training a puppy

Rob and I are getting a Havanese puppy in 2 weeks!

I have a question about crate training. Our breeder thinks it's cruel but most books suggest using crates as training. Our breeder says the puppy will be paper trained in 2 days. Rob and I were thinking of getting a crate but not keeping the puppy in it - keeping the door open and letting him go in and out as he pleases so he can establish a den and when we take him out in the car, he will feel secure. Does that sound reasonable?

Re: training a puppy

honestly, I don't care what your breeder says....crate training is NOT cruel. Eventually, your dog will see it as a safe haven for it to go to when it doesn't want to be bothered with company or when there are loud noises.

Our Rottweiler would go in her cage to sleep part of the night when she could have been on the bed. Our puggle runs into his crate when he and the rottie are playing to "escape" and then comes out and runs around again waiting for her to chase him. When he does something wrong and we say BAD DOG, he puts his head down and immediately goes in his crate, we do not lock him in there though. He's only locked in there when we are not home.

It keeps your house clean and safe, it keeps the dog in check, and helps with housetraining.

Everyone's belief is purely personal, so you have to decide what you think is best for your dog. Our friends have a Havanese and she is a crate trained dog as well.

Re: training a puppy

I TOtally agree with Shana

Re: training a puppy

Me Too!!!!
Misty loves her crate and when we moved it was the first place she went, cuz she felt safe there.

Re: training a puppy

or you can just gate off a small area for her/him

Re: training a puppy

Thank you!

Re: training a puppy

We just got a puppy this past Wednesday, and were wondering the same thing. We ended up doing exactly what you are thinking of. We have a crate and put some of her toys in it, but leaave the door open when we are home. We have newpaper on the floor across the room from it. She already puts herself to sleep in the crate, or goes into it when she wants to get away from us!!! She also knows to go on the paper and has yet to have an accident. We only lock the crate at nighttime and when we leave the house. so far, so good!

Re: training a puppy

Re: training a puppy

Re: training a puppy

it's not cruel at all...it keeps them safe, your house safe, and helps them to learn about potty training. dogs will not pee or eat where they sleep.....

casey is 1 1/2 yrs old and she is totally crate trained...her crate is her comfort zone.

Re: training a puppy

i only crate long enough for them to know to go potty on the paper.
i HATE crating. I wont ever do it.

Re: training a puppy

Re: training a puppy

I agree with Shana as well. But it has to be done right from the beginning so they grow to love their crate. My toy poodle looooooooves his crate. He understands when we say in your cage at night and if we leave him out, he will cry to go in there. Its so comfy for him there and he knows its his own little place.

My other dog, tibetan terrier, HATES being crated because we never really did it when he was a puppy. He looks at it as if hes being punished with awful circumstances and it upsets him. My little one doesnt even care that the other one sleeps on the bed with us, he just wants his crate. I think its wonderful actually.