Outside instead of Crate?

[winky]

Hello. Thanks for all your help with my previous questions.

Is there anything wrong with putting my puppy outside when I'm gone instead of in his crate? Will this teach him bad habits (i.e., to pee wherever he wants)?

[Luvs]

Please do NOT leave him outside unattended. There are way too many things he can get into out there by himself. He is much better off in a crate where he is safe and can't get into anything.

[targonrotts]

do you mean outside outside?-no, anything can happen...from being stolen to being attacked by something to escaping,etc.
if you mean loose in the house-no,unattended he can get into alot of trouble and housebreaking will be hard.
if you don't want a crate-which is best.try an x-pen or a baby gate and just fence off the kitchen and make it puppy/baby proof.

[Canadianrotti]

There are a lot of benifits to using a crate. It is safer for the pup, easier to house train, did I mention safer, piece of mind for you, and it is safer!!

There was a dog in my training class that died while being left out because it ate a dish towel from the kitchen!! Very sad to loose a dog like that.

If you are going to leave you dog outside during the day, there are a few things you want to do first. Either build a enclosed dog run, or have a min 5 foot fence all the way around your yard, and have a lock for the gates. Make sure that there is heat in the winter, and cool shade in the summer, and that you dog is not barking all day and irritating the neigbours. I still think that the best place for a city dog, is in the house though!!