I am picking up my new boxer bitch pup next week.
I have read up loads on the breed and to do with rearing puppies.
I would be very interested to hear your views on crate
training, wether it worked or is the traditional
paper training still the best.

This subject has been discussed a lot if you go to top of this page click on search and type in Cages you will learn a lot.
Good luck

Mattie
Thanks.

I did what you suggested and seemed to open up a can of worms!!!!!! Blimey. Some of the debates get quite lively.
There was so much to read about that I was there for about an hour and still hadn't finished.
From what I have read I think I am going to try the take her outside after every meal,sleep, 1/2 hour etc and see how we go!!!
Thanks
Ali and Ruby

Hi Ali,

We use a crate but we housetrained our puppy by putting her outside every hour, after meals etc. Holly sleeps in her crate overrnight and is put in there when we have to go out for her own protection. We've got lots of cables that run just above the skirting boards and I wouldn't want her to chew through them.

She also goes in there when I'm ironing, eating, washing the kitchen floor etc. I use the crate in the same way as I used a playpen for the children - a safe haven when I can't watch them properly.

Fiona
x x x

Hi Fiona

Thanks for your reply. I have not actually purchased a crate yet but what I thought I would do was, Under my stairs I have a lovely area which I Can section off using an extendable fire guard. Ruby can have her toys,water etc under there when I go out. Luckily I dont work during the day and the only times I am out is when I need to go shopping or take my boys to nusery/school. At least that way I can keep her out of harms way and out of my lounge unsupervised!!!!! I have all the time in the world to devote to her and I hope I can quickly help her catch on to going outside..

Thanks Ali

Hi Ali,

That's what my parents did for their Cocker puppy 13ys ago!! Good luck with your puppy :)

Fiona
x x x

Sounds like a good idea Ali.... Yep, think of a crate as a playpen to keep puppy in a safe environment. That's the best way. Puppy proofing a house can almost be worse than baby proofing. I don't think of babies as gnawing their way through electrical cords :D
Toodles

I don't think of babies as gnawing their way through electrical cords

Eloise used to eat the skirting boards and door frames :D :D :D

Fiona
x x x

Interesting diet there... guess she decided she needed some fiber :D
Apparently when I was young, I liked to suck on smooth rocks by the ocean shore. Mom didn't worry since she figured that by the time I graduated high school, I'd be potty trained & would have stopped those odd diets.... She also said that I'd chew on our collie's hard kibble too. Don't know if that's true or that I'd even claim it to be true. :o
toodles