Crate Question...Needed or Not?

Question

Just asking, if your planning to pad train you pup, are crates/cages still needed? I'm planning to another dog in the future and just wanted to know. I live in Vancouver and as you might know, it has a very rainy reputation. No one really feels like taking the dog out when its muddy and wet...My other dog came litter box trained so I didnt have this problem. Many use the crates for potty training, then break it down and store it for and never use it again. They are pretty expensive right now costing $50 +.

Answer 1

I would always use a crate...however it isnt totally needed. I just like them because they stengthened my dogs bladders and kept them from distroying things when I am gone. I would litter box train this dog to, because as far as I can tell those little papers you put on the floor  still look/feel a heck of a lot like carpet.  

Answer 2

litter train the new pup? crate it to train. Crate to litter as an alternative to crate to grass.

Answer 3

IMHO pad training is not the best thing for your dog.  they need exercise even in rainy environments.  Just train the puppy to love the rain by giving him/her treats and playing with her/him in the rain.   pads are really the lazy way out and are good for the human only, not the dog.   I crate train and continue to leave the crate up as they love to go into it as their special place

Answer 4

My dog is almost a year old and still sleeps in his crate at nite and always will.  I like knowing where he is in case of a fire and it keeps him out of mischief.  I'd crate train anyway just in case he or she has to be at the vet's for an extended period...it'll at least be used to a crate and not freak out.  

Answer 5

It all depends on the dog, you might be lucky enough to have a dog that will paper train quick, to do this be calm and consistent. If the dog is not trained usually within about 3 weeks with the odd accident then bring out the crate. It won't look great but if moneys an issue make you're own, in the crate the dog will do its stuf were you've set out, then get rid of the crate and this should work.

good look its a hard job!!!!

katie

Answer 6

My puppy doesn't have a crate and he is potty trained now and he used the pads.

Answer 7

It isn't so much a matter of to crate or not to crate, it's a matter of the dog having a place that's all his own--they don't like messing in their den, so you're using their instincts to help get them trained.  Nor should you retire the 'crate' when the toilet training is finished.  They still need someplace for a haven.  If you think a crate or kennel is too expensive, or too bulky, try getting him one of those beds with the little edge, so as to clearly define His Area.

Generally they recommend that the crate be only slightly larger than the dog, but allow them room to turn around without stepping out, and that would work just fine as a measure for a bed, too.

As to the question of pad training or whatever, it is not an issue, since what you are really doing when you potty train a pup is showing it where it is acceptable to eliminate, so the where is really of minor import.  The process is the same, except for the faring out into the rain.

The basics:

1. Patience!  And keep a close eye on the pup, so as to catch him before he has an accident.   It helps to limit the area to which he has access, so you don't have so much space to keep track of.  

2. When he starts circling or sniffing the ground or squatting, move him promptly to the place you want him to learn to toilet.  When he does, utter your command word in a firm but low voice, and praise him extravagantly.

3. Realize right off the bat that he WILL have accidents unless you are abnormally vigilant, cause puppy bladders just don't have that much capacity.  So don't get bent out of shape, don't yell or swat or any sort of penalty, when he has his little oopsies, just clean up thoroughly and go back to making sure he goes where he's supposed to.  Best product for cleaning up is an enzymatic cleaner like Nature's Miracle, which not only cleans up the accident, but removes the scent, so he isn't drawn back to the same unauthorized spot.

4. Consistency is of the most importance in any kind of training.  Without it, your pup will become confused as to just exactly what you are wanting from him.  Also, be prompt with your praise when he succeeds, and with cleaning up his accidents.

5. Patience, patience, patience.  Just like with children, you will usually have plenty of limited successes on the road to perfection.

6. Keep working at this training until he is absolutely perfect absolutely all the time, because they do have mistakes along the way, even when you think they've got it right.

7.  Don't look for him to perfect his technique till at least six months, cause his bladder won't be fully grown until they,  nor his muscular control.

8. Did I mention the patience?

Answer 8

i bought 2 sheltie puppys five years ago and they were started  first on news paper housebraking then we bought them each a crate and we timed it when they were both in there say at first time maybe 10 mins set a timer for that many mintutes after the  timer , goes off you take the out of the crate to do its business if it doesnt you put it back in the crate until it goes potty each time your seeing how long the puppy can hold it my dogs today still sleep in there own crates in my room its , there own den.

Answer 9

You dont "have" to.. but crate training will make it easier.  Until he fully 100% has the idea of peeing in the litter box/peepad, you should crate him when you cant supervise so he's not peeing on your carpeting, or some other unacceptable spot.

Its always good to crate train your dog tho..  sometimes its just handy to be able to crate your dog at times to keep him out of the way, to provide a comfort zone during fireworks and thunderstorms, or a safe way to contain him for travel.