Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Ok. I have two shih tzu's who are 9 months old. They are not fully housebroken and I am thinking of starting crate training. They do really well when we are home--but we just cannot trust them when we are not home. They will not hold it for some reason.

During the day this past 2 weeks we have been leaving them outside during the day while we are at work. We have a large shed that is patitioned (SP?) off with a doggie door leading out to a large fenced in area. So they are well protected from the elements and they can get lots of exercise.

Here are my questions:
1. Can they be put in the same crate? I was thinking of getting a larger crate with a divider so that they can still be "together."

2. Does letting them outside during the day confuse them if I would start the crate training?

3. Is there any advice that you can give me??? I'm desperate.

Thanks so much!!

Amber

>>Ok. I have two shih tzu's who are 9 months old. They are not fully housebroken and I am thinking of starting crate training. They do really well when we are home--but we just cannot trust them when we are not home. They will not hold it for some reason.
>>
>>During the day this past 2 weeks we have been leaving them outside during the day while we are at work. We have a large shed that is patitioned (SP?) off with a doggie door leading out to a large fenced in area. So they are well protected from the elements and they can get lots of exercise.
>>
>>Here are my questions:
>>1. Can they be put in the same crate? I was thinking of getting a larger crate with a divider so that they can still be "together."
>>
>>2. Does letting them outside during the day confuse them if I would start the crate training?
>>
>>3. Is there any advice that you can give me??? I'm desperate.
>>
>>Thanks so much!!
>>
>>Amber
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

No, don't put two dogs in the same crate, no matter how large it is. A divider would make it two crates, but if it allows one to intimidate the other or to be caught in a mess made by the other, very bad. Two crates are better for their mental and physical health.

Outdoor time neither helps nor harms housetraining. It does expose the dogs to other risks, though, including theft.
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Kathy Diamond Davis, author, "Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog to Reach Others," 2nd edition, and the free Canine Behavior Series at www.veterinaryforum.com