Crate Training Your Dog
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Many people think crate training a dog is cruel. Fact is many dogs love their crates. Dogs are den animals and often feel more secure in their crates. The first crate I bought for Munch was plastic and more closed in than a wire crate which she was used to. She hated the plastic crate so I returned it and bought a wire crate. Munch had to be treated for heartworms which meant she had to be kept calm and in a crate until the treatment was over. It was surprising to me to see such a hyper dog go in a crate and settle right down.
Keeping a dog in a crate for 8 or more hours while you are at work IS cruel. You need to take your dog outside at least every 4 hours. A puppy may need to go out more often. Most dogs will not soil their crate so crate training is a good way to start the house training. If you are unable to keep a constant eye on a dog that is not house trained, while they are in the house let them stay in their crate. Keep your puppy in the crate at night so things will not be chewed up while you are sleeping. Put the crate in your bedroom so you will be able to hear the puppy cry when he needs to go outside. When you let your puppy out of the crate take him outside right away.
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Crate Casters can be attached to wire kennels to make them mobil. A nice item to have if you are going to a dog show or a place where you have to move the kennel a long distance. Crates can get heavy quickly when you have to carry them.
If you have a used dog crate you aren't using, you might want to sell it on Craigslist.com There are always people looking for used dog crates and kennels at reduced prices. If you don't want to sell, consider donating it to one of the many Houston rescue groups.