Crate training is a common practice amongst dog owners. As a dog owner, you won’t always be available to look after your dog. This is why crate training is often recommended.
However, not all dog owners like the idea of having to enclose their furry companion in a small space. It makes the feel guilty.
Also, some dogs that might have been traumatised in the past by enclosed spaces might not adjust well in a crate.
Regardless of what the case might be, you should read this article if you want to find out other alternatives to crate training.
Ready?
Here are some alternatives to crate training you can try today.
7 Alternative to Crate Training that Will Produce Better Results in Your Dog
Hire a pet sitter or enroll your dog in a doggie daycare
This is the costliest alternative on the list but if it can be afforded it’ll produce outstanding outcomes.
Employing a pet sitter or enrolling your dog in a daycare helps socialise your dog. This makes it easy for them to adjust faster. It also helps put your mind at rest because you know your baby is in safe hands.
However, this alternative has its downside and it’s important we address them here. This will help you make a well-informed decision as to whether or not this alternative is for you.
First, employing a pet sitter means you have to open your home up to a stranger. This can be very risky.
Secondly, your dog might become overwhelmed by other dogs at the daycare. This happens when your dog has a somewhat reserved personality.
Installation of a baby gate
Installing a baby gate is another attractive alternative to crate training. With this option, you’ll be required to convert a part of your house into a doggy section.
A baby gate helps to regulate your dog’s movement and confines it to a particular part of your house.
One of the major disadvantages of this alternative is having an athletic dog that can jump over the gate. This defeats the purpose of installation.
Getting a playpen or exercise pen for your dog
A playpen or an exercise pan is an amazing alternative to a dog crate. It gives your dog the freedom to be itself and the room to play whilst keeping it confined.
Unlike baby gates, your dog can’t jump out of a playpen. There are currently three (3) types of playpen:
- Wire playpen
- Canvas playpen
- Plastic playpen
Changing the crate type
This option is for dog owners whose dogs are having a tough time adjusting to their crate.
Sometimes your dog’s problem isn’t with the crate setting but the type of crate they’re placed in. There are five (5) types of crates available on the market:
- Furniture crate
- Heavy-duty crates
- Soft-sided crates
- Plastic carrier crates
- Wire folding crates
Fenced yard
Yes, you read that right. If you have a big yard, you can simply fence your yard as an alternative to a crate.
The beautiful thing about this option is that it gives your dog an outdoor experience whilst being confined.
Effective training
You want to protect your dog from all forms of harm but you don’t want to put it in any type of confinement?
This is the option for you.
With this alternative, you’ll have to pass your dog through some strategic training. During this process, you’ll teach your dog how to behave around the house.
The only disadvantage with this alternative is that it’ll require more of your attention to achieve desirable results. If this isn’t a problem for you, then you’ve found your ideal alternative.
Fasten your dog to you
This alternative is similar to the last one discussed. The only difference is that you’ll need to attach your dog to yourself.
So wherever you go, your dog follows. This encourages dog-owner bonding. However, this isn’t an ideal option for you if you’re a busy person.
Conclusion
There you have it, 7 alternatives to create training that’ll produce desirable results in your dog. Each alternative has its pros and cons, but the decision is yours to make.
Go through all options thoroughly and decide on which is ideal for either you or your dog.
Enjoyed your read?
Let us know in the comment section which of the seven(7) outlined alternatives you’ll try today.