[Dailydrool] Crate training

[dpmcquade at verizon.net]

Dale:
I am all with you on the subject of crates, though I may be in the minority here. I have found that a crated dog is often an unhappy dog, perhaps because I do not do puppies, so my dogs do not get an early start. Our Belvedere trained me in this early on, because, having separation anxiety, he peed in crates. There is nothing worse than having to clean both a pee-soaked dog and a pee-soaked crate. I did it only once.

Though we do not use crates, except for medical reasons, we use many other methods. Right now, my new foster, Maggie, who does not like cats, is tethered to me, so she cannot chase our feline, Duncan. When no one is here, they will be separated in different rooms. Training in not chasing cats has started, and even our alpha, Holly, is taking part, but I still think Maggie's forever home probably should not have a cat.
 
I don't say crating is a bad thing, done properly, but it does not solve every ill. Those of us who choose not to crate may be out of step with current fads, but we are not necessarily clueless. We may have to clean up more poop and pee from the floors--we just don't have to wash the dog too!
Pam, food slave to the usually crateless Dashing Bassets