have only had him for 3 1/2 weeks). At first he had issues pottying in his crate, so he had to section it off. He did really well at that and now is back to having the whole crate to sleep in with no accidents at night (we still take him out 1 time during the night). I hope this helps.

[Yorkie_25]

I just got my Chloe on Friday and I highly recommend the crate. Her breeder also did not believe in the crate,but after reading alot of articles on the internet and knowing I did NOT want share my bed, I chose to crate train her. It has been not even four days and she is use to going in it. Yes she whines when we first put her in it,but she has gotten use to the fact and now only whines for like 20 secs and then becomes quit. She also wakes me up at night when she has to go potty. I put a toy in there in with her also. I think it is best to get your puppy use to the crate ASAP..if not, when you do go to work it will make him very stressed and you will make him "hate" the crate.

[krys323296]

I never tried crate training although I wish I would have at least given it a try. I didn't think about the playpen. That sounds like a good idea that I might try with my next puppy. When I first started, I would gate him off in my kitchen during the day while I was at work and leave pads down for him. That was still a difficult task getting him to go on the pads. He is almost three years old and he is 95% trainied to go on his pads along with going outside. (if he is upset, he will purposely go beside his pads to anger me) I gate him in my bedroom while i'm at work and he holds it until I get home. At night, he sleeps with me and I leave pads on my kitchen floor for him to use just in case. He has gotten extremely better. We just moved and so far no accidents on my carpet. Good luck with the training and which ever method you decide to use, stick to it!! It will get better.

[Hopes Affection]

You know, down deep I think I should do the crate training... We may be purchasing one yet. SO then, a yorkie expecting to be approx 5-6 pounds; do you think a small is the right size or if one didn't want to have to buy two -would you go a medium? Initially while she's a puppy and having room for her pee pad - would a small do it? I tell ya, the issues I can create is really something! This is just so cool having all of you to lend your expertise!

You are ALL

[lucyaboo]

If I was ever going to get one (no plans to) I would want the biggest one I had room for. Atleast something like this Soft Sided Ex Pen - Mesh Ex Pens - It's A Breeze Too Ex Pens

I guess that's why I keep my pup's in an 18 ft X 18 ft kitchen when necessary.

[Hopes Affection]

Originally Posted by bildio

I used the playpen for Gus when he was a pup.

Paper at one end and bed at the other end.

I still put him in the pen when I am away from the house. I think this is better than letting him get into trouble roaming the house.

This is working out VERY WELL thus far! Lily is SOOO good. I put her in the playpen at night, right outside out bedroom door, and she doesn't make a peep all night. There is really a lot of room; she's got her bed - pee pad covers most of the flooring, and her water dish. I am truly amazed. THANK YOU FOR THE TIP!

She's just so darn cute! Like everyone else's babies too, tee hee....

[xxmxaxrxyxx]

glad to hear it is working out for you!