If the traditional method of kenneling worked better than the grate/crate method I would still be using it.
The traditional method of kenneling is a kennel only big enough for the puppy to stand, turn around and lay down in. There is no food, water, toys or enough room to stretch out. If you do not get up in the middle of the night or get home in time to let your puppy out, the puppy is forced to lay in its own urine and feces.
The grate/crate method of kenneling is a larger kennel with a wire floor. Once the puppy is house broken the grate is a back up plan to going outside and the door to the kennel is left open. While house breaking your puppy it is never forced to lay in its waste and your puppy stays clean. I don’t want to hold a puppy with stuff stuck to its feet.
You will spend more time bathing your puppy and cleaning up the kennel with the traditional method. You may even need to clean your walls due to the puppy jumping up with waste on its paws. I have soiled my clothes because I thought the puppy’s paws were clean using the traditional method of kenneling. Over bathing can causes skin issues.
Puppies lick their paws to stay clean. The grate/crate method is healthier for your pet, less exposure to bacteria and E coli.
Your puppy will enjoy the grate/crate kennel because he has everything he needs; food, water, toys and a proper place to relieve itself if necessary. The kennel serves as a safe place for your puppy while it is learning the rules of your household. It can’t destroy or soil anything while it is kenneled. You do not need to feel guilty if you want to run an errand since your canine has everything it needs.
With the grate/crate method of kenneling you may leave your pooch kenneled for up to 12 hours. If you use the traditional method you should not kennel your puppy for more than 4 hours due to being forced to lie in its waste, no water, no food, and no toys.
Once your pooch knows the rules, you can leave the kennel door open and you will not find a puddle by the door. The puppy will use the grate as the proper place to relieve itself when you are not able to let it outside.
If your dog gets diarrhea, it will fall through the grate and won’t be tracked throughout your house. If you are using newspaper or puppy pads tracking will be a problem and your puppy may decide to tear up the newspaper or pads.
The grate is portable and is easily taken with you when visiting. Your family, friends and others will be impressed how easy it is to care for your dog.
Training is simple. In the beginning the only time the puppy is allowed out of the grate/crate kennel is when you are focused on it. If you see the puppy’s nose down, either put it back in the kennel for 5 minutes or take it outside for the same amount of time.
Do not give the puppy eye contact, talk to the puppy or play with the puppy while it’s learning where to go, simply wait or walk in a big circle if outside. When the puppy does its business wait till it has completed the job and verbally reward your pet. If 5 minutes goes by and the puppy didn’t need to go, let your puppy out of the kennel or bring it back inside.
If your attention can not be on the puppy put it back in the kennel with the door closed or pick it up and carry it with you.
Once your puppy has had success using the grate for a period of 3 weeks without any accidents, test your puppy. My grate/crates kennels have wheels; I can move it easily throughout my home. I want to train the puppy to find the grate. Move the grate over a couple of feet so it is still within sight of the original spot. Once the puppy has success in the new spot for several days move it into another room and bring your dog to it. Set your dog on the grate and let it run off into another room, repeat several times. This shows your canine where the grate is and how to find it. I like to alternate between going outside and using the grate till my dog has proven that it will use the grate if I don’t pick up on its signal to go outside. No matter where I travel, whoever may dog sit my pooch, or if I move, the puppy will find the grate.
I like a clear signal for going outside, I use a service bell the puppy can step on. This avoids barking, staring and scratching at my door. Simply train your dog to step on the bell by picking up its front paw and placing it on the bell. When it rings, take your dog outside and the next time to the grate. This teaches your dog to use the back up plan if you can not be there to open the door.
