Crate Training

Dog owners have many opinions on the right way, and the wrong way to train, but only one brings about an argument almost every time discussed—containment training. The two sides fight over the humane issues of containment, and its effectiveness. However, dog containment training is a tried and true method of housebreaking that needs to be explored and understood before reacting to it.

What is Containment Training

Dog containment training makes use of a crate, exercise pen, or safe room to confine a dog when his owner cannot keep a constant eye on him. Commonly known as "crate training", containment training centers mostly around young puppies to teach them bladder and bowel control. It also helps to protect house, and dog as well, when they are alone. Done right, dog containment training is a fair, safe, humane way to teach your dog boundaries, keep him safe when alone, keep your belongings safe when he is alone, and creates a happy, secure pet. Containment areas give your dog a place to call his own, too, so he will always have some place to go when he needs his own space.

Timing

The biggest issue naysayers have in regard to containment training is the possible abuse involved with keeping young puppies, and even older dogs in a small area for too long. Indeed, it is easy to take advantage of the situation. Young puppies must relieve themselves every one to two hours, and even older dogs should never have to stay in a crate longer than eight hours. The situation of people who work full-time and need to leave dogs alone for full days brings up the question of how to do that without causing harm to the dog. Crates, exercise pens, or even small safe rooms are not a good situation for those long periods. No puppy can hold their bladder or bowels for that long, and older dogs need room to stretch and move. Anyone being gone that long should use the assistance of dog walkers, pet sitters, or a doggie daycare so they can enjoy the benefits of owning a dog.