Crate Training is a kindness
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The rule is: if you are not actively paying attention to your dog, your dog is in the crate. Crate training is not an excuse to ignore your dog for hours at a time. If your dog learns to mess in its crate the behavior is very difficult to correct. As your dog learns what's expected of him, the next phase is to keep the dog on leash, out of the cage.
Our dogs are always crated when we leave the house. We don't necessarily even lock the crates, but they are available to the dogs at all times.
Dogs should be taken out at regular intervals; after meals, after naps and after play sessions. If you're easily embarrassed, don't get a dog. Of course you can use any words you want - a friend of ours used "hit it" with her dogs.
Crate training works with your dog's instinct - he never has the opportunity to be "bad.".
As your dog learns what's expected of him, the next phase is to keep the dog on leash, out of the cage. The dog learns, over time, to ring the bell when it has to go. Others teach their dogs to "speak" as a signal to go out.
All training starts with taking advantage of your dog's natural inclinations to reinforce the behavior you want. The only place your dog will not, by nature, mess, is its sleeping place. Crate training works with your dog's instinct - he never has the opportunity to be "bad.".
Dogs are social animals, they need to know their "pack" or family, is close by. If the dog wakes you in the night, take it out on leash. Don't let the dog out by itself, even in a fenced yard.
Just a note of caution and safety: never leave a collar or harness on your dog in the crate. It can get caught and cause problems.
Crate training is not an excuse to ignore your dog for hours at a time. If your dog learns to mess in its crate the behavior is very difficult to correct.
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