Is crate training really the "only" option?

[Natasha]

I'm picking up my puppy in July, so I'm asking this a bit in advance.  I have had dogs before and I've never tried crate training.  It seems like everyone is recommending crate training, but I just want to check because I live more in the country, maybe I have another option.  I do have neighbours, but my yard is 27 000 ft2 and I have no neighbours in the back.  I will be moving, but I'm looking at a place with slightly more land and still no backyard neighbours and this place has a rule that you can't cut down any trees within 15 feet of your property line, so 30ft of "forest" between you and your neighbour.  Yes barking could still be an issue, but maybe less things to bark at?

Here are some possabilities:

1. Crate during day when I'm at work and at night.  I'm not really sure I can go home every day at lunch to let the puppy out.

2. Keep the puppy in empty room during day and at night.  I guess she could still chew baseboards, seriously scratch the door etc, so I imagine a exercise pen in a room would work better.

3. Fenced in yard with dog house during the day and crate or exercise pen in room at night (or when it's rainy or I guess too hot or too cold). I could fence in a small section of the yard.

Option 3 is what I did for my first puppies (but there were 2 puppies).  Option 2 is what I did with my next puppy because it was March when I got him (he was by himself, it was after the first 2 had passed away).  I don't want to start off badly with my neighbours, so I guess I would have to ask them to let me know if the puppy barks excessively when I am away and I'll start keeping her inside.

Is Option 3 really bad?  Like housebreaking will be slower?  The way I remember it, it seems that there is a point where the puppies bladder gets big enough so they can hold it and house breaking just seems to go better during that time. 

I imagine if I were a dog, I would prefer option 3...

[Traci -Bexter & Maggie]

I love the crate.  I did not crate my first dog (that I owned a long time ago) because I had no clue what I was doing really.  I will forever regret that I didn't crate her - she really never did get potty trained.  I would personally be nervous about option 3.  I would constantly be worrying about the weather (if some bad weather would just happen to surprise people), but I'd also worry about the dog digging & getting out.  It looks like you've done it before with success I'm guessing, but I'd just be scared that if you did get a digger it would be horrible to come home & find out you had a digger when the dog is missing.  If you can come home during the day (or find somebody who can help you with that) & crate, that would be ideal to me.  If not, could you set up an ex pen or gated area with a crate inside it?  While the pup is still young, there is no way it can hold its pee until you get home if you can't let it out during the day.  You wouldn't want to force the pup to go pee in the crate.  That would hurt the whole process.  Maybe have some papers or pad down in the ex pen so the pup could sleep in the crate, but get out of the crate to go pee on the papers/pad?  Those are my ideas.  Good luck!  It's smart you're thinking of a plan now!

[Natasha]

Hi Traci,

Thanks for the suggestions.  When I did the outdoor option before I had a "double fence".  The yard is fenced and then there is a section of the yard fenced in to make a dog area with the dog house.  I guess it's like a dog run.  To be honest, I've never had a digger.  With weather, it wasn't too bad if it rained because of the dog house.  I guess the dog house could be considered the outdoor crate?

I could  do an exercise pen inside with a crate inside the exercise pen for an indoor option and dog run with dog house for the outdoor option.  Then I could do a combination of both depending on weather etc.   Both areas could have a designated potty area with dog pad.  That's a great idea.

To be honest, I'm starting to get a bit worried about this and the biting now what I've been reading the posts.

Thanks again for the feedback.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Natasha, I think leaving a puppy outside unsupervised is a bad idea. There are all kinds of things a puppy can get into and I would be so worried what could happen while you are away.  I would also worry that someone could take him.  Our neighbors got a puppy and left it outside while they went to work and that puppy made the loudest noises that you could hear all the way down the street. Truly, neighbors were coming out to see what in the world was wrong. I thought it was an animal dying. I prefer crate training because it is just safer for the puppy. However, no puppy can hold it all day and someone needs to come home to let him out or you need to hire a pet sitter. Also, is there any doggie daycare in your area? I would look for a pet sitter that could come in on the days you can't come home and walk the puppy and go with option #1.  Good luck!

[Natasha]

Hi Laurie,

You have good points as well.  I was thinking once the puppy has all her shots of taking her to a doggy day care once a week.  I know of one that is really good, but it's not in my area.  I would take her there mainly for socialization with other dogs.  Of the days I work, obviously this would be the day the puppy loves the best. 

I can't find anything on line for my new area, but I guess I should stop in at any and all vets in the area and see if they could recommend a day care or a pet sitter or something of that nature.  I guess grocery stores could have flyers up too.  I'll look around. I can even post my own ad.  I also contacted a dog trainer in the area about puppy training, he might know some pet sitters or day cares. 

Thanks!

Natasha

[Mimi Linna, Lilly and Lolly]

Lilly hated the crate. It is still not her friend at 10 months and she will not go in there on her own. However, we do use the crate when we go out or when people are over. If she starts in whining the "I hate you and want to move to someone else's house that loves me" I just say Lilly No and she gunts and lies down. a real drama girl that one. Anyway. we used the crate at night until she was old enough to sleep with us and that was that. We put the bells on the door to go out (these bells are great- we use them in hotels, our other homes and at friends houses.she always know which door to go to). I just read that you will be gone all day. this is really to long to leave a puppy in a crate in my opinion. they need company. do you have someone near by that will let her/him out during the day and play with them for a couple of hours. what size doodle are you going to get?

[Mary Jo Truax]

I just brought Princess Otillia (Tillie) home last night.  She does not want her crate - but she thinks that my other dogs crate is great.  Jasper (my little Yorkie) wants his bed back.  Oh, no!  So - I guess when we go to bed, Tillie should be put into her own crate?  Isn't the dog that was there first supposed to be dominate?  I think that is what Cesar says?  I will be hanging on to every word of advice you can  give me, fellow Doodlers.  Thanks!  ALSO  - I am interested in the advice you give Natasha too & so happy you are here!   :)

 

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

I think Jasper deserves to keep the crate he has been using. Maybe Tillie likes the smell in there better or something. Yes, Tillie should be put into her own crate and there are suggestions posted here about crating. Consistency is your best friend right now and start out with what you want to happen down the road with your puppy. A crate really is the safest place for your pup right now. As far as dominance, your dogs will have to work all that out with supervision. Our Vern is our youngest dog, but he always moves in and eats first, etc. Fudge prefers to eat when he is out of the kitchen and they have worked all that out themselves. Good luck!