[ashleylewis]

I posted yesterday about my baby, Oliver, having an unusual reaction to his disagreement with his crate. I wish he was like other easier dogs who got used to it and eventually saw their crate as a safe haven, but I just don't see that happening.

Last night I accidentally fell asleep with him in the bed with me, and he slept nearly through the night. Once our other dogs woke up and began roaming the house he wouldn't let me sleep anymore, but it's the first full night's sleep I've gotten since bringing him home.

In short, I think I've decided to cut the crate training. He doesn't like it and it makes me feel like I'm abusing him by leaving him by himself like that. He was very well-behaved in the bed last night so I don't see any reason not to keep him where he's happy.

My question is, is this going to hinder his house breaking? He hasn't been using his crate since about the third day (of ten, now) that we had him and he seems to be doing relatively well, but before I brought him home I studied training techniques online for days and every site I visited made it seem like crating was the only effective way to house break the dog.

Have any of you been able to house break your dogs without crating or fencing?

I have been taking him out regularly, and he does use his puppy pads for the most part. He has accidents, but I think he may be only marking because when he has his accidents, it's equivalent to a few drops whereas when he goes on his pad, it's quite a large puddle.