[dannyg1001]

Im using the crate training method to house break my dog. she is a 6 month old Papillon/Yorkie cross.

She is really coming along perfectly and there are no behaviour or training problems to report (for now).

I bought her a large crate... I went against advice I was given and got her a crate intended for large dogs. I just wanted her to have a bit more space. I realised she may have done her business in one side of the crate... but i got lucky i suppose. Since day one shes never once gone in the crate.

Now im at the stage where she has not had any accidents in the house for a while... and when I take her outside she goes pretty much immediately so I think she knows what she has to do.

For a while I would take her out every couple of hours... but now ive managed to make it every 4-5 hours. Longer walks, once in the morning, once at lunchtime, once when i get home from work and then one more in the evening before bed.

Im thinking I want to test her now... I am still not 100% comfortable giving her free reign in my house just yet... i have a large open loft so putting her in one room is not an option. Shes not mastered the stairs yet, but is curious I dont want her to hurt herself!

Im thinking if i get a large puppy pen outside the crate... so she can leave her crate as she wishes during the day and play with her toys and stuff. Is this a good idea? Im not there for some of the time so cant correct her if she 'goes'.

Is it too soon for this, could it set her house training back if shes not ready?