Crate/Housetraining

We have a new 8-week-old JR in a two-bedroom townhome. She is usually left alone for a maximum time of 2-3 hours during the day, during which we have been leaving her in her crate. In housebreaking the puppy, we began by confining her to the crate for short periods and taking her outside immediately to eliminate. This has been working well in her housetraining. However, we are now reading that she should not be kept in the crate for long periods of time. We take her out often and play with her, and we put treats and toys in there with her, but she is reluctant to go in the crate on her own. Once she is inside for a few minutes, she is fine and even plays and sleeps. We can even sometimes open the door and she will stay in there. Are we doing this right, or should we be taking other steps concerning the crate? Should we be locking her in there when we are home, or should we leave it open all the time and make her go in on her own? Any suggestions you would have would be helpful, because we are first time puppy and first-time JR owners.

• Re: Crate/Housetraining Jan 01 (0)