If you have puppies and can’t keep your eye on them constantly, hire a dog nanny. This video is of Mac-Nanny. Mac is a labradoodle that does a great job at keeping two Maltese puppies corralled and in their crate.
Crates aren’t just for puppies anymore! Just because a dog is into adolescence, doesn’t mean they don’t need to have a safe place to be when you are away. Crate training is usually associated with housebreaking and then the crate goes out in the garage sale.
Maybe you don’t need it after the first few months; however, your dog may not be trustworthy until they are two years old. Don’t think of confining your dog to a crate or kennel as cruel. Think of it as their safe place. The place where they take naps while you are away or having guests for dinner.
If you have an adult dog who has never been in a crate, they can still adapt. Dogs are den creatures. Usually, they can be trained to enter the crate if you place their bed in it, throw in a dog biscuit as you say “crate” or “bed,” and close the door for a brief period of time so they get used to it.
Crating can be a life saver when bringing home a shelter dog. Until you know if they are housebroken 
or in a destructive mode, crating allows you both to relax as everyone adapts. If you are going away and need to board your dog or have them ride along in the car, prior crate training will be invaluable.
If you need additional specifics on crate training, please let me know in the box to the right.
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You would think that if a dog is “housebroken” and potties outside most of the time, there is no concern right?
If you use a dog door to teach your dog to go potty outside, there is no guarantee that when the door is closed to the outside it won’t opt to go inside if given the chance. They don’t truly know not to go inside when the access to the outside is removed.
Dog doors are great! They serve a wonderful purpose and allow us the freedom to leave our dogs for longer period of time. However, it is best to completely housebreak your dog prior to introducing them to the dog door. Or, use the dog door in the process of housebreaking but still go outside with them to assure they are going and not just outside for a breath of fresh air!
We’ve all experienced the “what are you thinking” moment when our dog has been outside unattended for two hours (so, of course they went potty - right?!) only to have them come inside and go. Remember a puppy can be distracted by a leaf blowing and completely forget whey they are outside!
For detailed instruction on housebreaking, check out my ebook “The Truth About Housebreaking” or send me a question using the box to the right. I’m glad to assist in any way I can.
Crate training can be a necessity for housebreaking. It also provides a place of safety for your dog and that may mean sanity for you. I often get calls about a “destructive” behavior that a well-behaved dog has suddenly been expressing.
It’s never too late to crate train. The biggest question is what behavior is making you ask this question in the first place? If you are wanting to housebreak a puppy or an older dog, crate training is a great option. You will have to use time and patience in both cases to acclimate them to the idea of being confined.
If you have a dog that is being destructive and housebreaking is not an issue, then you may want to use a play pen or something larger than what is used for housebreaking. This will provide a secure place for your dog and give them room to move around.
There are a lot of variables to crate training. If you are interested in learning more, I have written a Guide that explains the crate training process and how to housebreak any dog .
