PAPER TRAINING VERSUS CRATE TRAINING - WHICH IS RIGHT FOR YOU AND YOUR DOG?

1.0 PAPER TRAINING VERSUS CRATE TRAINING - INTRODUCTION
In this article, we are going to briefly describe two effective methods of potty-training your dog.

These methods are known as

Crate Training and
Paper Training

Afterwards, we are going to provide you with a guideline (that you can use) to help you decide on the question of "Paper Training Versus Crate Training - Which Method is right for you and your dog.

This post is a first of a series of four (4) posts that will be posted on the subject of "Potty-Training your Dog or Puppy".

The remaining three posts (which are also articles up on Squidoo) are listed below.

a. How Do You Start Crate Training Your Dog - The First Day?
b. How Do You Crate Train Your Dog - After the First Day?
c. How Do You Paper Train Your Dog?

SOME THOUGHTS AND WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT:
The thought of having to potty-train your dog sounds like a terrible and daunting task for the new (and especially first-time) dog owner.

However, if you have a "can-do" attitude and are consistent in following the instructions that are laid out in this series of articles then (before you know it) your new pet will be potty-trained.


2.0 PAPER TRAINING VERSUS CRATE TRAINING - WHAT IS CRATE TRAINING?

In Crate Training, you are operating under two principles.

Principle # 1: That you want your dog to use the "toilet" outside that there is a "designated toilet area" where you would like for the dog to do this, and

Principle # 2: Whenever you do not want your new dog to relieve him/herself, you confine him/her to a small kennel (or crate).

In this case, your dog is to remain in the crate at all times, unless you are in direct supervision of the dog (e.g., while he/she is eating, being groomed or is playing or being petted by you).

This also means that the dog sleeps in the crate as well.

In "Crate Training" you are operating under the theory that "a dog does not like to relieve him/herself wherever he/she sleeps."

Hence, whenever you confine a dog inside the crate the dog will instinctively "hold it" until he/she is let out of the crate - provided you don't leave the dog inside the crate too long.

In other words, by putting your dog in the crate, you are (in essence) controlling when he/she will relieve him/herself.

Whenever you let your dog out of the crate, then you need to quickly take your dog out to the "designated toilet area" (outside) where he/she can relieve himself.


3.0 PAPER TRAINING VERSUS CRATE TRAINING - WHAT IS PAPER TRAINING?

In "Paper Training" you are training your dog to "use the toilet" inside your home but only on newpaper that has been placed on the floor in the "designated toilet area" indoors.

You are having the dog relieve him/herself on newspaper because it is inexpensive, readily available, highly absorbing and can easily be removed and discarded (along with the waste material).

4.0 PAPER TRAINING VERSUS CRATE TRAINING - WHICH FORM OF TRAINING IS RIGHT FOR YOU AND YOUR DOG?


Now that you have some idea as to what Paper Training and Crate Training are, we will now give you some guidelines so that you can choose between "crate training versus paper training" for your dog.

4.1 PAPER TRAINING VERSUS CRATE TRAINING - WHEN YOU SHOULD CHOOSE CRATE TRAINING?
You should opts for "Crate Training" if any of the following statements apply to you and your situation.

You have a medium to large size dog
Paper Training is NOT recommended for Medium to Large Size Dogs.

These types of dogs generate entirely too much waste products for your newspaper and you to deal with.

You are able to devote the time required to supervise your new dog (or puppy) during the first few weeks of Potty-Training.
You are able to be around and let your dog out of the crate at 2 to 3 hour intervals, and carefully supervise your dog's activities whenever he/she is out of the crate.

If you think that Crate Training is right for you and your dog, then you can go ahead and get detailed information on how to start Crate Training your dog/puppy by clicking here.


4.2 PAPER TRAINING VERSUS CRATE TRAINING - WHEN YOU SHOULD CHOOSE PAPER TRAINING?
You should opts for "Paper Training" if any of the following statements apply to you and your situation.

If you do NOT have easy access to a yard (or grassy area) from the inside of your home. This would apply if you live in a "High-Rise" Apartment complex, for example.

If it is NOT easy for you to take your dog outside (for other reasons)
This would apply if you are elderly or ill, or have other physical limitations in taking your dog out to an "outside toilet area".

You have a full-time job or some other time-consuming commitment (which you can't get out of) and prohibits you from devoting the time required to supervise your dog for crate training.

You have a small dog.

NOTE: Paper Training is NOT appropriate for Medium to Large Size dogs.

These types of dogs simply generate entirely too much waste product for the newspaper and for you to deal with.

If you believe that "Paper Training" is right for you and your dog, then go ahead and get detailed information on "How to Use Paper Training" by clicking here.


4.3 PAPER TRAINING VERSUS CRATE TRAINING - CAN YOU DO BOTH FORMS OF POTTY TRAINING FOR YOUR DOG?
In a word "No". Crate Training and Paper Training are "mutually exclusive" in the sense that (in crate training, you're training yoru dog to "do everything" outside; and in paper training, you are training your dog to do "everything" inside, but on newspaper.)

Further, if you are interested in getting your dog "potty-trained" as quickly as possible (which most dog owners are), then I strongly recommend that you pick one training method and stick with it.

Attempting to train your dog with both methods (at the same time) will result in confusing your dog and will certainly slow the process of getting him/her potty trained.